Melbourne, Australia: Major disruptions in the Red Sea have triggered one of the largest realignments of global shipping routes in recent years, with Asia-Europe maritime capacity plunging by 33% from 2023 to 2024, according to new data from routing solutions provider Fluent Cargo.
The analysis reveals widespread changes across global trade corridors. Despite capacity reductions, the Asia-Europe corridor remains the world’s busiest maritime route, followed by Asia-North America.
“The massive rerouting we’re seeing around the Red Sea highlights why unified data is critical,” said Andrew Greig, Fluent Cargo CTO.
“When disruptions occur, organisations need a single source of truth about alternative routes, real-time tracking, and capacity impacts. More organisations are needing to consolidate essential data in order to quickly identify and execute the most efficient alternative routes.”
In air freight, the Chicago O’Hare-Anchorage corridor leads global routes with 25,317 tons weekly capacity, highlighting Anchorage’s crucial role as North America’s primary transpacific cargo hub.
Key findings include:
Asia-West Africa trade dropping from 6th to 11th place as vessels reroute around Africa
Rise in regional shipping networks, particularly in Asia
Strategic capacity reductions across all major maritime routes
Strong domestic air freight corridors in Japan and South Korea
TOP 5 AIR FREIGHT ROUTES (Q4 2024) By weekly cargo tonnage:
Chicago O’Hare ↔ Anchorage
Haneda ↔ Fukuoka (Japan)
New Chitose ↔ Haneda (Japan)
Hong Kong ↔ Anchorage
Gimpo ↔ Jeju (South Korea)
TOP 5 MARITIME TRADE LANES (Q4 2024) By TEU capacity:
Asia – Europe
Asia – North America
Asia – West Coast South America
Far East – Middle East
Intra-regional – Far East
“These shifts in global trade patterns demonstrate why static routing strategies are no longer viable,” said Archival Garcia, Fluent Cargo CEO.
“Shippers are being forced to adapt quickly to disruptions and increasingly need to make data-driven decisions about their cargo movements. Shipping rates and share prices are being driven down by decreased global demand. The post-Covid recovery volumes are gone and customers are frustrated with lack of information and uncertain costs. The election of Donald Trump to the US presidency will further affect trade.”
These data insights come as Fluent Cargo expands its routing solutions with a recently launched multimodal tracking service. The company has also established new partnerships with DP World and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
Lauterach, Austria: Catholic missionary Erich Fischnaller is doing important development and construction work in the Palorinya refugee settlement in northern Uganda.
This includes providing young people with the education to build an independent existence. With the support of many people, he has set up several training workshops where people can learn trades such as carpentry, metalwork and baking.
Until now, the workshops were powered by old diesel generators – an expensive and environmentally unfriendly solution. This is now changing. Photovoltaic system manufacturers and electrical engineering companies from Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein have donated all the components needed for a high-performance photovoltaic system (PV). It can be operated without being connected to the public power grid (off-grid) and generates up to 200 kilowatts of electrical energy.
The global logistics company Gebrüder Weiss is responsible for transporting the solar system to Uganda.
“This is an exemplary initiative by companies in the region that helps to give the local population a perspective for the future – and it also makes ecological sense. Solar energy instead of fossil fuels: a sustainable aid project that we are happy to support,” says Andreas Bilgeri, Manager of Gebrüder Weiss Air & Sea Wolfurt.
The solar energy system was packed into a 40-foot sea freight container and sent away before Christmas. It first traveled by rail from Wolfurt to Rotterdam and then by ship to Mombasa (Kenya). The rest of the journey to Uganda was by truck.
“I am pleased to partner with Gebrüder Weiss, a globally experienced logistics company based in Vorarlberg. Their expertise streamlines our coordination processes and ensures the solar system will arrive safely and on schedule,” says Matthias Burtscher, coordinator of the aid campaign. With the support of many volunteers, the donated PV system modules were assembled, tested and packed at his company’s premises before being transported.
The “Solar Power for Palorinya” is a joint project of the Catholic missionary order of the Comboni Missionaries – represented locally by Brother Erich Fischnaller – and numerous companies, associations and individuals from Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol.
Fischnaller, who was born in South Tyrol and began his missionary work in Africa 50 years ago, has been involved in the Palorinya refugee center since 2016. More than 125,000 people live there, most of whom have fled the civil war in neighboring Sudan.
