Freightos, a global leader in freight booking and digital solutions, has announced the acquisition of Shipsta, a prominent freight-tender procurement platform based in Luxembourg. This strategic move aims to broaden Freightos’ service offerings and strengthen its position in the global freight industry.
The acquisition, financed through a combination of €4.5 million in cash and approximately 640,000 Freightos shares, is set to enhance Freightos’ existing spot pricing, quoting, and booking services by integrating Shipsta’s advanced tender procurement capabilities. This segment represents 50-70% of the air and ocean freight market, making the addition a significant expansion of Freightos’ digital freight services.
Key Highlights:
Zvi Schreiber, CEO of Freightos, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “Shipsta’s platform, customer base, and experienced team will add significant value to our offering by introducing tender management and contract procurement. This move not only strengthens our market position but also aligns with our vision of end-to-end digitization of the freight industry.”
Freightos, known for its global freight booking and payment solutions, operates platforms such as Freightos Marketplace, WebCargo, and Clearit. The acquisition of Shipsta is set to accelerate Freightos’ growth, enhance its service offerings, and drive innovation in freight management.
Christian Wilhelm, CEO of Shipsta, highlighted the potential for growth and enhanced service: “Joining forces with Freightos will allow us to continue delivering exceptional service and efficiency to our customers while driving new efficiencies and innovation in the freight sector.”
The combined Freightos and Shipsta platform will offer a unified digital solution for carriers, freight forwarders, and importers/exporters, significantly improving the procurement and management of freight services globally.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has introduced FedEx Surround®, an advanced solution designed to revolutionize logistics and supply chain management by enhancing shipment control and visibility. Initially available to customers in Hong Kong SAR and Singapore, FedEx Surround® will soon expand to other Asia-Pacific markets, including mainland China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Korea, and Taiwan.
FedEx Surround® integrates seamlessly with FedEx’s existing transportation network, offering three levels of service: Select, Preferred, and Premium. This new suite of tools is tailored to support industries such as healthcare, aerospace, and high-tech by providing critical updates and interventions to ensure the integrity and timely delivery of sensitive shipments.
Key Features of FedEx Surround®:
FedEx Surround® leverages advanced sensor technology, including SenseAware ID, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transmit precise package location data every two seconds. This frequent data transmission, compared to traditional scanning protocols, allows FedEx to track packages hundreds of times, providing an unprecedented level of real-time visibility.
Kawal Preet, President of FedEx Asia Pacific, emphasized the impact of FedEx Surround®: “At FedEx, we are constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers. FedEx Surround® is not just about tracking; it’s about smartly intervening in real-time to ensure that shipments are actively managed to mitigate risks. This solution is a game-changer for businesses relying on just-in-time delivery and high-stakes shipments.”
FedEx’s commitment to innovation is evident in the strategic use of AI and machine learning technologies within the FedEx Surround® system, which helps predict potential disruptions and enables swift, informed decision-making. The introduction of FedEx Surround® marks a significant advancement in how businesses manage logistics, providing enhanced visibility and control over their supply chains.
DHL Express and Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre have announced the successful relocation of Chocolat, a female chimpanzee and victim of the illegal bushmeat trade in the Republic of Congo, to her new long-term home in Dorset, UK. This relocation was made possible through a coordinated effort involving DHL Express’s VIP transport service and the support of several wildlife organizations.
Chocolat, an infant when her family was hunted and killed, was found with shotgun pellet injuries that left her with a paralyzed hand and foot. After spending twenty years in Kenya under the care of her original rescuer, she has now arrived at Monkey World, which provides specialist care for chimpanzees smuggled from the wild or suffering from abuse and neglect.
To accommodate her needs, Monkey World has upgraded her new enclosure with lower platforms, new nesting areas, and cargo nets. Established in 1987, Monkey World is a 65-acre sanctuary home to over 230 primates from 25 species, including 52 chimpanzees. Chocolat joins this community and is being gradually introduced to six other chimpanzees who will become her new family. She has already made friendly contact with Bryan, the dominant male in her group, and is adapting to a diet with a larger variety of vegetables.
