Caribbean Airlines Cargo is now live on air cargo digital solution platform CargoAi and offers capacity to and from the Caribbean.
The partnership means that freight forwarders worldwide can now access and use www.cargoai.co for e-quotes and e-bookings for all destinations served by Caribbean Airlines Cargo worldwide, including, but not limited to, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados.
CargoAi chief executive Matthieu Petot said: “CargoAi is delighted to announce that Caribbean Airlines Cargo successfully went live on the www.cargoai.co platform on 08 June 2022. Caribbean Airlines has placed a strong focus on improved customer service both on the passenger as well as on the cargo side, and user experience is what CargoAi excels in.”
He added: “The existing pre-integration between CargoAi and CHAMP’s CargoSpot system was a strong accelerator when it came to connecting Caribbean Airlines Cargo to our marketplace and API Suite.”
Marklan Moseley, general manager, cargo and new business, Caribbean Airlines, said: “”We see three major benefits in offering our capacity on CargoAi. First and foremost, our customers have access to a customized, easy-to-use e-booking system, allowing them to streamline their shipping processes more efficiently. Secondly, our capacity offers now reach a great many more potential and new customers around the world, and thirdly, these increased sales activities will ultimately boost our commercial cargo operations, enabling us to further enhance our service offers. A win-win all round.”
Airbus is working with quantum computing firm IonQ to explore how quantum computing could make cargo loading more efficient.
The 12-month Quantum Aircraft Loading Optimization & Quantum Machine Learning project is expected to be the first step towards developing smarter algorithms based on quantum computers that can potentially lead to cost savings due to more optimized distribution of cargo on flights.
The project will culminate in the development of a prototype aircraft-loading quantum application, hands-on collaboration and coaching sessions for Airbus developers and engineers, and an exploration of future integrations of quantum computers for Airbus and its customers.
In the future, Airbus hopes to use quantum algorithms to improve other areas of air travel, including reduced fuel consumption, better aerodynamics, and optimized trajectories.
“As the aerospace industry looks for new ways to navigate the continued impact of the pandemic and overcome supply chain hurdles, we’re pleased to collaborate with Airbus and provide them with the quantum tools and expertise to develop improved aircraft-loading capabilities,” said Peter Chapman, chief executive and president, IonQ.
“While it’s still early days in our yearlong project, the potential for quantum to reshape how airplane manufacturers balance passenger experience with aircraft production and performance is what excites our team most for what’s next in the aviation industry.”
“Optimization is critical to achieving aviation sustainability targets,” said Amanda Simpson, vice president research and Technology, Airbus Americas. “We are very excited to explore IonQ’s capabilities to utilize the potential of quantum computing to achieve these targets.”
Finnair Cargo and WiseTech Global have partnered to enable freight forwarders to efficiently choose, book, confirm and change shipments, in real-time from within WiseTech Global’s CargoWise platform.
The global direct data connection with Finnair Cargo’s operational system, SkyChain, uses custom APIs to allow CargoWise customers direct access to Finnair Cargo’s flight schedules, rates, capacity and inventory across 24 countries spanning Asia, Europe and the US.
Fredrik Wildtgrube, senior vice president Finnair Cargo said: “Finnair Cargo uses digitalization to radically improve transparency and efficiency of air cargo shipping processes.
“The direct data exchange with CargoWise allows us to share live data during the whole lifecycle from booking through to the execution of the Air Waybill, providing a seamless experience for our customers, without having to leave the CargoWise platform.
“As bookings are confirmed more quickly, it also enables Finnair Cargo to better optimize our capacity and quickly respond to shipment and market changes.
“We are considering expanding the data shared to also include AWB and customs information which makes this partnership with WiseTech even more valuable.”
Jorre Cobelens, vice president – logistics data and connectivity, WiseTech Global, added: “Our vision is for CargoWise to be the operating system for global logistics, increasing, productivity, visibility and data security across the end-to-end ecosystem. CargoWise now enables direct data exchange with most API connectable airlines, including Finnair Cargo, which helps bring this to reality.”
