ACW 13 August 2018 by Azura International

The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 994

13 August 2018

60 Secs of Summer

HIDDEN IN PLANE SIGHT

ildlife traffickers are highly dependent on air transport to smuggle endangered species, with seizures quadrupling between 2009 and 2017, ROUTES’s In Plane Sight report claims. The report, In Plane Sight: Wildlife Trafficking in the Air Transport Sector, produced by C4ADS as part of the USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership analyses global airport seizures of illegal wildlife and wildlife products from 2009 and 2017, showing rhino horn seizures almost tripled in 2017. The data indicates that wildlife traf-

k+n acquires panatlantic ecuador

fickers moving ivory, rhino horn, reptiles, birds, pangolins, marine products and mammals by air tend to rely on large hub airports all over the world. According to the report, routes of wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn and pangolin tend to flow from Africa to Asia, often transiting through the Middle East and Europe. Smugglers moving live animals including birds and reptiles generally rely on direct flights, with China by far the most common destination for all seized wildlife products between 2009 and 2017. Michelle Owen from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network is the ROUTES Partnership lead, and she says: “Criminals involved in wildlife traffick-

60 seconds of summer with derek jones

The PR man with a ticket to ride

ing are often directly connected to other illegal networks, including narcotics and human trafficking. By addressing wildlife trafficking, airports and airlines not only help protect endangered species, they also strengthen their operations and supply chains.” In Plane Sight outlines a number of recommendations including building awareness among personnel and passengers, training staff, strengthening corporate policies and seizure protocols, and sharing seizure information. Airports Council International (ACI) World senior manager of environment, Juliana Scavuzzi says traffickers are abusing transport systems to move products quickly, saying: “This provides airports with an important opportunity to play their role in preventing wildlife trafficking. ACI is committed to developing a framework to fight wildlife trafficking, and support our members with their efforts.” The report says illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest black market in the world, worth $20 billion annually, impacting more than 7,000 species of animals and plants.

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Flying giraffes is no stretch for ABC

There’s always one: spoiling the perfect group shot AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has transported 66 giraffes on a charter flight from South Africa to China via its hub in Moscow. The 66 baby giraffes, collectively weighing around 38 tonnes, were on their way to various animal parks in the Zhengzhou region, travelling from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport via ABC’s hub at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport. The long-necked animals travelled in groups of three in each container and were accompanied by animal specialists as well as a plentiful supply of water and food for the journey. A dedicated abc CARE team ensured all of the flight and handling procedures were organised in compliance with IATA Live Animal Regulations and provided their expertise to complete the required documentation for the transportation. ABC general director, Sergey Lazarev says: “Each time we organise a dedicated charter flight with live animals onboard, we fully understand the high level of our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.” BSI Logistics Tianjin was the customer for the flight; airfreight manager Jasmine Zhang says: “We’re happy to see our lovely giraffes starting their new lives in China. Thankfully, they are all safe and healthy! We really appreciate ABC’s hard work, professional assistance and support. We think our best choice is to choose your charter service for our next shipment.”

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townes’ touchdown for a tradition

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DHL wastes no time chartering the AN225

HL Global Forwarding has chartered the Antonov AN-225 to help transport four waste heat boilers from Germany to Saudi Arabia. The multi-modal movement is being handled by DHL Industrial Projects, a unit of DHL Global Forwarding specialising in safe and reliable transport for oversized and heavylift cargo. Four boilers weighing 140 tons each, and measuring 3.7 metres in height, 4.1 metres in width and 19 metres in length were transported on the AN-225 in separate flights with an interval of roughly two to four weeks, each taking about seven days. The first three boilers have arrived at their destination in Jubail at the Persian Gulf and the fourth is on its way. The journey started at the manufacturer’s plant in Berlin, where they were transported to Leipzig Airport via the River Elbe, reloaded at the port of Aken and via road, and from Leipzig they were shipped to Saudi Arabia. On their journey, the boilers were moved with the help of a 1,000-ton mobile crane, a barge and a heavy goods transporter with 20 axles and a total weight of around 275 tons, as well as the AN-225. DHL Industrial Projects chief executive officer, Nikola Hagleitner says: “When it comes to break-bulk logistics, our customers