DHL Express provided Chocolat with a custom-built crate and a team of specialists including keepers, aircraft engineers, cargo handlers, security personnel, and pilots. Her journey began at Nairobi Airport on August 15th, included a brief stop in Bahrain, and concluded with a seven-hour flight to East Midlands Airport on August 16th, followed by a road transport to Monkey World. Throughout the trip, Chocolat was treated to fresh fruit, nuts, and sweet potato.
Supporting organizations included African Apes and the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, founded by Stefanie Powers. Powers expressed gratitude for DHL’s role, highlighting the importance of efforts to combat illegal primate trafficking.
Stefanie Powers, founder of William Holden Wildlife Foundation, said “In my avocation as a wildlife conservationist, I am concerned about the illegal trafficking of primates which continues unabated. It is only through the extraordinary efforts of individuals such as Alison Cronin and her Monkey World team that our fellow primates may be rescued and rehabilitated. We are only a fraction of DNA removed from all our primate brothers and sisters and it is a privilege to play a small part in helping to preserve and protect them. Thanks to the outstanding generosity and support from DHL one very special chimpanzee called Chocolat will have a chance at a fulfilling life. As a friend of Chocolat I am grateful to DHL and Monkey World.”
Dr Alison Cronin MBE, Director at Monkey World, said “We’re so happy to welcome Chocolat. The reason we exist is to offer a nurturing environment for chimpanzees and other primates and to give them back a fraction of what has been taken from them by humans, providing them with a family again. Companionship of their own kind is vital to chimpanzees’ wellbeing, as they are social, intelligent animals. Living in family groups in as natural an environment as possible is the best kind of rehabilitation we can provide to chimpanzees like Chocolat. Her integration will be gradual, but her journey has been very smooth, thanks to the support of DHL and so far, she is settling in well.”
Cain Moodie, EVP Network Operations for DHL Express in Europe, said, “It has been an honour to help Chocolat, the chimp, relocate to her new home at Monkey World. The logistics of transporting her were quite challenging, but our team of experts, in collaboration with Monkey World and her carers in Kenya, took every possible measure to ensure her journey was safe and comfortable. It’s a real pleasure for everyone at DHL when we can use our skills and network to contribute to projects such as this.”
Swissport International AG, a global leader in airport ground services and air cargo handling, has secured ISO 45001 certification across its worldwide operations. This certification, granted by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), highlights Swissport’s commitment to the highest standards of occupational health and safety.
The ISO 45001 certification covers nearly 300 stations in 44 countries, encompassing Swissport’s diverse services including ground operations, passenger services, baggage handling, aircraft and air cargo handling, fueling, and ASPIRE airport lounges. This certification underscores Swissport’s dedication to creating a safe and healthy work environment for its 60,000 employees globally.
David Clark, Head of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment at Swissport, emphasized, “The safety and well-being of our employees are our top priorities. Achieving ISO 45001 certification globally is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to providing a secure and healthy workplace for all our colleagues. It is a testament to our robust safety management system, which includes comprehensive training, rigorous risk assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives.”
The certification process involved a thorough review and audit by LRQA, including on-site inspections across multiple locations to verify compliance with ISO 45001 standards. LRQA will conduct annual surveillance audits, with recertification required every three years.
Swissport’s adherence to ISO 45001 fosters a culture of prevention, risk mitigation, and employee well-being, enhancing operational reliability and service quality for its airline and airport partners worldwide.
A new air-freight route has been inaugurated between Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Bournemouth, UK. The service, operating four round trips weekly with each journey taking approximately 10 hours, was announced by Urumqi Diwopu International Airport.
This new route enhances connectivity between Xinjiang and the UK, facilitating the import of key goods such as clothing, shoes, and boots. The cargo service is part of a broader expansion of international freight routes by the airport, which now includes eight destinations in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Hungary, and Britain.