Dubai, UAE: Emirates Transport (ET) has entered into a landmark four-year lease agreement with Motoboy Delivery Services to introduce zero-emission, 100% electric delivery bikes into Motoboy’s third-party logistics fleet.
The UAE’s premier transport and logistics provider said the initiative is a testament to both organizations’ commitment to supporting the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and redefining logistics standards in the region.
Emirates Transport, a pioneer in green initiatives, has consistently championed alternative energy solutions and fleet optimization strategies to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact.
The partnership will initially deploy 40 electric bikes, underscoring a shared mission to minimize ecological footprints while enhancing operational efficiency. This step represents a forward-thinking approach to logistics, combining environmental responsibility with cutting-edge innovation.
“By introducing electric bikes into our operations, we aim to enhance last-mile delivery efficiency while actively contributing to the UAE’s ambitious sustainability vision. This partnership aligns with our shared responsibility to reduce environmental impact and deliver smarter, cleaner mobility solutions that resonate with the evolving needs of businesses and communities across the nation,” explains Dominic Hagerty, Chief Transport and Leasing Officer at Emirates Transport.
Motoboy is renowned for its customer-centric approach and advanced delivery solutions.
“This partnership with Emirates Transport marks a significant step in our commitment to sustainable innovation,” said Mr. Farid Fawaz Dallal, CEO of Motoboy. “By integrating electric bikes into our operations, we are enhancing delivery efficiency while actively supporting the UAE’s sustainability goals. Together, we are shaping a greener, more resilient logistics network that aligns with the nation’s vision for a sustainable future.”
Dubai, UAE: Aramex (DFM: ARMX), a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, has announced a new partnership with ChannelEngine, a global leader in marketplace integration technology. Through this collaboration, brands and retailers can now unlock new sales channels across the Middle East and beyond, enhancing their ability to reach new customers and expand into key markets.
“We are delighted to partner with ChannelEngine and their robust solution, which empowers businesses to manage their online presence across a vast array of marketplaces and third-party sales channels. As a company committed to innovation, we continuously embrace technologies and solutions that enhance our service to valued customers and address the evolving dynamics of business and customer expectations,” said Tarek Abuyaghi, General Manager of Aramex.
“We believe this partnership will significantly enhance our last-mile delivery services and allow us to leverage advanced Application Programming Interface (API) solutions to further streamline logistics. This will also help meet the evolving needs of e-commerce businesses worldwide, while boosting their online visibility and revenue, as well as customer satisfaction,” he added.
Niels Floors, VP of Strategic Development and Regional Lead at ChannelEngine, added: “Our partnership with Aramex represents an exciting milestone in enabling brands and retailers to unlock new sales channels across the Middle East and beyond. By directly integrating with one of the world’s leading logistics and transportation providers, ChannelEngine is positioned to help businesses streamline their marketplace operations and elevate their online presence in an increasingly dynamic e-commerce landscape.
“Together with Aramex, we are committed to creating and expanding revenue opportunities for our customers, allowing them to seamlessly meet evolving consumer expectations and drive growth.
By leveraging ChannelEngine’s seamless integration platform alongside Aramex’s fulfilment and last-mile delivery expertise, businesses can efficiently manage multichannel sales while ensuring fast, reliable shipping to customers across the globe. This partnership enables retailers to maximize their e-commerce potential and streamline their operations.”
The fully integrated API solution will streamline operations, enabling businesses to efficiently manage their online sales across multiple platforms. This partnership empowers sellers to optimize their logistics and fulfillment processes, ensuring timely deliveries while expanding their reach in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Frankfurt, Germany: Lufthansa Cargo and A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) have signed an agreement to promote the decarbonization of airfreight through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Lufthansa Cargo will use 400 metric tons of SAF on behalf of Maersk in the remainder of 2024, which is an important contribution in the year-end business with traditionally high cargo volumes. The expected reduction of CO2 emissions corresponds to at least 1,200 metric tons.
“Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from airfreight is one of the most challenging tasks within the decarbonization of global logistics and supply chains. This is why we are excited to partner with Lufthansa Cargo in this important task,” said Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition at A.P. Moller – Maersk.
As one of the globally largest logistics companies, Maersk aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across all modes of transport as well as other business areas like warehousing and container terminals. “The uptake and availability of SAF in the aviation industry is still limited. Our agreement with Lufthansa Cargo enables Maersk to contribute to an increase in the uptake,” Christiansen added.
Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, commented, “SAF is a decisive technological key to more sustainable flying and essential for the energy transition in aviation. With Maersk we are jointly making a valuable contribution with the new agreement. At the same time, more sustainable flying also requires major efforts for a modern fleet and increased efficiency in flight operations. It is only through this interplay that change can be achieved sustainably.”
With its Boeing 777 freighter fleet, Lufthansa Cargo continues to rely on the most modern and efficient aircraft in its class.
Maersk will allocate the achieved emissions reduction to one of its European airfreight customers as part of its ECO Delivery Air product. ECO Delivery Ocean, Air and Inland are products offered by Maersk aiding in reducing GHG emissions when compared to conventional fossil energy sources. Maersk is the first company which has net zero targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) using the maritime guidance.
The SAF used by Lufthansa Cargo is produced from biogenic residues such as used cooking oil using the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters & Fatty Acids) process. Through the Lufthansa Group, Lufthansa Cargo offers SAF from established suppliers from Europe. Since September 2021, all Lufthansa Cargo customers have been able to have their freight transported more sustainably by choosing the Sustainable Choice add-on service.
Over its entire lifecycle (production, delivery process, combustion in the engine), SAF based on waste biomass has an approximately 80 percent lower CO2 footprint than conventional fossil kerosene. As a so-called “drop-in” fuel, it can be integrated into existing flight operations infrastructures without any modifications.
For operational reasons, it is not possible to refuel individual selected flights. Lufthansa Cargo is offering this fuel through the Lufthansa Group, which is working with partners worldwide on the research and development of SAF and the next generation of synthetic fuels. In addition to the use of SAF, Lufthansa Cargo, together with the Lufthansa Group, is pursuing ambitious climate protection goals: By 2030, the Lufthansa Group aims to halve its net CO2 emissions compared to 2019 through reduction and compensation measures and strives for a neutral CO2 balance by 2050.
Marseille, France: As companies around the world continue to fight against climate change by addressing the environmental impact of their supply chains, and many have set both near- and long-term decarbonization and sustainability commitments, CEVA Logistics is taking the next step in its journey to net zero and in support of its customers around the globe.
The company announced a new sub-brand today to unify and further develop its sustainable logistics solutions—CEVA FORPLANET.
“With the world around changing, action is required. As one of our core CSR pillars, ‘Acting for Planet’ isn’t just an empty phrase, but a guiding principle that must affect everything—down to the solutions we offer. With the launch of this new CEVA FORPLANET sub-brand for our suite of solutions, we’re committing ourselves to both promote current decarbonization efforts and develop better ways of sustainably supporting our customers’ supply chains in the future,” said Mathieu Friedberg, CEO, CEVA Logistics.
The new suite of CEVA FORPLANET logistics solutions enables customers to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains by leveraging a range of low carbon transport and circular economy solutions. In addition, with many customers needing to accurately communicate about their activities,
CEVA FORPLANET solutions provide precise data and CO2e calculations to ensure proper reporting.
As part of the CMA CGM Group, CEVA Logistics is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. In the near-term, CEVA is committed to reducing its emissions through three main levers—its warehouses, its fleet operations and its low carbon solutions offered with carrier partners. The CEVA FORPLANET solutions will address the vast majority of CEVA’s emissions, as scope 3 emissions account for 95 percent of the company’s 2023 level.
CEVA’s corporate social responsibility efforts were recognized recently with the company receiving a gold medal with its annual EcoVadis score. The recognition placed CEVA in the top 1 percent of logistics and transport companies, and the top 5 percent of companies overall.
As the new suite for its sustainable logistics offering, CEVA FORPLANET includes solutions around measuring, optimizing and shifting to low carbon transport. The solutions include modal shift, as well as alternative fuels for air, ocean and ground transport.
So far in 2024, CEVA has avoided more than 26,000 tons of emissions thanks to more than 10 million liters of sustainable maritime and aviation fuel. In addition, CEVA currently has more than 1,000 electric and low carbon fuel vehicles operating across its ground operations and proposes rail and barge solutions as other modal shift solutions.
One block train is the equivalent of taking 25 trucks off of the road, reducing road congestion and emissions (up to 90 percent). The company also has new solutions and pilot programs in development, including wind propulsion.
CEVA also offers customers a consulting approach, for those interested in a deeper partnership to transform their supply chains using the suite of CEVA FORPLANET solutions through a five-step transformation program. Customers seeking more details or wanting to assess their shipments independently can use various tools provided by CEVA, including eco-calculators accessible on its website and within the MyCEVA digital platform.