DHL brings bear necessities to Yorkshire DHL Global Forwarding has safely moved four Ussuri brown bears from Hokkaido, Japan to their new home at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Riku, Kai, Hanako and Amu’s 20-hour journey involved travelling by special temperature controlled trucks chilled to 10C for the journey to New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. From there, they flew to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport where they were loaded on a connecting flight to London’s Heathrow Airrport, accompanied by two vets and two animal handlers. Purpose-built creates were produced for each of the bears. The animals can weigh up to 550 kilogrammes and require temperatures to be maintained as closely as possible to their native climate in northern Japan and Korea. DHL Global Forwarding worked closely with the Park to plan and carry out the move, including providing expedited customs clearance for the bears’ arrival in London while Park staff managed the final leg of the journey from the airport to their new home. DHL Global Forwarding vice president airfreight UK, Paul

Chinery says: “We at DHL Global Forwarding are proud to have the chance to support the important work of institutions like Yorkshire Wildlife Park with our wide range of competencies, from rapid multimodal freight to customs clearance of sensitive cargo.” The bears will spend the rest of their lives in the care of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which also hosts one of the largest polar bear conservation projects in the world.

Growth slows in June as world trade deteriorates

rely on our dedicated teams and their extensive expertise in some 60 offices across 45 countries. With this exciting transport we are again reaffirming our role as facilitator of global trade, no matter how challenging the task.” Head of DHL Industrial Projects Germany, Peer-Wulf Herrmann adds: “We offer our clients safe, compliant and reliable management during the complete process of planning, organisation and coordination of the transport. Even though unusual and special transports like this are our daily business, we are always happy to support projects of this nature with our capabilities and making the impossible possible.”

Baa-rilliant charter flight

MAB Kargo has carried 1,500 sheep across the Java Sea from Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur on a charter flight in time for the Aidil Adha festival. Flight MH6435 left Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport at 17.05 on 2 August with 50 tonnes of livestock on board and landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 20.45. This was the first ever charter MAB Kargo operated out of Surabaya, with two more shipments following on 8 August and 13 August, catering for Aidil Adha demand. The festival is expected to fall on 22 August. The 20 crates were moved into waiting trucks to the next destination by the ground crew as well as MAB Kargo’s Animal Hotel staff. MAB Kargo sales and marketing general marketing, Amiroel Shazrie Yussof says Animal Hotel staff undergo regular training to stay up-to-date and ensure safety of animals, saying: “In the past, we have transported exotic animals such as dolphins, sea lions, tiger sharks, baby giraffes and rhinoceros to name a few. Equines, cattle and livestock are also frequent commodities on our charter service.”

ACW REWIND 500

In the run-up to our 1,000th issue next month, we are recalling stories from an earlier memorable mile-stone: our 500th issue.

Spreading the (ACW) word Volume 11 Issue 47 24 November 2008

he growth in global airfreight demand continues to slow with freight tonne kilometres increasing by 2.7 per cent in June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says. The association says this continues the slowdown that began earlier in 2018, with growth for the first half of the year standing at 4.7 per cent, less than half the rate of 2017. IATA says the three main reasons for the slowdown were the restocking cycle ending in March 2018, a structural slowdown in global trading conditions as indicated by the fall in the Purchasing Managers Index, and the temporary grounding of Nippon Cargo Airlines’ fleet in the second half of June. IATA director general and chief executive officer, Alexandre

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de Juniac says the air cargo industry is expected to growth four per cent in 2018 “but the deterioration in world trade is a real concern”. He adds: “While air cargo is somewhat insulated from the current round of rising tariff barriers, an escalation of trade tension resulting in a ‘reshoring’ of production and consolidation of global supply chains would change the outlook significantly for the worse. Trade wars never produce winners. Governments must remember that prosperity comes from boosting their trade, not barricading economies.” Capacity measured in available freight tonne kilometres rose by 4.1 per cent in June, meaning it has outstripped demand growth in every month since March.

bringing an extra touch of Malaysian charm to ACF 2008 was the team of distribution girls who could be spotted in prominent locations around the exhibition handing out ACW Daily News to delegates and visitors. Published on every day of the event, the newspaper provided a popular round-up of news and views gathered in the exhibition halls on the previous day. ACW Daily News has become a feature of the ACF event, with issues having been produced on the spot by an ACW team in Washington (2000), Hong Kong (2002), Bilbao (2004) and Calgary (2006) ACW Daily News will appear at Air Cargo Europe 2009 in Munich on12-15 May, on every day of the event. ACW Daily News continues this tradition to this day and will appear at ACF Toronto on 16-18 October, 2018.