Bournemouth Airport, part of Regional and City Airports (RCA) group, has increasingly established itself as a significant air cargo hub. It has recently handled European Cargo flights from Chengdu and Haikou, with ongoing plans to expand its fleet with additional Airbus A340 freighters. The airport has become a major import center for the UK e-commerce market.
Xinjiang’s expanding cargo network continues to support the import of camel milk, clothing, and other goods while facilitating the export of fresh-cut flowers, medicines, and more.
airBaltic confirms an incremental order for an additional 10 A220-300s. This new and fourth reorder will take the airline’s total firm order to 90 A220 aircraft. Already operating a strong fleet of close to 50 A220-300s, airBaltic is currently the largest A220 customer in Europe and the largest A220-300 operator in the world.
The Latvian flag carrier has a long standing history operating the Airbus A220-300, having been the launch customer in 2016. Since 2020, the airline has operated an A220-exclusive fleet. With a firm order for 90 A220-300, airBaltic further reinforces its position as the largest A220 customer in Europe.
Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, said: “For the first time in the company’s history, airBaltic plans to operate a fleet of close to 100 A220-300 aircraft, and these exercised options are the next step in the right direction. Over the years, this aircraft type has proven its operational capabilities and value – it has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic. By exercising these options, we are strengthening our unwavering support and trust in the A220 Programme and are looking forward to our fleet expansion over the upcoming years.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business, said: “We are honored and thankful that airBaltic is placing its fourth follow-up order. This latest agreement from Latvia’s flag carrier is a strong endorsement of the superior value and operational opportunities offered by this latest generation aircraft. The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a spacious cabin driving the best Net Promoter Scores with passengers wherever it is operated, and the range capability to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s current network and beyond.”
The A220 is the most modern airliner in its class, carrying between 120 to 150 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km). It has the largest cabin, seats and windows in its class, ensuring superior comfort.
Combining state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines, the A220 brings customers a 50% reduced noise footprint when compared to previous generation aircraft and around 40% lower NOx emissions than industry standards. The aircraft offers 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.
As at the end of July, Airbus won more than 900 orders from around 30 customers for the A220, of which around 350 have been delivered. The A220 is already in successful service with more than 20 operators worldwide on 1,400+ routes.
Alaska Airlines is advancing towards completing its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) chose not to challenge the deal.
Announced in December, the merger will see Hawaiian become a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska, maintaining its brand and jobs.
The DOJ’s review period expired on August 20 without objections, a notable development as the Biden administration has previously opposed similar consolidation efforts in the airline industry. The merger is also subject to approval from the Department of Transportation, which Alaska and Hawaiian are addressing.
Hawaiian Airlines’ shareholders approved the acquisition in February, and a recent lawsuit attempting to block the deal on competition grounds was dismissed earlier this month. The merger aims to expand travel options and cargo services, enhancing competition and destination reach for Hawaii residents.
The combined airline will operate an estimated 365 aircraft, including a planned introduction of ten converted freighters by Hawaiian Airlines to bolster its cargo capacity. Alaska Airlines has committed to preserving Hawaiian’s brand and services, with CEO Ben Minicucci slated to lead the new entity, headquartered in Seattle.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has expressed confidence that the merger will benefit local businesses and residents by increasing travel options and enhancing industry competition.
“The merger will vastly expand the number of destinations throughout North America for Hawaii residents that can be reached nonstop or one-stop from the islands,” he says.
Atlas Air Worldwide is set to enhance its airfreight capabilities with the addition of three Boeing 747-8 freighters, scheduled to enter service in late Q4 2024.
This move comes as part of Atlas Air’s strategy to meet the soaring global demand for large widebody freighters, particularly in cross-border e-commerce.
