Ethiopian Airlines is excited to announce the launch of a new daily flight service to Port Sudan, commencing on October 15, 2024.
This expansion further strengthens the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity across Africa and supporting regional socio-economic growth through increased trade and tourism.
“We are pleased to connect our Sudanese brothers and sisters from Port Sudan to Addis Ababa, and to the rest of the world using our extensive global network,” said Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines. “By introducing daily flights to Port Sudan, we are bridging cultures and economies. This expansion is a testament to our unwavering dedication to serve our continent and its people, driving progress and prosperity through the skies.”
The new route will provide convenient travel options for passengers flying between Ethiopia and Sudan, as well as those connecting from Ethiopian Airlines’ global network to this key Red Sea port city. This service underscores Ethiopian Airlines’ dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the African market, contributing to the continent’s economic development.
Flight Details
The inaugural flight, ET350, will depart from Addis Ababa at 11:00 and land in Port Sudan at 12:15. The return flight, ET351, will leave Port Sudan at 14:15, arriving in Addis Ababa at 17:30. The flights will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines’ state-of-the-art Boeing 737 Max, ensuring passengers a comfortable and efficient journey.
With Port Sudan now part of Ethiopian Airlines’ network, the airline reaches 66 destinations within Africa. This expansion highlights Ethiopian’s focus on increasing its presence throughout the continent while enhancing connectivity for both business and leisure travelers.
Gateway to Sudan’s Economic Growth
Port Sudan, strategically located along the Red Sea, serves as a key hub for commerce and economics in the region. “This new route opens opportunities for businesses, travelers, and communities,” said Tasew. Ethiopian Airlines aims to promote cross-border collaboration, unlocking economic prospects and enhancing cultural exchange in Sudan.
For flight schedules and bookings, passengers can visit Ethiopian Airlines’ website or contact their local office.
About Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines Group is Africa’s largest airline and one of the fastest-growing carriers globally. In its 78 years of operation, Ethiopian has become a leader in passenger and cargo services, operating a young and modern fleet to over 150 destinations worldwide. Ethiopian Airlines is pursuing a Vision 2035 strategy, aiming to become one of the world’s top 20 aviation groups.
Ethiopian Airlines is a Star Alliance member and has won Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for seven consecutive years.
Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) has welcomed Peter Penseel, to its new Supervisory Board.
Penseel, who is president of Delta Airlines cargo, brings over 30 years of experience in airfreight, including senior roles at Qatar Airways, DHL Global Forwarding, UTi, and CEVA Logistics.
Schiphol Nederland NV, alongside the Province of Limburg, joined as shareholders of NV HBLM in 2023 and have now decided to appoint Penseel as a fourth member of the supervisory board to bolster MST’s commitment to their cargo growth and objectives.
“Maastricht Airport is looking to the future with a new CEO, Joos Meijs, joining next month and a robust plan for further developing our cargo services,” said Jonas van Stekelenburg, CEO, Maastricht Aachen Airport.
“Peter’s solid track record in airfreight adds weight to our new Supervisory Board and we look forward to his help in driving new initiatives for our cargo offering.”
MST, the Netherlands’ second largest cargo hub, has a new management structure following investment from the Royal Schiphol Group, owners of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
The Supervisory Board, which is tasked with steering future growth at the airport, is made up of experts in various disciplines within aviation and business, including Frans Weekers, Angelique Palmen and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Kjell Kloosterziel.
MST last year invested EUR35.3 million to upgrade its runway as part of an ongoing EUR100 million infrastructure development plan.
DANX has begun using Duo trailer, the ‘Tractor+trailer+Dolly+trailer system’, in its Swedish operations.
Following a change in Swedish legislation, which freed up HGVs with two or three trailers up to 34.5 metres in length to operate on around 590 kilometres of road, the time critical logistics specialist will begin to operate Duo trailers which it anticipates will reduce emissions by up to 7 percent and improve operations’ efficiency.
“This change in the law is great news for both our customers and DANX’s ambitions to reduce emissions,” said Martin Grauers, Managing Director, Sweden.