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NEWS Volga-Dnepr is on the road to Henan K+N acquires Panatlantic Ecuador

olga-Dnepr Group, Henan Airport Group and Zhongyuan Asset Management have signed an agreement to expand the ‘One Belt, One Road’ cooperation in the province. The ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative was announced by the president of China, Xi Jinping in 2013 to develop international cooperation between China and other countries through creating transport and investment infrastructure, and Russia is one of the most important partners. Zhongyuan Asset Management was established in 2015 with the approval of Henan province’s local government, and bases itself upon developing the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone. Signing the deal, Volga-Dnepr Group president, Aleksey Isaikin says the group has extensive experience of the Chinese market, and the advantage of a large fleet of aircraft

including Antonov AN-124-100s, Iluyshin IL-76TD-90VDs, Boeing 747s and Boeing 737s. He says: “The potential advantages of Zhengzhou were obvious to us right from the beginning, notably its advantageous geographical location and the existence of the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone, which boasts a positive development trend. This Experimental Zone is the first and only one in China, and its development is supported by the Chinese government.”

Freighters face squeeze at Schiphol Cargo volumes at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol fell by 2.6 per cent in the first half of 2017 as slot constraints squeezed out freighter aircraft. The Dutch airport handled 844,317 tonnes in the first six months of 2017, with full freighter volumes declining 9.4 per cent due to a decrease in air transport movements and the ongoing restrictions in slot availability. Cargo travelling in the belly of passenger aircraft increased by 2.3 per cent, as China and the US remained strong, and an extension of the network led to growth in Latin America. Schiphol director of aviation marketing, cargo and customer experience, Maaike van der Windt says the freighter figures were to be expected but the growth in belly cargo was a positive development. She says: “The increase in belly volume is a positive development for Schiphol Cargo due to a slight growth in passenger flights since last year, and an expanded network across Latin America. “Shanghai remains our main destination through the continued increase in e-Commerce in China, reaching more than 31,000 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, followed by the US with more than 22,000 tonnes.” Despite the growth in e-commerce, imports from Asia were still down two per cent to 147,122 tonnes and exports by three per cent

to 150,623 tonnes. European imports declined seven per cent to 55,821 tonnes and exports were also down four per cent to 59,452 tonnes. Imports from North America decreased 11 per cent to 64,768 tonnes and exports were dropped four per cent to 79,055 tonnes. Latin American imports grew by nine per cent to 65,255 and exports by 15 per cent to 40,445 tonnes due to network expansion. African markets were also positive with a seven per cent increase in exports to 26,674 tonnes though imports decreased five per cent to 56,733 tonnes. Middle Eastern imports dipped two per cent to 42,666 tonnes and exports by 11 per cent to 55,218 tonnes. Van der Windt says: “Although Schiphol is facing slot constraints, we are geared towards maintaining cargo volume in the years to come.”

Saudia renews organ transport deal

Saudia Cargo has renewed the Human Organ Transportation Agreement with the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) for the fourth consecutive year.

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The agreement was signed by Saudia Cargo chief executive officer, Omar Hariri and SCOT director general, Dr Faisal Shaheen at the airline’s main office in Jeddah. Hariri (pictured left) says: “Saudi Cargo will continue to provide domestic and overseas organ transportation services and support SCOT’s objectives and humanitarian programs because it recognises the nobility of these objectives and programmes. “We are proud to support SCOT activities and deliver all types of organ shipments in line with international healthcare requirements and standards. Organ transportation shipments come at the top of our priority.” Shaheen (pictured right) commended the airline’s sophisticated and advanced logistics services, and coordination with the centre over the years, saying: “The company’s dedication has strengthened our collaboration towards promoting humanitarian work.”

Kuehne + Nagel has strengthened its perishables network in South America with the acquisition of Panatlantic Logistics Ecuador. The Quito-based company was founded in 1979, operating out of a temperature-controlled warehouse at the airport, and the combined volume of Kuehne + Nagel’s existing portfolio and Panatlantic’s will account for 32,000 tonnes of perishable airfreight exports per annum from Ecuador. Together with perishable businesses managed in Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Chile, Kuehne + Nagel controls over 120,000 tonnes of perishable airfreight exports in the South and Central America region. Kuehne + Nagel International management board member responsible for airfreight, Yngve Ruud says: “With Panatlantic Logistics on board we further strengthen and expand our fresh chain network – the

largest in the logistics industry for perishables – connecting key production countries to major markets.” Panatlantic Logistics shareholder and chief executive officer, Raul Aragundi (pictured right with K+N Central and South America president, Ingo Goldhammer) says: “We are very proud to become part of the Kuehne + Nagel Group. By joining forces we will co-create an enormous potential of opportunities for our customers.”