Finnair Cargo offers transport between Asia, Europe and North America through its Helsinki COOL hub.
The air cargo terminal features data monitoring systems as well as dedicated handling for temperature-controlled cargo.
American Airlines Cargo has expanded its presence on booking portal WebCargo with the addition of flights from 28 more countries.
The carrier said the extra countries are spread across Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.
“Following Europe and the US, this regional rollout onto WebCargo now includes a significant portion of the carrier’s global network, with plans to continue expanding on the platform in the coming months,” the carrier said.
American said it currently operates more than 5,000 monthly flights out of these regions, including widebody flights out of Buenos Aires (EZE), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Santiago (SCL) and São Paulo (GRU) to US hubs.
Lorena Sandoval, sales director – Florida, Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America for American Airlines Cargo, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer even more of our vast global network on the WebCargo platform as users can now enjoy direct connections to the US.
“Our priority is always to meet the unique needs of our customers, and we look forward to seeing how our growing partnership with WebCargo will continue to benefit the cargo industry.”
Camilo Garcia, global vice president business development at WebCargo, added: “The Americas and Caribbean play an absolutely vital role in global trade, particularly leading up to peak season, and we are confident that the thousands of forwarding offices in these regions on WebCargo and 7LFreight (airfreight rate quote provider) will benefit.”
SEKO Logistics is signaling their next phase of international airfreight growth with two global appointments to leverage opportunities from client demand for critical products, expansion of cross-border ecommerce, and new business from acquired companies.
Christopher Gregg joins SEKO as Senior Vice President Global Airfreight from his previous role as Vice President Airfreight, North America, at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. His experience spans airfreight management roles with C.H. Robinson, Kuehne + Nagel, and Expeditors International. At SEKO, he is based in Atlanta, in recognition of the city’s role as a global airfreight hub, and its strategic importance to SEKO going forward.
Shawn Richard, appointed as SEKO’s first VP of Global Airfreight in 2018, has also been promoted to Senior Vice President International Service Centers (ISCs) and will remain based in New York. Richard joined SEKO four years ago, having formerly worked with DHL Global Forwarding, Geodis, and Delta Airlines.
SEKO has been transitioning from their legacy Airfreight Gateway structure to operational International Service Centers – which has facilitated and enabled tremendous growth in airfreight and ecommerce shipping service offerings.
SEKO’s USA ISCs are currently operating in JFK and LAX and will be expanding into several other key markets over the next 6-12 months. SEKO ISCs are critical for ecommerce and air freight operations as they are Certified Cargo Screening Facilities (CCSF), as well as an acting import CFS for inbound parcels from Europe and Asia. With a global remit to optimize SEKO’s current ISCs and to implement further ISCs across the US and globally to meet the service requirements of airfreight clients.
These key global roles will enable SEKO to “structure and grow our global airfreight product, build our global airfreight team, and drive our airfreight focus in the US, Asia Pacific and Europe,” said Steen Christensen, who joined the company in June as Chief Operating Officer – International to lead SEKO’s Air and Ocean freight product growth.
“Strengthening our airfreight leadership team with new people and new roles reflects the increasing importance this product is having on our organization. As we expand geographically – both organically and through acquisitions – we must have the appropriate leadership in place to manage the future development and expansion of our airfreight products. These new appointments for Chris and Shawn support the needs of our customers and airline partners, the growth of our volumes, and the new business we are gaining,” he stated. “Airfreight is one of our fastest-growing products,
Alliance Ground International (AGI) has reached an agreement with Olivier Bijaoui to act as Advisor to help with the next phase of its expansion strategy to add passenger and cargo ground handling operations outside North America.
Bijaoui has been a prominent figure in the ground handing industry for 35 years and brings great knowledge and experience to AGI’s already well established senior management team.
“This is an exciting development for us to fulfil our desire to expand our service offerings beyond North America,” said Jared Azcuy, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AGI.
“Olivier’s expansive experience in the international airport services market will be invaluable to our growth trajectory.”