“It will enable DANX to help its customers reach their increasingly challenging emissions reduction targets which are a high priority right now across the Nordics and throughout Europe.
“Furthermore, as DANX operates between 140 to 150 heavy trucks and tractor-trailers on a daily basis in Sweden, reducing our carbon footprint is key to our own ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ambitions.”
To accommodate the new sized vehicles, the Swedish Transport Administration has established the ‘E-service’ that consists of the main road network and connecting roads.
Companies are required to apply to the E-service if they want additional roads to be added to the 34.5 m vehicle road network.
“As well as being able to take advantage of the change in Swedish legislation with Duo trailer, we are already deeply invested in the use of biodiesel or biogas for linehauls, and electric vehicles for last mile distribution in urban areas which will bring further benefits to both our customers and the wider public,” said Grauers.
Duo trailer has been undergoing tests in Europe since 2014, with operations already underway in Spain.
In Australia, Duo trailer (more commonly referred to as Double, B-double or road train) are already a common sight with, in some cases, three trailers stretching up to 53.5m in length.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd (PACTL), one of the largest single air cargo terminal operators worldwide, has successfully rolled out Hermes 5 at four cargo terminals—three in PVG and one in SHA.
Hermes Logistics Technologies (HLT) completed the upgrade within a short window, meaning minimal downtime for PACTL. The air cargo operator handles up to two million tonnes of cargo per year in its multiple terminal system and continued to function with little effect on its operation.
“This was an upgrade, but on a massive scale that required comprehensive discovery work and preparation to ensure the switchover was both simultaneous and short, and downtime was reduced as much as possible,” said Yuval Baruch, Chief Executive Officer of Hermes Logistics Technologies.
“A key element of the project was the integration of Hermes 5 with other technology partners working with PACTL, through our standard and bespoke APIs. These enable full integration with other solutions, so data can be shared and operational efficiencies gained.”
PACTL’s large-scale upgrade involved a comprehensive gap analysis, database optimisation, and training delivered in Chinese through the Hermes Learning Management System (LMS).
“This upgrade has opened the door for us to provide customised services while also improving operational convenience. The partnership with HLT enhances our operational efficiency and ensures we stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the air cargo industry,” said Carsten Hernig, Deputy General Manager VP Sales & Marketing and Production.
“Hermes 5 offers Cargo iQ messaging services such as FOW and FIW, and we have opted for a localised deployment to maximise data security.”
PACTL is the latest in a series of cargo handlers to implement or upgrade to HLT’s latest, function-rich CMS, Hermes 5, in 2024. Hermes 5, typically implemented in the Cloud, is surrounded by the Hermes Ecosystem, a suite of SaaS solutions available on a pay-as-you-go basis. These include APIs, Business Intelligence, and Track and Trace.
APIs (Application Programming Interface) are required to link different software systems and enable seamless communication and data exchange between them.
Since Hellmann Worldwide Logistics set up a central distribution center for Wilo in the German town Werne around two years ago, both companies have significantly strengthened their cooperation.
The global logistics provider has successively expanded its operational services for the premium manufacturer of pumps and pump systems for the building technology, water, and industry sectors. By doubling the warehouse capacity, leased from Garbe Industrial Real Estate, the two corporations are creating ideal conditions for further collaboration and at the same time unlocking opportunities for strategic growth.
The central storage facility, which has been extended to a total of 40,000 square meters, links many strategically important operational processes for Wilo. In addition to supporting global distribution processes, the facility also supports the production supply for the nearby Wilo factory in Dortmund. To organize the processes even more efficiently and integrate them seamlessly, other warehouse locations have been merged and consolidated in Werne in recent years.
“The consolidation of our warehouses enables a significant simplification and simultaneous optimization of the supply chain, which not only increases the flow of materials, but also communication and delivery reliability for our customers,” says Hans Keeris, Senior Vice President Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics for the Wilo Group.