Gebruder Weiss breaks ground on expanded facility in Wernau Gebruder Weiss has broken ground and started expanding its logistics terminal in Wernau, providing greater storage for customers in Germany’s Baden-Wurttemberg region. Construction work on the new hall officially started on 2 August, with the logistics complex being expanded from 6,000 square metres to 7,100 square metres. The pallet shelving warehouse, the block storage warehouse and the picking area are being expanded, resulting in 11,000 pallet bays and 3,000 square metres in the block storage warehouse. Three new loading gates will be added, and Gebruder Weiss is investing €1 million in the expansion of the terminal, which is due to be completed by the end of the year. Gebruder Weiss Esslingen branch manager, Jochen Gonser says Wernau is an “ideal addition” to forwarding activities in the region due to its proximity to the A8 motorway enabling direct connections to the company’s pan-European land transport network. He says: “By expanding the location, we are responding to the high demand for logistics services in southern Germany and, at the same time, pursuing our strategy of efficiently combining transport logistics with

inventory management. Plans are already being made to further expand our activities in the region.” In Wernau, which Gebruder Weiss has assigned to the Esslingen branch in Baden-Wurttemberg, the company stores automotive sensors, electrical appliances and metal goods, among other things for its customers. Around 30 people are employed in Wernau, and the plan is to increase the number of staff following the expansion, creating new jobs in the commercial sector. Gebruder Weiss is also expanding its Caucasus hub by spending €2.5 million increasing capacity in Tbilisi, Georgia. Since opening the branch in 2013, shipment volumes have increased 20 per cent a year, and the facility is almost at capacity.

Egyptair receives first EFW A330-200

Egyptair Cargo has taken delivery of an Airbus A330-200 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) converted aircraft from Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW). The aircraft completed test flights in June and was awarded Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) in July. The A330P2F programme was launched in 2012 and is a collaboration between ST Engineering Aerospace, Airbus and their joint

venture EFW. ST Engineering Aerospace is the programme and technical lead for the engineering development phase, responsible for applying for the STCs from the EASA and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airbus contributes to the programme with OEM data and certification support, while EFW leads the industrialisation phase as well as sales and marketing for the freighter conversion programme.

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world routes

Airfreight keeps rocking all over the world

t is a given within the airfreight industry that most capacity is available where passengers go. The sources and destinations of air passengers largely dictate the scheduled bellyhold networks offered by the world’s carriers. This in turn impacts on freight forwarders and what they are able to offer in terms of destinations. It is therefore quite important for the cargo manager to know some of the influences that move the passenger department to plan its routes and schedules. In June, the ACI released its latest annual Airport Industry Connectivity Report highlighting the airports providing the best air connectivity to their communities and transfer passengers. ACI Europe uses data harvested by SEO Amsterdam Economics to measure and analyse the level and quality of air connectivity

in three key metrics: direct, indirect and hub connectivity. Frankfurt Airport is now the number one airport in Europe in terms of direct connectivity, having jumped from third position last year, as a result of significant network expansion of both the Lufthansa Group. Amsterdam Schiphol now moves down to second position for direct connectivity in Europe, still up from the sixth position it held back in 2008. London Heathrow went from second to third position also not making any gains in direct connectivity this year (-0.2 per cent) due to lack of capacity. In the past year, the UK is the only country in the EU to record a loss in direct connectivity (-0.8 per cent). In many countries, regional airports are trying to get in on important traffic flows by offering more long-haul destinations, rather than acting

as a ‘connector’. One such is Bangor International Airport, in the North-East United States.

Regional ambitions

According to Bangor International Airport director Tony Caruso, Bangor’s strategy is “multi-faceted”. Its efforts are focused on maintaining service levels, extending seasonal service such as Chicago and Charlotte, upgrading equipment and/ or frequency of flights, in addition to adding service to key hubs. In terms of attracting routes, an airport has to be highly proactive, Caruso notes. He says: “Air service development is ongoing and continuous. It is dynamic and requires constant review and understanding of your market, as well as what is happening in other domestic markets. Part of this process involves determining the type of incentive(s) to offer airlines. Two approaches are revenue-related (minimum revenue guarantees) and cost-related (advertising and marketing assistance). “Successfully gaining additional routes can take several years. It is a highly competitive market. It’s about relationship building and maintaining that ‘front-of-mind’ awareness with the airlines. Unless you are a hub airport, your air service development efforts are typically doubled, as you try to offer incentives to help differentiate your airport from others. This process is lengthy, and in many cases there are forces beyond your span of control, such as aircraft and/or crew availability, industry and global economics, aligning with airline strategies, etcetera. Unless you are a hub airport, it is more likely that an airport approaches an airline.”

