MUNICH: transport logistic 2021 will not take place as scheduled amid numerous international travel restrictions as the Coronavirus pandemic lingers on. The next physical trade fair has been pushed back to take place from 9-12 May 2023, organizer Messe Munchen announced.
As a bridge to other events in the transport logistic network, an online conference will be realized from May 4 to 6, 2021.
“Our customers would have to start detailed planning for transport logistic now and need planning security. The still ongoing dynamic infection as well as the resulting travel restrictions make it impossible to successfully hold transport logistic at the beginning of May,” explains Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München. “For this reason, on the recommendation of and in consultation with the exhibitor advisory board, we have decided to cancel transport logistic 2021.”
transport logistic Online
Exchange and knowledge transfer will now be made possible by transport logistic with an online conference at the original trade fair date of May 4 to 6, 2021—bridging the gap to the other events in the transport logistic network in San Francisco in September, Istanbul in November, Mumbai in February 2022, Shanghai in June 2022 and Johannesburg in February 2023.
“transport logistic remains the most important hub for B2B networking in the global logistics industry,” Rummel affirms. “The new digital formats and their further development will continue to enrich our trade shows in the future and make networking more efficient and better than ever.”
Exhibitor advisory board stands by transport logistic
Despite the current decision, it is important to the numerous companies and associations represented on the transport logistic Exhibitor Advisory Board to emphasize the importance of the trade fair for their business success.
Birgit Kastner—Simon, member of the Exhibitor Advisory Board and Director Corporate Marketing at DACHSER explains: “The need to exchange ideas with international partners and customers is greater than ever, especially in these challenging times. In normal times, transport logistic would be the best platform for this. We will make the best possible use of the upcoming events in the transport logistic network for us—in order to come together again in Munich in 2023 at the latest and make the international logistics industry get—together a complete success once again.”
MIAMI: The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) welcomed four new members to its governing body, the Board of Directors, whose expertise are expected to further strengthen the industry face its challenges and the new normal.
Following a year of internal re-organization and the changing of governance structure, TIACA has named its new Board Members; Liana Coyne, Coyne Airways; Bob Chi, SATS Ltd; Manel Galindo, WebCargo; and Hendrik Leyssens, Swissport.
TIACA said each new Board member has been vetted by the Executive Committee to ensure that the candidates not only share the association’s vision for the air cargo industry but also is in line with the mandate set in their Trusteeshave a Board that fairly represents the membership by industry sector and region.
“The last year has shown the world the value of the entire air cargo supply chain and what can be achieved when organizations collaborate effectively with a common purpose. TIACA is the only global association that encompasses the entire supply chain within its membership and we are proud to have such a representative Board steering the Association in tackling the critical issues the industry faces,” stated Steven Polmans, TIACA Chairman
The new Board members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from their respective industry sectors and are eager to get to work.
• Liana Coyne is the Chief Operating Officer of Coyne Airways – Coyne Airways is the pioneering non-asset based cargo airline specializing in scheduled and chartered lift to niche destinations including Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan and around the Caucasus, Central Asia and Africa.
“I am thrilled to join the Board of TIACA. TIACA is in a unique position to represent and advocate on behalf of the air cargo industry, at a time when its importance has never been so underscored,” Coyne stated.
• Manel Galindo, Co-founder, WebCargo – WebCargo digitizes freight sales, pricing, and booking for thousands of logistics providers and carriers around the world.
“True change isn’t about one company. It’s about the entire industry identifying trends and adapting, together. I’m thrilled to join TIACA’s Board to help do just that, collaborating with other players from across the value chain to turn digitalization into an asset,” Galindo stated.
• Bob Chi is the Chief Operating Officer, Gateway Services – SATS Ltd is a ground handling operation that covers all Gateway Services operational units, covering cargo handling, passenger services, baggage and ramp handling as well as security services.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to be part of the TIACA Board, especially during this time, where air cargo supply chain is certainly playing a pivotal role in the recovery of the aviation industry. While the Air Freight industry transforms itself through digitization and in the face of unprecedented growth in the eCommerce, pharma & perishables trades flows, I believe TIACA will provide a good platform for open dialogue amongst key stakeholders on all matters affecting our industry. I look forward to the opportunity to engage with partners in topics that are pertinent to all of us. Thank you,” Chi stated.
• Hendrik Leyssens, is VP Global Operations, Cargo of Swissport International – Swissport International is a global airport ground services and air cargo handler.
“I’m very excited to join the TIACA board and looking forward to working with all board members and Glyn. TIACA is placed exceptionally well to unite and support all stakeholders that want to make a difference in our industry,” Leyssens stated. “The organisation has proven to be more relevant than ever after in the past year and I’m thrilled I can contribute to its’ further success.”
