DHL eCommerce UK announces the opening of a new £7m facility in Camberley. The site is the first operationally carbon-neutral site in the DHL eCommerce UK network and is powered almost entirely by solar energy.
The building has obtained the highest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, A+, thanks both to the onsite renewable energy generation as well as IoT technology to minimise energy use, low-use water appliances and submeters and the use of equipment and materials throughout with low embodied carbon.
In instances when weather conditions necessitate the use of grid electricity, the site will source renewable energy.
The 3,000 sqm site will handle 10,000 parcels a day and features ten electric van charging points.
Camberley is the latest development to come from DHL’s £482m investment in its UK infrastructure to deliver sustainable growth. DHL will be opening its second hub in Coventry in the coming months, significantly increasing volume capacity and setting a new benchmark in eCommerce automation.
Stuart Hill, CEO DHL eCommerce UK, says: “The new Camberley site really demonstrates how our UK investment is being put towards sustainable growth, it’s a blueprint for the industry. With our Coventry Hub opening soon, we’re expanding capacity and enhancing service levels all across the country.”
The Camberley site has been built with employee wellbeing in mind and features biophilic design principles to improve employees’ connectivity to the natural environment, including a living wall in the lobby. In addition, employees have access to EV charging and a sustainable cycle shed to encourage employees to opt for sustainable travel.
Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) has started work on a new e-commerce centre located close to Dubai World Central (DXB) Airport.
The new facility will provide fulfilment and distribution services and is located in dedicated e-commerce area EZDubai, which offers exemption from customs clearance procedures within bonded logistics corridors.
It will offer 23,000 sq m of warehousing equating to around 45,000 pallet positions when it opens in the second quarter of 2025.
“With the development of this new e-commerce fulfilment centre, Kuehne+Nagel continues to show commitment to the UAE and Dubai, supporting one of the fastest growing economies globally,” said Lee I’Ons, Gulf Co-operation Council cluster managing director at K+N.
“The new facility brings our customers ‘ease of doing business’ in Dubai and across the region.”
Mohsen Ahmad, chief executive of the logistics district, Dubai South, added: “We are pleased to witness the groundbreaking of Kuehne+Nagel’s new facility, which will be of great added value to the logistics sector.
“We are committed to reinforcing the company’s expansion and growth, via our advanced services and solutions, and to contribute to Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub.”
The new facility is the forwarder’s second project announced in Dubai over the last year.
In December, the company announced it would operate social enterprise IDA Foundation’s healthcare hub for the Middle East and Africa region, located in Dubai.
The new IDA Foundation hub is located at the K+N facility at Dubai South and will serve as a centralised kitting and global health logistics centre for the region and beyond.
A sustainable warehousing development, known as the ‘Rhenus Campus,’ was officially opened in a launch ceremony in April, by third-party logistics (3PL) provider Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK.
The campus reaches high levels of sustainability by being certified “BREEAM Outstanding”. It is setting new standards for environmental protection, helping Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK to put sustainability at the forefront of its operations.
Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK, which won the 2023 UKWA Award for Excellence in Sustainability, and Baytree are committed to pioneering environmental and social advancements associated with logistics buildings and creating new benchmarks in the sector.
The ‘Rhenus Campus’ is home to two warehouses, measuring one million square feet across 64 acres. The first warehouse is 210,000 square feet, whereas the second warehouse totals 771,000 square feet.
Significant reductions in whole-life carbon are being achieved, such as the CLT timber floors having 64 percent lower embodied carbon than a standard floor. Three air source heat pumps, enough to heat and ventilate the campus offices and provide frost protection for the warehouses, and 80 electric car charging points have been installed.
Renewable energy is being generated on-site via 2,288 415-watt solar panels, which give a total system size of over 949 kWp (kilowatt peak). The system will feed an estimated 870,000 kWh per annum into the campus – the equivalent power consumption of approximately 250 homes for a year.
DP World, a leading global provider of smart end-to-end supply chain solutions, has commenced warehousing operations in Loutulim, Goa.
Located 31 km from the Mormugaon Port, 23 km from the Dabolim airport and 25 km from Panjim city, the Grade A warehouse is compliant with all safety standards and provides seamless connectivity to the Goa-Bangalore-Pune highway.
The facility is fully compliant for the storage and handling of chemicals and healthcare cargo.
With three operating docks and 2620 pallet positions, the 27,512 sq. ft. facility is fully equipped to handle and store chemical products. The new facility provides comprehensive safety features throughout the premises, including a dedicated pump room, advanced fire sprinklers, Rockwool insulation on the roof and bubble wrap insulation on the sidewalls. To ensure air quality and promote the well-being of employees, the facility has six air changes per hour and a dedicated Resident Safety Officer on campus to implement and monitor adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
Speaking about the new warehouse in Goa, Anoop Chauhan, Head – Contract Logistics & Cold Chain Solutions DP World Subcontinent said, “At DP World, we are committed to building an integrated multi-modal supply chain network that will unlock trade opportunities for customers.