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Interestingly, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines, and supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues, route planning and operation is one area it stands back from. When asked by Air Cargo Week if it had any position or policies on the topic, the association replied: “As to airline route decisions etc., we actually stay away from that whole topic as it involves commercial determinations by carriers. Market rules, customer needs and capacity deployment all vary by carrier so it is not an area for IATA to engage in.”

Big plans for Manchester

Britain’s third busiest airport is banking on a billion-pound investment to attract new routes. The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme or MANTP is expected to cost around £1 billion and will see terminal-capacity doubled in size. The plan is simple; to become the gateway and hub for the north of England. That vision, dovetails with the government’s wider strategic northern powerhouse objectives that aims to boost economic productivity in a new post-Brexit global world. MANTP’s aim is bold. To become a top 10 European airport from its current 19th position and serve 210 destinations - that vision requires more than simply expanding terminal footprints. Whilst cities like Manchester who have deep pockets and a coherent economic strategy, delivering on that investment is achievable, for other smaller airports scaling up to meet demand is more difficult. Especially when cashflow is tight.

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world routes

Busy tradelanes

AG, the global leader in flight information, released a report, OAG Busiest Routes, which ranks the world’s busiest international routes for operating flight volume, hence largest provision of bellyhold capacity, The data highlights key characteristics for each route, including size, growth rates, market share, the type of aircraft and on-time performance (OTP) of carriers that service each route. The results are pulled from aviation data between March 1, 2017 and February 28, 2018. The busiest route in the world is from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Singapore (SIN), which serviced 30,537 flights over the twelve-month period. The trip from Hong Kong (HKG) to Taipei (TPE) followed closely behind, finishing second overall. In Europe, the routes from Dublin (DUB) and Amsterdam (AMS) to London Heathrow (LHR) were the busiest, ranking 14th and 19th, respectively. “These airline routes are among the most competitive in the world. Given the demand, frequency and consumer choice on these routes, airlines are investing heavily to maximise capacity, profitability and market share,” says OAG senior analyst John Grant. “Frequency, OTP, connectivity and the in-flight experience all play a critical role in the battle to lead these markets.” Aer Lingus is the most punctual airline on the route from Dublin (DUB) to London Heathrow (LHR), with 84.7 per cent OTP. The trip between John F. Kennedy airport and London Heathrow is the 16th busiest international route, and the second most popular route out of the United States, with 13,888 flights serviced over the 12-month period. American Airlines is the most punctual airline on this route, with 77.9 per cent OTP, whereas British Airways has the largest market share. Asia remains home to most of the busiest international routes, with 14 of the top 20 routes operating to and from destinations in this region. Five of the top 20 routes depart from Hong Kong, with service to Taipei (TPE), Shanghai (PVG), Seoul Incheon (ICN), Singapore (SIN) and Beijing (PEK).

More Chinese links for Gatwick Gatwick Airport is gaining another long-haul connection with the launch of flights to Shanghai in December operated by China Eastern Airlines. Shanghai has been the showpiece of China’s dramatic economic growth and is a global financial centre. It drives growth in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, a region accounting for 20 per cent of China’s GDP and responsible for a third of the country’s imports and exports. The services to Shanghai will begin on 7 December 2018, with Airbus A330-200 flights departing Gatwick on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 12.00h, and flying to Shanghai Pudong Airport, providing more than 3,700 tonnes of cargo capacity each year. Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate says: “I’m delighted to welcome China Eastern to Gatwick and look forward to the start of this vital new link to Shanghai which, like London, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important cities and business hubs.”

Fraport sells stake in Hanover

Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport is to sell its 30 per cent stake in Hanover Airport to iCON Flughafen for €109.2 million. Fraport acquired shares in Hanover Airport’s operating company, Flughafen Hannover-Langenhagen GmbH (FHLG) in two steps, initially 20 per cent in 1998, followed by another 10 per cent in 2003. The other 70 per cent of FHLG is held equally by the City of Hanover and the Hannoversche Beteiligungsgesellschaft, a wholly owned company belonging to the State of Lower Saxony. The closing of the transaction is dependent on the contractually agreed pre-emption rights held by the two co-shareholders, and Fraport expects the transaction to be concluded in the next two months. Fraport executive board chairman, Dr Stefan Schulte says: “For some time, we have received strong interest from the market for Fraport to sell its stake in Hanover Airport. This underscores Fraport’s competence in increasing the value of our airport investments, wherever we operate around the world.