“We are very appreciative of the continuous development of our partnership with Wilo. The doubling of our warehouse capacity in Werne not only enables us to further optimize our operational services but is also a good basis for jointly implementing innovative and sustainable solutions and continuous growth,” says Volker Sauerborn, Chief Operating Officer Contract Logistics at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
Worldwide average air cargo spot rates rose to a new 2024 high in the first full week of September, boosted by a surge in tonnages and spot rates from Asia Pacific origins, particularly to North America and Europe, according to the latest figures and analysis from WorldACD Market Data.
Average global spot rates increased by +6% to US$2.85 per kilo in week 36 (2-8 September), compared with the previous week, +30% higher than the equivalent week last year, thanks to week-on-week (WoW) increases of +6% from Asia-Pacific origins and +7% from Middle East & South Asia (MESA) origins, taking spot rates from those regions +41% and +101% higher, year on year (YoY). Average worldwide contract rates also edged up by a further +3% to $2.48 a kilo, generating a $2.59 per kilo full-market average of spot rates and contract rates – a WoW +3% rise and a YoY increase of +16%. That’s an increase of +51% compared with the last pre-Covid equivalent period, September 2019.
Worldwide tonnages edged downwards by -1% in week 36, due largely to a -12% decrease from North America origins linked to Labor Day holidays on 2 September in the USA and Canada.
Combining the figures for weeks 35 and 36, worldwide tonnages and average rates both rose by +2% compared with the previous two weeks (2Wo2W), thanks largely to a +6% rise in tonnages from Asia Pacific origins and a +2% rise in rates from that region. Globally, capacity fell by -2%, on a 2Wo2W basis, largely due a -5% reduction from North America origins.
Among the biggest changes was a +11% 2Wo2W increase in intra-Asia Pacific tonnages, as volumes continued to rebound from the effects of various typhoons in recent weeks. Tonnage increases, 2Wo2W, from Asia Pacific origins to Europe (+6%) and to North America (+4%) helped take overall global chargeable weight +9% above its equivalent level last year, with average rates up +15%, YoY.
China-Europe spot rates soar
Among the biggest price increases in week 36 was a +18% WoW jump in spot rates from China to Europe, to US$ 4.39 per kilo – one of the highest levels this year, and +46% above their level this time last year, based on the more than 450,000 weekly transactions covered by WorldACD’s data. That accompanied a +4% WoW rise in China to Europe tonnages. Meanwhile, spot rates from Thailand to Europe surged by a further +14%, WoW, to $3.73 per kilo – a rise of more than one-third (+34%) in just three weeks – taking Thailand to Europe spot rates to almost double (+86%) their level this time last year.
Average spot rates from Asia Pacific to the USA crept up by a further +3%, WoW, to $6.16 per kilo – the highest level for several months, and a YoY increase of +64% – while chargeable weight flown remained stable, WoW. There are no clear signs of any overall drop in tonnages from Asia Pacific to the USA resulting from new security changes introduced in the USA last month. But tonnages from China to the USA, and particularly to LAX airport, have been significantly down, YoY, in the last eight weeks, most likely due to tighter customs checks of Chinese origin cargo at LAX since the start of the summer.
From MESA, tonnages have been somewhat volatile in the last few weeks – including a -21% WoW drop from Dubai to Europe and a +21% WoW increase from Colombo to Europe in week 36. But spot rates from MESA origins to Europe remain exceptionally high and rose by a further +7% in week 36 to an average of $3.42 per kilo – more than double (+116%) their level last year – thanks to further increases from Dubai (+8%, WoW) and Bangladesh (+5%, WoW), to $2.30 and $5.33 per kilo, respectively.
DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, a provider in temperature-controlled active packaging solutions, is expanding its team by appointing Gianmarco Steinhauer as the new Business Development Manager for Germany, effective from September 2nd. Gianmarco brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as a Cold Chain Visibility Specialist at DHL and, most recently, as Head of Business Development for the DACH region at Logmore. His background has equipped him with deep expertise and a strong network in pharmaceutical logistics.
In his new role as Business Development Manager, Gianmarco Steinhauer will drive the expansion of DoKaSch TS in Germany. “I look forward to working with our customers to tackle their individual challenges and develop customized solutions that provide real added value for their cold chain logistics,” said Gianmarco Steinhauer.