“The addition of our Grade A warehouse in Goa will strengthen our expanding warehousing network and deliver customers in the region with a seamless supply chain experience.
“This facility enabled with advance warehouse management systems will serve as a pivotal hub, providing customers with links to multiple markets within the country, thereby driving trade growth at local and national level.”
This facility adds to DP World’s warehousing network of over five million sq. ft. in India, strategically spread across more than 60 locations.
The Grade A warehouse in Loutulim will benefit chemical goods traders in Goa by providing them with customizable storage solutions, assured hygienic storage conditions, facility design and development, secondary distribution services, and complete visibility of shipment with reports and documentation like dashboard of stock available. Additionally, customers will also benefit from DP World’s seamless logistics solutions that will optimize their supply chain for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness in Goa and beyond.
UK-based freight forwarder AGI Global Logistics has begun a new partnership with Swedish logistics company Scandinavian Shipping & Logistics (SSL).
The partnership is anticipated to strengthen and expand AGI’s freight and logistics services offered to customers operating in the Scandinavian market.
Jesse Ramirez, one of the directors of the AGI Immingham office, commented: “This new partnership will enhance our offering to our clients operating in the UK-SE-UK market, and it’s an incredibly exciting announcement.”
He added: “The new partnership will expand the range of services we offer, including the handling of customs formalities in-house, making for smoother and faster deliveries.”
Ramirez further said AGI is “looking forward to developing the partnership and offering new services in Sweden and across the whole of Scandinavia”.
Johan Ignell, managing director of Scandinavian Shipping & Logistics, added: “The new strategic partnership with AGI is something the whole team across our seven offices at SSL are really excited about.
“We share the same core values around offering excellent customer service, and the partnership provides an opportunity to drive growth across Scandinavia for both businesses.”
As well as offering airfreight, road freight and sea freight solutions, AGI provides customs clearance, import and export documentation and storage services. The company has offices in the UK, Amsterdam and Oslo.
Growth in trade between Asia and Europe was the main driver for a rise in DHL’s airfreight volumes in the first quarter of this year, although airfreight revenue and profit suffered.
DHL reported a 5.1% year-on-year rise in airfreight volumes to 435,000 tons in the first quarter.
First quarter airfreight revenue in the Global Forwarding, Freight (GFF) division dropped by 16.2% to €1.3bn and gross profit also fell 25.1% as lower freight rates put pressure on performance.
Revenue in the Global Forwarding business unit decreased by 19.8% to €3.2bn. Gross profit in this unit was down by 17.6%.
Total revenue in the GFF division decreased by 15.8% to €4.5bn in the first quarter “due to lower freight rates”.
Speaking about the divisions results, DHL further stated: “The decline in revenue at Global Forwarding, Freight is primarily due to lower freight rates. The division once again recorded volume growth in air and ocean freight compared to the weak prior-year period. Airfreight volumes rose by 5.1%, with the improvement primarily attributable to trade routes between Asia and Europe.”
In total, the Group achieved revenue of €20.3bn in the first quarter, a fall of 3.2% year on year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were €1.3bn, 19.8% down year on year. The Group noted “there was no significant upturn in the global economy in the first quarter of 2024”.
DHL chief executive Tobias Meyer said: “We are in an unusually long phase of low momentum in global trade. In this environment, we continue to focus on consistent capacity and cost management. However, we also see further growth potential.
“The demand for omnishoring and e-commerce solutions remains high and our customers are becoming increasingly aware of sustainable logistics – we can clearly see this in the demand for GoGreen Plus. With our portfolio, we are ideally positioned to benefit from an upturn in global trade. Despite all the challenges, 2024 is a year of opportunities.”
The first quarter results follow on from a 2023 airfreight revenue decline of 42.2% year on year to €6bn as volumes and rates declined.
UPS will become the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) primary air cargo provider, ending the agency’s more than 20-year partnership with FedEx.
“Together UPS and USPS have developed an innovative solution that is mutually beneficial and complements our unique, reliable and efficient integrated network,” UPS CEO Carol Tomé said in a press release.
The financial details of the deal between UPS and the USPS has not been revealed but it is believed to be “significant.
The USPS has been the largest customer for FedEx’s air express segment, despite the postal service moving away from transporting letters and packages by airfreight to road.
FedEx will continue to provide domestic transportation services by air for the USPS, until 29th September, when the current contract expires.
“The parties were unable to reach agreement on mutually beneficial terms to extend the contract, and negotiations concluded in March 2024, following extensive discussions,” FedEx said in a regulatory filing.
FedEx blamed the lack of an agreement on USPS’s proposed “strategic changes to its operations to reduce its reliance on the air network of FedEx Express,” which the carrier felt would have adverse effects on their operations and financial condition.
UPS’ shares rose 1.8% before the stock market opened, while FedEx’s stock fell more than 2%.