AGI, dubbed “The Cargo People” (TM pending), is one of the largest cargo and freighter ground handlers in North America.
“AGI’s investment and growth in North America has been very impressive and I look forward to help mirror its success in Europe and beyond,” said Bijaoui.
Over the previous ten months, AGI has announced the acquisitions of North American ground handling companies Airport Terminal Services (ATS), Total Airport Services (TAS), and MIC Cargo (Maestro), as well as significant investments in personnel, technology, and new facilities at Chicago and Newark airports.
DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider has announced the retirement of Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President for Australia and Papua New Guinea at the end of 2022. Phil Corcoran, currently Vice President Commercial Australia will assume the role of Managing Director, Australia and Papua New Guinea, effective 1 January 2023 and will report to Ken Lee, CEO Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
“Gary has dedicated his career to DHL and he has been instrumental in positioning DHL Express as a market leader in Oceania. He has increased our market share and revenue, built the partner network and laid a solid foundation for future growth.
I am excited to see Phil Corcoran taking over the mantle. I am very confident that he will continue to build on the success with the support of a very knowledgeable leadership team in the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO, APAC, DHL Express.
Edstein’s retirement follows 36 years of service, of which 20 years were spent most recently leading the Oceania, Australia and Papua New Guinea regions. His career with DHL began in 1986 as Sales Manager, before going on to lead as Country Manager for the New Zealand and Pacific Islands business (1993), Australia business (1998), and a stint overseas as Director Express for Logistics Japan (2000) and Project Director, Asia Pacific Logistics Optimization (2002). Under his strategic leadership, the company is now the market leader of the Time Definite International industry, growing its presence as a B2C brand. In 2021, DHL Express Australia was named the 2nd best workplace in Australia by Great Place to Work, and the company’s employee engagement studies have consistently recorded scores over 90%.
With 26 years of experience with DHL Express, Corcoran’s appointment strengthens the business’s position with in-depth market knowledge and experience. Starting his DHL career in Australia in 1996, he has held various commercial and management positions across the Oceania region, including General Manager for Fiji and the Pacific Islands (2002), National Sales Manager New Zealand (2005), and since 2012, Vice President Commercial Australia.
“As the Vice President Commercial Australia, Phil has led the commercial development of our business with a high-performing team, delivering consistent double-digit growth through unpredictable economic conditions. His customer-centric focus and advocacy for our culture of respect and results place us in a strong position going forward,” Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President, DHL Express Australia and Papua New Guinea said.
With the Australian arm of the business established in 1972, this year marks the company’s 50th year of operations in the country.
Maersk Kanoo UAE has signed an agreement with Dubai South, the largest single urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, for its new warehousing and distribution (W&D) facility in Dubai.
The 15,000 sq m “Maersk Integrated Logistics Centre DWC” facility in the Dubai South Logistics District will have a capacity to cater to 15,000 pallet positions and 10,000 bin locations; it will also serve as a fulfilment center.
The Maersk Integrated Logistics Centre DWC at Dubai South will become operational later this month.
The new facility will allow Maersk to operate a hybrid model of a bonded and non-bonded warehouse and serve different customer needs, including that of a fulfilment center for end-to-end e-commerce solutions.
This new facility will also play an important role in supporting Maersk’s existing services, including ocean shipping, landside transportation and customs clearance.
Maersk said customers will benefit from reduced handovers of their cargo through its journey, leading to potentially faster turnaround times, higher visibility, better control and more predictability of their supply chains.
Following the inauguration of the first (108,000 sq ft) W&D facility in Dubai in March, Maersk will more than double its total footprint in the UAE with the new fulfilment center.
Christopher Cook, managing director, Maersk UAE, said: “Upon carefully studying different possibilities, we zeroed in on Dubai South for our new fulfilment center considering its strategic location connected to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and the mainline port and hub of Jabal Ali.
“This will allow us to further build on our air-sea hub operation, which has become increasingly important while also satisfying the right balance between speed and cost with tremendous flexibility.”