The German pharmaceutical market is proving to be a dynamic and growing economic sector. For instance, the domestic pharmacy market recorded an impressive total revenue of 73 billion euros last year, an increase of more than five percent.
In addition to strong sales, import and export are also crucial for the German pharmaceutical market. The USA, Ireland, and Switzerland are particularly important as suppliers—markets where DoKaSch Temperature Solutions is also active and operates stations for its Opticooler®, a high-quality, reliable, and temperature-controlled packaging solution.
“With Gianmarco Steinhauer as our new Business Manager, we are strengthening our German team and simultaneously expanding our network in our home market,” says Andreas Seitz, Managing Director at DoKaSch Temperature Solutions. “His expertise will help us further strengthen our market position in Germany and offer even better services to our customers.”
About DoKaSch Temperature Solutions:
DoKaSch is a family-owned supplier of loading equipment to the global aviation industry. With almost 30 years of experience, DoKaSch has acquired a far-reaching set of skills to develop, manufacture, maintain and market all sorts of unit load devices (ULD) for the transportation of goods and luggage in aircrafts around the world.
At DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, we focus on renting out our Opticooler®, an inhouse developed air-conditioned temperature-controlled container, for global air cargo shipments. The Opticooler® is designed to transport and safeguard high value, temperature sensitive cargo such as pharmaceuticals on intercontinental flights.
The “Made in Germany” DoKaSch Opticooler® work autonomously with batteries. It is valued for its exceptional reliability and performance at any climatic and weather situation and keeps cargo very accurately within the 2-8°C or 15-25°C range.
Many well-known pharmaceutical companies have been relying on the Opticooler® for years as a way to deliver their vital medicines safely, reliably and undamaged to patients around the world.
As of 1 October 2024, Elodie Berthonneau will assume the role of Vice President Asia-Pacific at Lufthansa Cargo, based in Singapore. She will lead the sales and handling organization across key markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Oceania.
Berthonneau brings over 25 years of aviation experience, having held senior management roles in sales, pricing, profit management, and strategic planning at Qatar Airways, Air France KLM, and British Airways. Her most recent role was Vice President Network Planning and Strategic Partnership at Qatar Cargo.
Anand Kulkarni, Head of Global Markets at Lufthansa Cargo, said: “We are happy to welcome Elodie Berthonneau as Head of Asia-Pacific. The Asian region is one of our most important markets and is expected to become even more relevant in the coming years. Combining her expertise within the industry and Lufthansa Cargo’s brand knowledge, she will set new accents in our Asia-Pacific organization and in the dialogue with our customers.”
Berthonneau succeeds Florian J. Pfaff in this critical role, positioning Lufthansa Cargo to strengthen its presence and customer engagement in one of the world’s most vital regions for cargo operations.
Intersec Saudi Arabia to tackle fire safety in the built environment amidst US$819 billion construction boom
Leading UK fire and safety expert Neil Odin to outline strategies for effective post-incident fire management during the Fire Protection and Technology summit
Saudi Arabia currently has over 5,200 ongoing construction projects worth more than US$819 billion, according to research, underscoring the need for robust fire safety strategies in the built environment
Taking place from 1-3 October, the sixth edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Intersec Saudi Arabia, the country’s leading trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, will highlight the importance of fire safety strategies in the built environment in a panel discussion with Neil Odin, Chief Fire Officer from the UK National Fire Chiefs Council, a leading figure in fire safety.
With more than 30 years of experience in the UK fire service, Odin will bring unique insights into the challenges faced by the Middle East as part of his panel discussion, Crisis to Recovery: Strategies for Effective Fire Post-Incident Management, which takes place on the opening day of the exhibition as part of the Fire Protection & Technology Summit.
According to research from Mordor Intelligence, Saudi Arabia currently has over 5,200 ongoing construction projects, with an estimated total value exceeding USD 819 billion. These projects encompass a wide range of sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction, underscoring the need for an effective Fire Safe Design strategy.