Polmans continued, “As part of TIACA’s Transformation Program, we found it imperative that our Board represents the entire supply chain and we are working to ensure that this mandate is fulfilled. These new Board members fill roles within our Board that have been underrepresented in the past. We look forward to the insight and expertise each of these industry leaders will bring to the table. Whilst our work to diversify our Board is far from over, we feel we have made a solid start.”
BRUSSELS: Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), the world’s largest air cargo handler, has future-proofed its growing handling operation at Brussels Airport with the opening of a modern 250,000-tonne capacity cargo terminal, designed to optimize speed and deliver self-service and real-time information for airlines and freight forwarders.
The new 25,000 sqmt facility is in addition to WFS’ 11,000 mt warehouse and office operation at the airport which opened in the Brucargo West development zone in 2019.
Marc Claesen, Senior Vice President Commercial EMEAA at WFS, said the company’s latest investment is inspired by Brussel Airport’s commitment to air cargo growth.
“Brussels Airport and its cargo community are very progressive. WFS is taking the leading role in providing the market with a product and digital tools which meet the requirements of modern-day cargo handling, and which gives us the capacity to grow. We believe more airlines will choose to partner with us,” he said.
WFS’ clients in Brussels include Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, IAG Group, and United Airlines. Last summer, WFS also signed a five-year contract to provide a total handling solution for Air France KLM Martinair Cargo at the airport covering cargo, mail and trucking as well as services to support special products. Most recently, WFS has also won another new handling contract with cargo carrier Demavia Airlines.
In support of Brussels Airport’s reputation as the pharma center of Europe for airfreight, the new cargo terminal incorporates a dedicated pharma zone, which will become both IATA CEIV Pharma and GDP certified in 2021.
It also combines a perishables handling facility and will house a new EU Border Inspection Post, and is fully equipped with state-of-the-art security access controls and cargo screening technologies in compliance with WFS’ global commitment to deliver the highest standards of safety and security.
LUXEMBOURG: Europe’s leading all-cargo airline, Cargolux, has joined UNICEF’s Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to transport essential medical and pharmaceutical supplies, including COVID-19 vaccines, where they are most needed.
Cargolux assured its commitment to play its part in providing solutions for swift and seamless medical and relief transports, part of its core philosophy.
“Cargolux has extensive experience in the handling of healthcare and pharmaceutical goods as well as a strong commitment to supporting humanitarian causes. This initiative is fully aligned with the airline’s values and it was therefore natural for us to take part in this project. We look forward to leveraging our expertise in the field to provide seamless and secure transport for these life-saving products,” said Richard Forson, President & CEO of Cargolux.
Cargolux is a leading provider of transport solutions for medical shipments and applies some of the highest standards in this challenging industry.
It has a dedicated transport solution for pharmaceutical and healthcare products (CV pharma) that was devised to ensure constant temperature levels throughout the handling process and to minimize any risk of alteration for these products.
In related news, Cargolux announced it successfully passed its GDP (Good Distribution Practice) surveillance audit which attests that its quality management system fulfils the latest requirements of the EU Directive ‘Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use’ and of WHO Guidelines.
The company said the certification reflects its strong commitment to high standards when handling pharmaceutical and healthcare products. This dedication was particularly salient in 2020 with the increased demand for pharmaceutical and health care shipments, including vaccines and related material.
“Cargolux is proud of this achievement that reflects the tireless dedication of our teams around the globe. Our processes are continuously reviewed not only to comply with industry standards but to provide our customers with seamless service for these vital and extremely delicate products,” explains Joep Bruijs, Senior Vice-President Global Logistics.
“This certification is the recognition of our position as a provider of quality services, a position we are intent on upholding, he added. Cargolux’s hub at Luxembourg airport is also GDP certified.
DUBAI: Underlining its commitment to the global food industry and as a market leader in carrying perishables, Emirates SkyCargo has joined the recently concluded Gulfood 2021, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition held in Dubai from February 21-25.
Emirates SkyCargo has participated in previous editions of Gulfood and has also successfully introduced some of its small business customers from around the world to major food and beverage sourcing companies at the event. This year, Emirates SkyCargo invited some of its significant logistics partners and customers to jointly present logistics capabilities at its stand.
Emirates SkyCargo powers an important segment of the global cross-border logistics in trade of food and beverages, transporting fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, food ingredients and ready to consume food and beverage items on its flights across six continents.
During the pandemic year, Emirates SkyCargo continued the vital task of maintaining connectivity for food items, playing an important role in maintaining food security and providing a steady stream of income to communities exporting food and produce. The air cargo carrier managed this feat despite numerous challenges, including the severe restriction of air cargo capacity during the initial stages of the pandemic due to the complete suspension of passenger flights.