Mohsen Ahmad, chief executive of the Logistics District, Dubai South, commented: “We are pleased to sign this agreement with Maersk, which will help expand its footprint across the UAE.
“Our mandate at Dubai South is to attract top international players to the Logistics District with the aim of boosting the logistics sector and diversifying the Emirate’s economy in line with the various government initiatives and strategies.
“In reinforcing Dubai’s status as global trade and airfreight logistics hub, we will spare no effort to offer Maersk optimal solutions to further advance its air cargo operations as well as support them in their growth journey.”
The agreement was signed by Cook and Ahmad at the regional headquarters of Maersk West & Central Asia in Dubai.
Last month, Maersk announced the planned purchase of project logistics firm Martin Bencher as part of efforts to expand its supply chain offering.
DHL Supply Chain has acquired Mexico-based pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics specialist New Transport Applications (NTA).
Currently, NTA serves more than 80 customers with services that include the storage and transportation of products that require refrigeration and temperature control.
The company makes more than 165,000 specialized deliveries annually, distributing more than 43,000 tons per year and has a team of nearly 600 people.
It maintains commercial agreements with major airlines in Mexico to serve nationally the different stakeholders in the pharmaceutical product supply chain.
The acquisition is in line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s strategic focus to strengthen its core logistics business and deliver long-term growth.
Agustin Croche, president of DHL Supply Chain Mexico, said: “This acquisition will further support DHL Supply Chain’s objectives of delivering superior value to our customers in the Mexican market.
“It will significantly bolster our footprint in a strategically important industry vertical for DHL globally, bringing together NTA’s proven operational capabilities, know-how and a team of healthcare experts. We expect to unlock significant growth opportunities for our customers and people.”
Rafael Figueroa, general director of NTA, added: “Becoming part of DHL Supply Chain is a significant and positive milestone in NTA’s history and recognition of the great team of people who drive this company since our foundation 20 years ago, We hope to merge our knowledge of the local market and experience in managing the cold chain with the resources and skills of the world leader in logistics for the benefit of our people and our customers.”
Mexico is the second largest pharmaceutical market in Latin America and shares a border and free trade agreement with the United States, the largest healthcare market globally.
Company turnover at international supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA has increased by 33% compared to the previous year, almost doubling 2019 and 2020 levels, following a string of global projects.
The business credits its global expansion for the impressive growth, having delivered work in countries such as Australia, France, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Mexico and Turkey. Looking to the future, SCALA has several upcoming supply chain and logistics projects across China, South America, Benelux, Ireland, and the US, spanning a variety of industries.
To better support its international client portfolio, the business has also announced plans to expand beyond its existing international partnerships. SCALA is already partnered with Ocean Group to run the SCALA China joint venture, providing supply chain best practice in the region. But is now focusing more on work in the US, having just confirmed a new American partner
In the last year, SCALA has been involved with a variety of projects, advising its client portfolio on topics such as the rise of automation, mergers and acquisitions, and continued environmental pressures.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) now account for 30% of SCALA’s business activity. Over the last year, SCALA has supported 11 M&A projects with seven different businesses, which has resulted in a two-fold increase in revenue from M&A related work, when compared to the previous year.
“Our continued growth over the past year can be attributed to numerous factors. Most notably, the national and global challenges of the past two years have incentivized companies to review their supply chain strategies and optimize their logistics networks to build increased resilience and flexibility throughout their supply chains,” John Perry, managing director at SCALA, said.
“Another major contributing factor is the acceleration in companies looking into AI, robotics, and automation. Businesses are increasingly exploring the opportunities these technologies offer to assist with the changing logistics landscape of continued resource shortages.”
“SCALA is establishing itself as an internationally renowned consultancy that brings innovation, data modelling expertise and the latest in technological developments, all with a pragmatic and critical approach from our highly experienced team. We have an excellent reputation across our industry for our honesty and, above all, for our consultants’ capability to work seamlessly with our clients’ teams.”
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