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express services

Unions hit out at replacing pilots with technology

nions representing pilots at nearly 50 commercial airlines have voiced opposition to develop single-pilot all-cargo operations utilising remote-piloting or computer-piloting technology. Representatives from the US Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), the Independent Pilots Association (IPA), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the NetJets Association of Share Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) and the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) have made it clear they believe Sections 744 and 703(a)(xviii) authorising research and development in support of remote operations are “reckless”. Speaking at the 64th Air Safety Forum hosted by ALPA, they voiced their opposition for the US Federal Aviation Administration reauthorisation bill, explaining that pilots are trained to

operate the aircraft, interact with air traffic control, communicate with Dispatch, check weather conditions and forecasts, scan for other aircraft, monitor engines, fuel and other systems. They say this requires at lease two welltrained, fully qualified pilots to communicate in real time without delay or potential for a lost connection. ALPA president, Captain Tom Canoll says: “ALPA adamantly opposes FAA Reauthorisation Section 744 and will continue to use every resource we have to ensure that this anti-safety provision is not enacted. The inclusion of this unacceptable provision serves as an existential threat to aviation safety and security, the general public, and the airline piloting profession.” APA president, Dan Carey says as cargo and passenger carriers should not have different standards, saying: “Given the threat posed by computer hacking and the accident rates for autonomous vehicles and military and civilian drones, it’s astonishing that policymakers would even consider this notion. APA is adamantly opposed to the language in Sections 744 and 703(a)(xviii), and we urge Congress to remove it to help preserve public safety.” CAPA president, Lee Collins adds: “This technology is neither mature, nor proven to a level

of confidence capable of assuring a higher level of safety than that which can be attained by two highly qualified, highly trained professional airline pilots on the flight deck. Having the ability to do so in a lab under controlled circumstances does not mean we should do it in our national airspace system now or at any time in the future.”

FedEx speeds up customs in Japan FedEx Express has centralised all customs declarations in the Tokyo Customs head office for shipments travelling through Japan via Narita and Kansai airports, where the company operates. It says the change was made possible by a new Customs & Tariff Bureau policy allowing for the liberalisation of customs declaration offices. Previously declarations for import and export goods had to be made at the designated Customs Office where the goods where physically stored. After the policy went into effect in October 2017, Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) such as FedEx can make declarations to the Customs Office of their choosing. FedEx has been part of Japan’s AEO certification programme since February 2012, when FedEx Shinsuna bonded warehouse, Narita bonded warehouse, and a portion of its Kansai bonded warehouse were certified. In June 2013, five additional FedEx offices – Narita Station, Narita International Airport Station, Kansai Station, Kansai International Airport Station and Shinsuna Station were certified as authorised customs brokers under the programme. FedEx Express North Pacific regional vice president, Masamichi Ujiie says: “FedEx re-

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spects the efforts made by the Customs & Tariff Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, the Japan Customs Brokers Association, as well as other industry organisations and experts to respond to today’s globalised economy and the changing international logistics industry.” Ujiie says the customs clearance process is very important for global and advanced supply chains, adding: “For many years, we have been driving the systemisation and digitisation of these processes, and we are constantly looking at ways to streamline customs clearance operations for our customers, which includes leveraging this liberalisation.”

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express services

with...

k e r e d s jone

Derek Jones has spent 39 years in media and marketing, 33 of them in freight. His experience includes sales, sales training, sales management, publishing and senior management. He has multi-modal experience with market-leading clients across air, ocean, road and express markets. In his spare time he drives a 1926 Austin Tourer. ACW: In terms of Pilot Marketing’s business, what are the main opportunities you see over the next five years? Jones: Air cargo in particular, and logistics in general, is vital to world trade and will continue to grow – so our cake should get bigger. Grabbing our slice will continue to rely on winning business through referral. But that’s always been our best salesman, so we have no worries there. I think our record is a single client contact who moved through five companies and took us with him every time! The future is also technology, but we like that nerdy stuff and make a point of keeping up with it. I can bore anybody who’ll listen with my views on where we need to go with IT, AI and robotics.

Jones: I am a compulsive do-it-yourselfer. I’ve done everything except build a whole house. I also drive buses (but not for the money!!).

ACW: What do you see as the key requirements to get the most from your staff? Jones: Never ask somebody to do something you wouldn’t be prepared to do yourself. Look for the good qualities in people, and find

ways to utilise them to mutual benefit. Treat your staff as you would wish to be treated.

ACW: If you could eat only three foods for the rest of your life, what would they be? Jones: It has to be fillet steak, salmon and potatoes. Is it possible to have a selection of sauces, too?