Overall, between January and December 2020, Emirates SkyCargo transported on an average over 600 tonnes of food and beverage items every day on its flights. The air cargo carrier helped bring in more than 125,000 tonnes of food into the GCC region helping maintain uninterrupted supply chains for food items during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the diverse food items transported globally on Emirates SkyCargo included cherries and salmon from Chile, avocadoes and berries from Mexico, strawberries and sweet potatoes from Egypt, green beans and pineapples from Kenya, salmon from Norway, wine and cheese from France and Italy, coconuts and jackfruit from Thailand, mangoes from India, blueberries from the UK, meat from Australia and New Zealand and many others.
With its global network spanning more than 130 cities and a modern fleet of all wide body aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo is well positioned to rapidly transport food and other perishables from one part of the world to another.
With its specialised product ‘Emirates Fresh’, the air cargo carrier is also able to ensure that food items retain their freshness during the journey from origin to destination. Emirates’ flights facilitate an important trade lane for food exports between international markets, allowing food exporters to connect with customers in new and established markets.
Last year a total of 155 aircraft had seats removed in order to transport cargo in the cabin, according to figures from Cirium’s Airline Insight Review 2020.
The report found that the number of aircraft with seats removed in operation at any one time fluctuated throughout the year, with the peak being reached in June when more than 100 aircraft were flying with reconfigured cabins.
Since then there have been minor fluctuations, with around 90 in operation as the year drew to a close.
Cirium found that widebody aircraft made up the majority of the mini-freighter fleet, with 49 A330s and 45 B777s reconfigured.
Looking at individual airlines, China Eastern Airlines adjusted 14 A330s, Lufthansa changed the setup of 10 A330s, while Emirates re-configured 10 B777-300ERs.
Cirium aviation data researcher Bin He said, “China Eastern began by operating flights where boxes were carried in the seats, but by March they were removing the seats entirely, further maximizing the cargo capacity of each aircraft.”
The analyst said that 38 aircraft belonging to 10 Chinese airlines have had all or most of their seats removed, making up 25% of the ‘Cabin Cargo’ fleet.
He added, “At the beginning of the pandemic, Chinese airlines distributed essential cargo across the country on board passenger aircraft. Boxes of PPE were loaded into the hold, but were also placed into the passenger seats too. But as the pandemic intensified and global demand for PPE rapidly increased, it became apparent that airlines needed a more radical solution.”
Meanwhile, Cirium’s flight-tracking data shows that between late-March and late-May Lufthansa’s A330s operated an average of 50 flights each, after which time they concluded flying these services, and have since had their seats reinstalled allowing them to return to passenger service.
Emirates’ 360-seat three-class B777 aircraft had 305 economy seats removed, creating space in the cabin for up to 132 cu m or 17 tons of cargo, in addition to the 40-50 ton capacity in the hold.
The first of these aircraft commenced cargo services from Dubai in mid-June.
Looking ahead, Chris Seymour, head of market analysis at Ascend by Cirium, said, “Early in the pandemic, there was an urgent need to move cargo quickly. Now that things have settled down, airlines are looking at how to move cargo cost-effectively.
“Loading cargo into cabins requires a lot of manpower, compared with loading it into aircraft bellies in containers and on pallets. The issue for airlines is whether they spend money on reconfiguring cabins, or to simply operate aircraft with cargo loaded in the belly and on the seats if required.”
Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become one of the first airlines in the world to trial IATA Travel Pass – a mobile app to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information.
IATA Travel Pass enables Emirates passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to verify their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination. They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel. The new app will also enable travelers to manage all travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout the travel experience.
Prior to a full roll out, Emirates will implement phase 1 in Dubai for the validation of COVID-19 PCR tests before departure. In this initial phase, expected to begin in April, Emirates customers travelling from Dubai will be able to share their COVID-19 test status directly with the airline even before reaching the airport through the app, which will then auto-populate the details on the check-in system.
Adel Al Redha Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer said: “While international travel remains as safe as ever, there are new protocols and travel requirements with the current global pandemic. We have worked with IATA on this innovative solution to simplify and digitally transmit the information that is required by countries and governments into our airline systems, in a secure and efficient manner. We are proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to pilot this initiative, which will provide an enhanced customer experience and conveniently facilitate our customers’ travel needs.”
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security said: “We’re proud to work with Emirates to make IATA Travel Pass available in the Middle East region. With its global customer base and network traffic, Emirates as a partner will also bring invaluable input and feedback to improve the Travel Pass program. This is the first step in making international travel during the pandemic as convenient as possible giving people the confidence that they are meeting all COVID-19 entry requirements by governments. As borders re-open, IATA Travel Pass will be further enhanced with more capabilities to meet all governments testing or vaccination verification requirements and Emirates customers will be among the first to have these services.”