Circular economies
CEVA Logistics is also actively promoting circular economies across various industries, including automotive, consumer & retail, healthcare, technology, and industrial sectors. CEVA collaborates with customers and other industry partners to develop closed-loop supply chains, reverse logistics processes and product take-back programs (including repair, refurbishment and resale) to promote more efficient resource management with supply chains.
For example, CEVA is a partner in various pilot programs underway in the automotive sector dealing with tires and with electric vehicle batteries.
CEVA’s FORPLANET packaging replaces single-use options with reusable packaging and consumables within supply chains. Using its web and mobile application, CEVA can manage customers’ entire stock of transport and logistics packaging through the various stages of use, reverse logistics and end-of-life recycling.
Solutions range from pallet covers to isothermal kits to circular boxes. In the first half of 2024, CEVA’s reusable packaging solution saved more than 10,000 kilograms of plastic from being used.
London, UK: Manufacturers now expect logistics suppliers to further integrate with their operating systems, DANX Carousel Chief Information Officer, Mohan Palaniandy, has told delegates at a recent supply chain transparency conference.
Palaniandy went on to list the benefits of AI and data, as improved efficiencies throughout the supply chain, brought through complete inventory oversight and final mile route optimisation, are now overcoming traditional barriers to data sharing.
“DANX Carousel will continue to enhance its time critical capabilities while reducing waste in the supply chain at every possible step in its operations – full digital transparency between stakeholders delivers both,” said Palaniandy.
“DANX Carousel is committed to improving transparency in the supply chain and recommend businesses conduct internal training, review service level agreements and key performance indicators, and invest in technological advancements in the final mile, aiming for full integration with logistics suppliers.”
Palaniandy’s comments follow the publication of a research paper by DANX Carousel which formed the basis of a conference in Birmingham recently, bringing together industry experts to address transparency challenges in the supply chain.
During the conference, speakers, including Andrew Lowery, UK Managing Director, Carousel Logistics, noted how supply chain managers are increasingly arguing the case for seamless integration as the uninterrupted flow of data prompts manufacturers’ replenishment workflow.
“The logistics industry is undergoing a digital revolution,” said Klaus Rud Sejling, Chief Executive Officer, DANX Carousel. “AI, machine learning, and data are transforming supply chains, improving their transparency, efficiency, and profitability in turn.”
“For time-critical logistics, increased data transparency across the supply chain must be the goal and we should now work across industries to break down data silos and embrace new technologies,” he added.
The conference, held in Birmingham, was part of a series of events taking place across Sweden, Germany, and the UK exploring the benefits of a more transparent supply chain and best practice for companies.
Dubai, UAE: Logimotion, a new exhibition for the international logistics and mobility sectors, will host three pivotal conferences featuring industry leaders worldwide. The event will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-11 December and will coincide with Automechanika Dubai.
Logimotion will showcase technologies and solutions within mobility and logistics while fostering industry insights through engaging conference sessions at SCALEX, the Global Trade and Infrastructure Summit and the TransMobility Forum.
The inaugural SCALEX conference is themed “Charting the Course of Global Excellence” and will explore supply chain innovations, including robotics, blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), next-generation
automation, and cybersecurity.
The global symposium offers a deep dive into enhancing efficiency, security, and talent management within the supply chain ecosystem, providing strategic insights and actionable solutions.
The extensive lineup of speakers at SCALEX includes Ahmed Halal, Senior Procurement Office, Prime Minister’s Office; Guillaume Crozier, Senior Vice President Cargo UAE & Head, Global Cargo
Strategy, Dnata; and Michael Stockdale Group Head of Supply Chain and Logistics, Red Sea Global among several other international thought leaders.
The Global Trade and Infrastructure Summit (GTIS) will explore “Fostering Connectivity, Propelling Growth”, where attendees will gain insights into trade agreements, sustainable trade practices and the
transformative role of technology in shaping global infrastructure.
The conference will provide invaluable perspectives on overcoming the challenges faced by emerging markets and navigating geopolitical shifts.
At GTIS, Stefan Schröder, Managing Director, LNC Logistics Network Consultants GmbH in Germany, a respected thought leader in logistics, will moderate a panel discussion on “Innovative urban trade
and logistics solutions: overcoming challenges in congestion, delivery,
and sustainability.”