ACW: If you could be anyone in history who would it be and why? Jones: My biggest hero, Churchill. What an orator: his speeches still make the hairs on my neck stand up. He faced the impossible, and fought through to victory against all odds. What a flawed, but also intensely humane person. He proves that you don’t need to be perfect to make a real difference and help others. So there’s hope for me yet!

ACW: If you were a car, what model would you be? Jones: A Land Rover Discovery. It’s what I drive anyway, and reflects what I try to be: solid, practical, understated, fairly quick and with huge capacity. ACW: What would your autobiography be called? Jones: Tomorrow, I’ll take a break . . .

ACW: We finish the interview and you step outside the office and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning £10 million. What would you do? Jones: Find the person who dropped it, and give it back. You make your own luck: I don’t need to steal somebody else’s.

ACW: You are on death row. What is your last meal? Jones: I wouldn’t be on death row. I’m one of the good guys!

ACW: Would you rather know a lot about a little or a little about a lot? Jones: Speaking from personal experience, I’d rather know a lot about a lot.

ACW: If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? Jones: “I’ve had the time of my life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, because I really have. And the person I’d be thinking of would be standing right next to me, just as she always is.

ACW: Whom would you invite to a dinner party? Jones: Brunel for his inventiveness. Simon Weston for his bravery. Audrey Hepburn for her beauty and humanity. And Mark Whitehead (former Hactl boss), because I never had the chance to say goodbye to my friend.

ACW: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? Jones: Daniel Craig. I like his tough, straighttalking Bond persona, coupled with his style, pizazz and humour. Just like me!

ACW: Tell us the most interesting thing about you which we wouldn’t find in your CV?

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CORE Transport ships out 15,000th bluetooth tag

ORE Transport Technologies has shipped out its 15,000th COREInsight Bluetooth Tracking tag for active deployment since its launch in October 2017. The tracking tag started as an idea in early 2016, and the patented container and pallet tags utilise Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons to actively track assets. CORE says compared to other tracking solutions used to manage assets and shipments, the COREInsight Tracking brings dramatic increases in battery life, field of view, ease of installation and cost effectiveness. The New Zealand-based company says patented plug-and-play readers can convert any location into an Internet of Things (IoT) hub within minutes and public deployment started after launch customers Delta Air Lines, Air New

Zealand and Alaska Airlines along with ACL Airshop realised the benefits of automated ULD tracking and an interconnected fleet. Over 15 airlines are in various stages of implementation with CORE’s technology resulting in full deployment of BLE on their fleets. CORE chief executive officer, Ian Craig says: “Whilst others might have wishful upstart efforts with Bluetooth Low Energy or similar technologies for the airline industry, it’s factual and fair to say we are already there, with a very large proven network that is only getting bigger and more effective as a logistics tool every week, every month. We are accelerating our progress for our air carrier customers, others are merely playing catch-up.” CORE’s tracking network extends to over 100 major airports and 650 sub-locations worldwide, with the addition of 30 new cities and 85 sub-locations last month. As Bluetooth in air transport evolves, CORE says its technology can be used not only to track ULDs but also manage other customer owned

resources, with airlines using the COREInsight portfolio to track aircraft tooling, galley carts, cargo and baggage carts, tractor/trailers and ground service equipment.

Thomas Kofler has joined the Olam Foundation, which is aiming to eliminate global supply chain inefficiencies through a standard, open-sourced blockchain platform. The 47-year-old is aiming to push the Zug, Switzerland-based foundation’s Internet of Logistics project to its goal of standardising data communications for the world’s supply-chain network. Since joining the board as VP strategic business, Kofler has been touring Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul to promote Olam’s blockchain vision and speak to audiences at events. Kofler says: “Having spent many years dealing with the raw challenges underlying modernisation of supply chains, I was elated when learning of Olam’s holistic, long term

solution. I am eagerly looking forward to introducing this vision to the global logistics world.” Olam CTO, Yaron Kauffman says: “Thomas brings vast tech and business knowledge with a strong emphasis on international relations to the foundation. He has been in complete sync with Olam’s vision from day one. We are thrilled to have him take such an active role in this global endeavour.” Kofler is based in Switzerland where he was educated and started his logistics career with a family owned NVOCC and forwarder. He has decades of industry experience in global supply chain management, logistics and enterprise software space. He has been the owner and managing partner of Symmetry Services in Feusisberg, Switzerland since 2002 and for the past decade has acted as director sales and business development DACH & GCC Region for a software solutions provider in global trade management. Added to this, he is a founding board member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Switzerland Roundtable. He recently left a position in a Silicon Valley SCM startup company where he managed pipeline building and defined the European go-to-market strategy for the business development, awareness, marketing and sales. Kofler holds an executive MBA degree from the University of Dallas/Texas.