Within the IATA Travel Pass app, the integrated registry of travel requirements will also enable passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are travelling from. It will also include a registry of testing and eventually vaccination centers – making it more convenient for passengers to find testing centers and labs at their departure location which meet the standards for testing and vaccination requirements of their destination.
The platform will also enable authorized labs and test centers to securely send test results or vaccination certificates to passengers. The global registry, managed by IATA, will manage and allow the secure flow of necessary information amongst all stakeholders and to provide a seamless passenger experience.
Emirates is committed to providing a seamless customer experience at all touchpoints. In the last few months, it has introduced a smart contactless journey with an integrated biometric path and other services including self-check-in and bag drop kiosks at Dubai International airport for a smoother airport experience.
Etihad Cargo has reported a 50 percent year-on-year rise in pharma shipments under its specialized PharmaLife product.
The double-digit annual growth comes as the carrier marks its second anniversary of achieving and operating IATA CEIV certification for pharmaceutical and life science logistics (IATA CEIV Pharma), in conjunction with its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Etihad Airport Services – one of only 24 such certified carriers worldwide.
Etihad Cargo currently operates across more than 1,050 IATA CEIV Pharma/GDP certified trade lands which ensure the integrity of products during transportation. Driven largely from a demand for both CRT (+15 to +25°C) and COL (+2 to +8°C) segments, Etihad Cargo has also received strong growth for ERT (+2 to +25°C) shipments, launched towards the end of 2020.
“Etihad Cargo has substantial expertise in the global transportation of temperature-controlled and time-sensitive pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, operating to stringent manufacturers’ requirements,” explained Martin Drew, senior vice president sales and cargo, Etihad Aviation Group. “The IATA CEIV certification has reaffirmed the carrier’s strength in this sector and strengthened partner trust to deliver a quality product solution across 54 pharma stations with dedicated experts available for advice.”
BOSTON: The global transportation and logistics (T&L) industry now valued at more than $300 billion badly needs digitalization to remain agile, sustainable and competitive, according to a leading tech research firm in the US.
Lux Research said the industry has three major challenges – agility, sustainability, and visibility – and companies see digital transformation as the answer to these.
In its latest report titled “The Digital Transformation of Transportation and Logistics,” Lux Research highlights the most compelling use cases for digital transformation within transportation and logistics and shows where maturation is still needed.
“Trade globalization, digital consumers, and low oil prices have all driven growth in the T&L industry while imposing new challenges,” explains Harshit Sharma, Lux Research Analyst and lead author of the report.
“For example, there is growing consumer demand for agility through the rapid delivery of products: Air cargo is the best means to achieve this but decreases sustainability significantly due to air freight’s high carbon intensity, not to mention that rapid delivery can also mean often engaging with new vendors, creating visibility challenges. We need to innovate to find better all-around solutions to address these challenges without exacerbating others.”
Global trade has also created supply chain visibility issues for companies due to complex supplier networks, leading to greater risk, shipping delays, and even lack of supplier accountability, the report added.
Lux recommends that logistics companies look at digital as a connected system, as opposed to disconnected pieces, and build foundational use cases, such as asset monitoring, first before delving further into advanced applications like autonomy and AI. These systems should first focus on the area of greatest importance to your organization, whether it be agility, sustainability, or visibility, but as stand-alone elements, use cases will not produce their best value proposition.
As digital transformation scales in the industry, Lux forecasts traditional logistics companies will look toward new business models and go assetless. And as e-commerce continues to rapidly grow, and competition in this space escalates, major players may look to consolidate and invest in the logistics vertical to build a competitive advantage and drive competition out of regional markets.
LUXEMBOURG: Cargolux, collaborating with FedEx, recently shipped for free some 62 tons of emergency supplies to Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, which continues to reel from the devastating impact of the 2,700-ammonium nitrate explosion at the city’s port.
Cargolux said the Free of Charge (FOC) medical relief are intended for health workers in the city. The shipment was flown from Memphis to Luxembourg on August 23 and boarded a Cargolux freighter bound for the Middle East on August 24.
Richard Forson, President & CEO of Cargoloux, noted: “It was important for Cargolux to support this relief shipment and assist the people of Beirut in the aftermath of this terrible explosion. As a recognized leader in the transport of medical and pharmaceutical goods, we are proud to leverage this expertise to help those affected by this tragedy.”
Cargolux, Europe’s leading all-cargo airline, said it is committed to playing its part in providing solutions for swift and seamless medical and relief transport. In addition to offering customers a dedicated product, CV pharma; Cargolux was also the first airline to achieve GDP certification in 2014.
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