Commenting ahead of the show, Schröder said: “The logistics industry faces significant challenges, including global and regional crises, rapid market changes, labor shortages and climate protection requirements. The industry is addressing these challenges by adopting 4-D Solutions: Digitalization, Decentralization, Disruption and Decarbonization, with a strong emphasis on resilient supply chains and success factors such as being green, lean and smart.”
Rounding out the event’s conference offering, the Transmobility Forum (TMF) will explore the theme “Navigating the Intersection of Innovation and Mobility” and will address critical topics such as autonomous vehicles, smart city integration, electric vehicle ecosystems and charting
the path for sustainable, efficient and future-ready mobility solutions.
Riyadh, KSA: Saudia Group and the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services have signed a memorandum of understanding, supported by the Ministry of Education, aimed at developing national capabilities and competencies in the field of transport and logistics.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, and H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, in the presence of H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics. The signing took place during the Global Logistics Forum 2024 in Riyadh.
The MoU aims to provide 553 scholarships under the “Wa’ed” path, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Scholarship Program. These scholarships focus on specialized academic and professional training within the aviation sector. The fields of study include First Officers, Inflight Chef Diploma, Airframe & Power Plant Diploma, Non-Destructive Testing, Metrology Diploma, and Professional International Assignment to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar emphasized the significance of the MoU, saying: “This agreement strengthens our commitment to developing local talent in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By investing in human capital, we are not only enhancing the aviation sector but also contributing to the localization of critical skills needed for the Kingdom’s sustainable growth.”
This MoU is part of Saudia Group’s ongoing participation in multiple scholarship initiatives, including the “Your Job, Your Mission” program, through which over 470 graduates have been employed as First Officers, more than 210 as engineers and technicians, and 120 graduates in other specialized roles.
Caption:
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, left, with H.E. Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistic Services. SAUDIA Photo
Utrecht, Netherlands: Mammoet, the Dutch company specializing in engineered heavy lifting and transporting large objects, has once again proven its expertise by successfully turning Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) into giant forklifts for marshaling in connection with a wind turbine project in France.
Situated 12km from the island of Yeu, and 16km from the island of Noirmoutier, the Îles d’Yeu, the project marks the fifth offshore wind farm to be commissioned in France.
It will be home to 61 offshore wind turbines, with an individual capacity of 8MW. With an estimated annual production capacity of 1,900GWh, it will generate enough electricity for approximately 800,000 people per year.
A client of Mammoet for many years, BOW Terminal approached its engineers to assist with the marshaling, movement and temporary storage of the offshore wind turbines’ transition pieces (TPs), which were being fabricated in Belgium.
TPs are traditionally moved using crawler cranes, or with Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) fitted with a gantry system that requires assembly, and rigging to be connected at a height over 20m.
This project marked the first opportunity for Mammoet to showcase an innovation that makes TP handling safer and more efficient for the offshore wind energy sector.
It transforms SPMT trailers into giant forklifts – resulting in an offshore wind marshaling solution that is faster and more secure.
All 61 transition pieces were being shipped from Antwerp to BOW Terminal Vlissingen, the Netherlands. Each TP weighs 400 tons and measures 30 meters in height and 6 meters in diameter.
Arriving by barge in fours, the TPs were lifted onto the quayside by a 1,200t crawler crane and placed onto temporary concrete supports.
Each TP was then collected on a 2 x 14 axle line configuration of SPMT and moved to a temporary laydown area. There, they were placed on supports waiting to be called off, after which they were simply lifted and driven back from the storage area to a setup location on the quayside.
In the past, the SPMT trailers would be fitted with a gantry system that is constructed and parked over the top of the transition piece so it could be lifted from above.
In this instance, Mammoet utilized a new attachment for the SPMT that essentially turned it into a giant forklift, allowing the units to be picked up more quickly and easily from underneath.
Lars de Haas, Project Manager at Mammoet, explains: “BOW Terminal came to us and asked if we had a system like this available. We explained that there was already a concept in progress, and we just had to develop it. This took around four months, including all fabrication and testing – which was carried out at BOW Terminal.”
The TPH800, as it’s known, has a heavy lift capacity of 800 tons. It has two main cross beams that sit on top of two lines of SPMTs. From the cross beams hang two lower beams, which act like forklift forks.
As the SPMTs approach the TP, the front cross beam lifts like a parking barrier to allow the lower beams to be slotted underneath the transition piece. Once these are in position, the front beam lowers and the TP is firmly locked into place by pinning both cross beams to both lower beams.
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