Kofler joins foundation for blockchain

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11 07/08/2018 10:01

he pretends to know what he’s talking about

Townes’ touchdown for a tradition He says: “Fantastic question! Though mules have been the pack animal of choice for armies on the march for literally thousands of years, they are still in use today. Special Forces operatives use mules in places like Afghanistan as a reliable way to traverse the steep mountains with heavy gear, beyond the capabilities of road vehicles.

Special operations

ince 1890, cadets at West Point, New York, the US Army’s training academy, have taken on navy midshipmen from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in one of the oldest and fiercest college football rivalries in America. On many occasions in its nearly 130year history, sitting US presidents have attended the game. The Army-Navy Cup has seen significant growth over its six years at Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia, with attendance surpassing 10,000 fans. Last year’s Army-Navy Cup was the third-highest attended college soccer match in the United States. Televised annually to millions of viewers, one of the more quaint traditions is the matter of the live animal mascots each side parades. For the navy, it is always a goat. The US army parades a mule. This is where airfreight comes in. West Point graduate and former infantry airborne officer Steve Townes, now ACL Airshop chairman and CEO, has agreed to sponsor the army’s mule in perpetuity.

Spending the kids’ inheritence

In making this agreement, Townes is in fact ‘spending the kids’ inheritance’, a fact he does not disguise. “Speaking tongue-in-cheek, the kids will all do just fine when the old man finally checks out. They don’t resent the mule thing, in fact it’s sort of a fun family folklore thing now. And we get

good seats at football games, once in a while. “My wife and our five adult children have all committed to it, it’s formalised in my legal papers. When I pass, I’ll be cremated and my family has agreed to throw my ashes into the Hudson River on the banks at West Point—very fitting. “The total amount of the perpetual pledge, some given as incremental payments while I’m still alive (because I enjoy it), the residue handled through my estate, will “probably” exceed $XXX,XXX or more as a perpetual “mule fund.”

“In fact, Ranger “III” and Stryker, two of the three mules currently on duty at West Point, were “recruited” from the Equine Training Unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They were part of the Special Operations Group there. Their “classmates” are serving somewhere in Harm’s Way, as they enjoy the football stadium at West Point.” As a veteran himself, Townes is candid in his interest in employing fellow veterans. He says: “We will preferentially hire veterans if the situation allows. In our previous venture called Ranger Intl Services Group, we had 1,200+ employees, and over 60 per cent were veterans. Nowadays, ACL Airshop is uniquely commercial, so it depends on the needs and on the candidates.”

“That healthy six-figures amount must remain a military secret. That sum is more than enough to cover mules forever, given their cost and longevity in stadium duty. I’ve given consideration to someday making it a “cool million,” and maybe using the extra funds to curate mule memorabilia in the on-campus West Point Museum, but time will tell. “The Ranger Aerospace ventures have been very fortuitous for my family, for our investors, and indeed for our employees and stock-owning fellow company officers, and we continue growing wonderful enterprises to this day.” Townes started his sponsor just after the turn of the century, having donated five mule mascots so far in the past 16 years. ACW asked Townes if he knew when the US Army last used mules for transport, probably later than most people suspect.

What skills did West Point equip Townes with that work in the boardroom? He says: “I could wax eloquent on this, but suffice to say that the West Point experience imbues the graduate with strong core values, high-energy work ethic, leadership skills, and indefatigable get-things-done sense of mission. Most importantly, for me anyway, it also means “Be a great employer for our people.” That has been a major differentiator in our strong of large-scale successes these past 21 years since starting Ranger Aerospace.” Ranger “III” is the largest and heaviest mule in the history of West Point mules. Townes says: “He’s huge. We “recruited” him from the Special Forces Equine Training Unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The home base for “Special Operations.” “Think of him as a “Delta Force Mule,” named

Cool million

Boardroom skills

Paladian, one of the current mules, is escorted by Townes (left) and an army officer in honour of all Army Rangers in history. My only stipulation with this charity is that one of the three on-duty mules at the Academy will forever be named “Ranger” as a permanent honour.” Coincidentally, ACL Airshop is supporting the “world’s largest herd of flying horses” travelling to the United States in September for the quadrennial World Equestrian Games, known as the “Olympics for Horses”. The next Army-Navy Game is on December 8, 2018 in Philadelphia.

Go Navy!

WHEN Townes was a Plebe (first year cadet), his first duty with the mules was to follow behind them in the stadium with a shovel and this bucket.

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