“A response strategy cannot stand alone; it must be intricately linked with fire-safe building designs and comprehensive prevention strategies. Understanding the root causes of fire disasters and sharing this knowledge is key to innovating effective solutions,” said Odin.
“The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, holds the potential to lead in global fire management through its focus on designing out risks in new developments,” he added.
The session will discuss the crucial phases following a fire, highlighting best practices and innovative approaches to post-incident recovery, focusing on restoring normality in affected populations, buildings, and responder teams. Jamal Al Ghamdi, Corporate Process Safety Director, Sadara Chemical Company, will join Odin on the panel.
Elsewhere on the opening day of the Summit, sessions to be covered include Educating and Empowering Communities: Promoting Fire Safety Awareness and Preparedness, Fire Safety Hazards for Electric Vehicles and Lessons Learned from Past Disasters: Empowering Emergency Preparedness, amongst others.
The second day of the Summit will see a full agenda addressing topics such as Integrating IoT and AI in Fire Safety Systems, Maturity of Robotics Deployment in Fire Fighting, Safeguarding Fire Safety Infrastructure Against Threats and Challenges, and Fire Challenges Due to Climate Change with a range of experts from various fields critical to fire safety.
Riham Sedik, Show Manager—Intersec Saudi Arabia, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Intersec Saudi Arabia has an integral role to play in providing a platform for some of the greatest minds and most experienced individuals to come together from around the world to discuss critical challenges, opportunities, standards & policies, and technology relating to fire safety.
“Our packed agenda ensures Intersec Saudi Arabia remains a key date for all concerned in this field.”
Running alongside the Fire Protection and Technology Summit is the Future Security and Safety Summit, which is focused on the groundbreaking convergence of security thought leadership, innovation, and global expertise. These two Summits are part of Intersec Saudi Arabia’s high-level content and conference programme, all of which are CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified.
The show floor, which will cover five product categories, including Commercial & Perimeter Security, Cybersecurity, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire and Rescue, and Safety and Health, has seen unprecedented demand from exhibitors this year, with the show sold out two months ahead of the opening day.
To accommodate participants’ demand, the exhibition has increased in size by 34% from 2023 and will now cover a total area of 23,000 sqm across five halls and a dedicated outdoor space.
Intersec Saudi Arabia, which is Organised by 1st Arabia and licensed by Messe Frankfurt, the exhibition will be held in association with The High Commission for Industrial Security and The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense. It will return for a sixth edition from 1 – 3 October at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC).
Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and Founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences said: “I’m delighted to see such a high calibre of experts who will be able to share insights from their many years of experience. This secures our position as a must-attend exhibition.”
Aerios, a member of CargoTech, has launched its first product, the Carrier App, a charter management system designed to increase efficiency and revenue for cargo charter carriers.
The app integrates with flight operations, CRM, and communication systems to create a streamlined digital workflow, automating manual tasks and eliminating the need for spreadsheets and group email inboxes. Simon Watson, founder of Aerios and co-founder of CharterSync, said the goal is to help brokers, charter professionals, and carriers work more efficiently, surface real-time data, and maximise revenue opportunities.
“Our mission at Aerios is to enable teams to spend less time on manual processes and more time on relationships and growth,” Watson explained. “The Carrier App was developed in collaboration with several cargo charter carriers, following extensive trials and research workshops. It eliminates error-prone and cumbersome processes, offering a single tool for consistent workflow across the entire team.”
The app is designed specifically for the complex and ad hoc cargo charter market, which is often unsupported by commonly used sales tools. Carriers are frequently forced to choose between manual processes or costly investments to customise existing CRM tools, but Aerios’ solution offers an alternative that does not require expensive IT integrations.
In addition to its streamlined workflow, the Carrier App provides access to aggregated market trends and data, helping carriers make informed decisions and maximise revenue. It centralises communication, internal data reports, market insights, and quotations, ensuring that charter teams remain informed and responsive. “The app is already live with a group of carriers, and we will be announcing airline partnerships in the coming months,” Watson added.
Aerios plans to expand its product line with additional tools to further support carriers in distributing their capacity to market.
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