Saudia Cargo has announced its expansion into Shenzhen, China, with the introduction of two weekly flights which began in March. This strategic move signifies Saudia Cargo’s commitment to enhancing its presence in one of the most pivotal markets, underlining the importance of expansion and growth in China.
As a key player in the global logistics industry, Saudia Cargo recognizes the significance of China as a crucial market for its operations. The expansion into Shenzhen is a testament to the company’s dedication to meeting the growing demand for air cargo services in the region.
The two weekly flights will operate every Monday and Friday, offering consistent and reliable service to meet the needs of customers in Shenzhen and beyond. This expansion enables Saudia Cargo to facilitate the seamless transportation of goods between Shenzhen and Riyadh, with Riyadh being identified as the most lucrative international market for Chinese businesses.
“We are excited to announce the expansion of our operations in Shenzhen, China, with the introduction of two weekly flights. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing reliable and efficient air cargo services to our customers in China. With Shenzhen being a key hub for e-commerce, we see tremendous potential for growth and are dedicated to serving the needs of our customers in this dynamic market,” said Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo.
“The introduction of regular flights to Riyadh presents significant opportunities for Chinese businesses, particularly in the e-commerce sector. Shenzhen is widely recognized as a hub for e-commerce, hosting major players such as Alibaba, Temu, and TikTok. By better servicing key clients, Saudia Cargo aims to cater to the increasing demand for air cargo services, especially for e-commerce,” he added.
Saudia Cargo’s commitment to serving the booming e-commerce domain is exemplified by the company’s strategic collaboration with major Chinese players, including Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba. As Cainiao’s largest partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia Cargo plays a vital role in supplying both domestic and global e-commerce markets. Saudia Cargo’s expansion into Shenzhen represents a strategic move to continue meeting the growing demand in e-commerce and capitalize on the Far East’s unprecedented network growth. With China firmly established as one of Saudi Arabia’s primary trading partners, the operations in Shenzhen will further strengthen trade ties between the two nations. With a focus on speed, reliability, and customer-centricity, Saudia Cargo is poised to reshape regional supply chains and establish itself as a dominant force across the e-commerce landscape.
Sigma Pharmaceuticals, a leading UK wholesaler and distributor, is partnering with logistics technology innovator, BoxxDocks, to enhance efficiency and sustainability within its warehouse and transport operations.
The partnership will see Sigma become the first company in the pharmaceutical industry to leverage BoxxDocks’ advanced tracking technology to improve asset visibility and management.
BoxxDocks’ technology offers data-driven, granular track and trace solutions – the first of its kind in the supply chain and logistics industry. This solution not only addresses the critical issue of inventory loss but also paves the way for cost savings and environmental benefits.
Unlike traditional tracking systems that offer limited visibility, BoxxDocks provides real-time data on asset location and movement, enabling B2B distributors to map their entire supply chains with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. This capability can significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs by optimising asset utilisation and minimising loss.
In addition, the technology offers enhanced security for items in transit, thereby reducing waste and supporting a circular economy, by facilitating a shift towards reusable assets, instead of single-use cardboard and plastic, lowering both environmental and financial impacts.
Rajiv Shah, Procurement and Innovation Officer at Sigma, commented: “This partnership with BoxxDocks will help accelerate our commitment to sustainability and NHS net zero objectives. By having the ability to track our assets, we’ll be able to minimise our environmental footprint by significantly reducing single-use materials, cutting down on the use of disposable packaging, while streamlining our distribution processes.”
Alessandro Attanzio, CEO of BoxxDocks, said: “Our mission is to help enhance B2B distribution through our smart, sustainable and cost-saving solutions. We’re delighted to be working with Sigma Pharmaceuticals, which is a forward-thinking company with a passion for innovation that rivals our own. We look forward to continuing our journey of innovation together, demonstrating a model of best practice for pharma distribution.”
He added: “Through this collaboration, we have further refined our technology to meet the specific needs of the pharmaceutical sector. It is a shining example of how our technology can transform operations, reduce cost and environmental impact, and help drive the industry forward to meet efficiency and sustainability goals.”
After more than 63 years, Deutsche Post has stopped carrying letters by plane to cut costs and reduce its carbon footprint, and the last plane took off from Berlin shortly after midnight and flew to Stuttgart.
Among the last flights, the early hours of March 28 saw the last overnight flights by Eurowings and Tui Fly transporting letters to and from northern and southern Germany on the routes Stuttgart-Berlin, Hanover-Munich and Hanover-Stuttgart.
Marc Hitschfeld, Chief Operations Officer of DHL Group’s Post & Parcel Germany division: “We conclude the era of overnight letter airmail with mixed feelings.
“In times of climate change, airmail for domestic letters within Germany can no longer be justified – also because there is no longer the same urgency associated with letter mail as in decades past.
“So, on the one hand, the end of domestic airmail is good news for the environment. On the other hand, the end of overnight airmail closes a chapter of postal history which many Deutsche Post employees have identified with for decades.”
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