The new 747-8Fs, acquired through long-term finance lease agreements with BOC Aviation, will strengthen Atlas Air’s position as the world’s largest operator of 747 freighters. These aircraft will join Atlas’s existing fleet of 65 freighters, which includes 17 747-8Fs and 39 747-400Fs, as well as other large cargo aircraft.
The Boeing 747-8 freighter is renowned for its advanced technology and environmental efficiency. It offers a 20% increase in payload capacity compared to the 747-400F and a 25% increase over the 777-200LRF. Additionally, the 747-8F achieves a 16% reduction in fuel consumption relative to its predecessor. Unique among freighters, the 747-8 is factory-built with nose-loading capability, making it exceptionally suited for large-scale, heavy cargo operations.
Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, emphasized the significance of this expansion: “We are thrilled to expand our widebody fleet with these three 747-8Fs, following the acquisition of four 747-400Fs earlier this year. This growth underscores our commitment to the 747 freighter platform, which continues to deliver exceptional payload capacity and unique nose-loading capability that our customers value.”
Steven Townend, Chief Executive and Managing Director of BOC Aviation, highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership: “Atlas manages the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft and is ideally positioned to operate these latest-generation aircraft. As global airfreight volumes reach record highs, this transaction showcases our ability to provide capacity solutions to a diverse range of airline customers.”
In addition to expanding its fleet, Atlas Air’s strategic focus remains on leveraging the robust demand for dedicated large widebody freighters. The new 747-8Fs will be deployed under long-term agreements, providing additional operational flexibility and supporting Atlas Air’s goal of delivering world-class service to its global customer base.
As Atlas Air continues to lead the industry in airfreight capabilities, this latest fleet expansion highlights its ongoing commitment to innovation and growth in the logistics sector.
The Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community is reporting steady growth of life sciences exports and has attracted new cargo capacity, according to figures provided by Rotate.
Healthcare exports from the island are up eight percent and commercial capacity is up seven percent year-on-year, based on information from the air cargo data specialists, which partners with the Community to provide an online dashboard tracking cargo movements to and from Puerto Rico.
Air cargo capacity on flights to Europe increased by 22 percent, whilst capacity on routes to South America was up 35 percent on last year.
The data shows a lower dependence on integrator capacity, down two percent on 2023 to 64 percent, while overall integrator capacity remained stable.
“The Rotate report offers essential insights into Puerto Rico’s air cargo landscape, providing our logistics community with the knowledge needed to stay informed and understand the dynamics of life sciences cargo movement,” said Varlin Vissepó, Executive Director and Chairman of the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community.
“This data empowers the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community to make informed decisions that strengthen our collective position in the industry.
“We deeply value the strong support from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, which has been instrumental in advancing our shared initiatives. Together, we are making significant strides in positioning Puerto Rico as a key player in global life sciences logistics.”
Rotate’s figures are presented on a dashboard on the Community’s web site at prlifesciencehub.org, which is part of a series of initiatives, including the training program to help companies achieve the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators certification, and a survey of warehousing facilities and trucking services to populate an online directory.
“The Rotate report is a testament to the significant progress made in establishing Puerto Rico as a premier life sciences airfreight hub in the Americas,” said Manuel Cidre, Secretary of the DEDC.
“The Department of Economic Development and Commerce is proud to support the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community in its efforts to expand life sciences exports and attract new air cargo capacity.
“Our collaborative initiatives — including the IATA CEIV certification program, the development of a comprehensive industry dashboard, and incentives to enhance climate-controlled warehousing —have been instrumental in driving these positive results. The data clearly demonstrates that Puerto Rico is on the right path to becoming a global leader in life sciences logistics.”
Rotate is an air cargo consulting, data, and software specialist, which has partnered with the Community to provide members with insights into the Puerto Rican air cargo market.
To view a full presentation of the most recent results, visit the web site prlifesciencehub.org
The Community is free-of-charge to join and open to any Puerto Rico-based company operating in the Life Sciences and, or, airfreight industry.
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