ACW 29th May 23

Transporting challenging cargo with ease...

SAUDIA CARGO AND CAINIAO EXTEND PARTNERSHIP

ALTITUDE Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, is to release a new and improved

Saudia Cargo, has signed a new 12-month “space and service commitment” agreement with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group.

The agreement, which commenced on 1st April 2023, and continues till 31st March 2024, reserves exclusively selected SACC freighter flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh and Liege. The signing of the new agreement in Munich demonstrates Saudia Cargo’s continuing commitment to offering tailor-made solutions to one of the leading ECOM retailers in the world.

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership and explore new lanes from Hong Kong and China to other destinations and provide them with customised solutions that meet their evolving needs. This new agreement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable

and efficient airfreight services to one of the world’s leading e-commerce logistics corporations,” Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo, said.

“The success of last year’s cooperation agreement with Cainiao allowed Saudia Cargo to achieve significant growth in e-commerce shipments. We have increased our capacity and number of cargo flights to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America to ensure we continue to meet the rising demand for e-commerce,” Vikram Vohra, Saudia Cargo’s Regional Director Asia Pacific, added.

Saudia Cargo’s partnership with Cainiao is a win-win situation for both parties, as it provides Cainiao with increased access to Middle Eastern markets and allows Saudia Cargo to benefit from the growing global e-commerce market. The new agreement is a testament to the strong partner-

ship and successful cooperation between the two companies.

“Our partnership with Saudia Cargo is a vital part of our business strategy, and we are thrilled to be expanding it further. By reserving exclusive space for their shipments on select Saudia Cargo freighter flights, we can ensure that our cargo is transported with the utmost care and efficiency,” Wu Man, general manager of Cainiao International Air Logistics Department, said.

This new agreement is a testament to Saudia Cargo’s commitment to providing tailor-made solutions to one of the world’s leading e-commerce retailers. As it continues to grow its partnership with Cainiao, Saudia Cargo is also exploring new lanes from Hong Kong and China to the Middle East, Africa, and possibly Latin America in the long term.

LODIGE INDUSTRIES EQUIPPED ... LÖDIGE Industries has completed the installation of comprehensive technical equipment for a new ULD handling facility at Brisbane ...

LATAM CARGO, KUEHNE+NAGEL ... LATAM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Elite Flower have joined forces to purchase more than 25,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ...

ALTITUDE ANGEL LAUNCH ALL-NEW DRONE ASSIST APP

ALTITUDE Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, is to release a new and improved version of the UK’s most popular flight planning tool, Drone Assist, bringing a host of new features which will give users an even greater understanding of the sky above them and access to it.

Already established as the flight planning app for professional and recreational drone pilots alike, the updated Drone Assist is the foundation stone on which the UK can build a £40 billion drone economy, now features direct connection to Altitude Angel’s

UTM platform, offering ‘one-tap flight authorisations’ at connected airports and facilities worldwide.

Over the coming months, this new Drone Assist will replace all the company’s existing apps and serve as an important initial gateway to a whole host of U-Space services offered by Altitude Angel and operated by its customers.

“All commercial drone operations start with a plan, and planning should start with Drone Assist, which is why we’ve invested so much in creating an app which can truly enable safe drone flight anywhere,” Richard

Parker, Altitude Angel, CEO and founder, said.

The new version of Drone Assist, which began rolling out from 22nd May for both iOS and Android, is the most extensive update since the app was first launched in 2016 and includes the first in a series of planned enhancements and exciting new features.

The suite of new features includes enhanced integrated flight planning, advanced flight plan drawing tools, and approval services – the ability to request access to fly digitally in airspace such as an airport FRZ, or land with access restrictions –through the app.

Outlook bullish for peak season surge

THE air cargo industry should expect a strong Q4 peak season despite lower Q1 volumes as airlines respond to surging passenger demand, Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association (AfA), said.

According to World ACD, global air cargo chargeable weight flown in Q1 2023 was down 11 percent compared with a year earlier, but Fried attributes recent lower volumes to post-Covid normalisation rather than decline.

“We’re coming down from the lofty volumes seen during the pandemic, which we all know were not sustainable long term, but we’re not crashing, we’re normalising,” Fried explained.

“We need to be bullish in the second half; consumers are still out there spending and passengers are flying.”

Regionally, overall tonnage in Q1 dropped by 16 percent for Asia Pacific and 18 percent for North America.

Some economists predict a fully-fledged US recession later this year, but Fried remains optimistic for the return of higher cargo volumes in line with end-of-year peak season.

Current freight rates are artificially lower than supply and demand would dictate because airlines are operating more aircraft than necessary in anticipation of an uptick, he said, and to accommodate swathes of passengers waiting to fly.

“This will benefit freight forwarders in the long run because airlines want to tailor pricing to attract business,” Fried said.

“It also indicates a departure away from the traditional freighters we saw during the pandemic, and we can expect some of the older freighters to be phased out.”

“Now’s the time for freight forwarders to really show their creative strength because they have to anticipate what’s coming around the corner.”

The new Drone Assist has been developed in conjunction with the drone community, which included a beta testing programme with over 400 active contributors. Drone Assist now allows users to plan their flight, detailing exactly where they will be flying using the advanced drawing tools using polygons or waypoints - and submit the plan to the app – with the flight then displayed not only on the app for all to see, but across all of Altitude Angel’s UTM platforms, including those used by airports and GA pilots - making other airspace users aware of their presence.

Fried urged the same fighting spirit to contend with ongoing labour shortages and union negotiations, which have been casting a shadow over US supply chains and impacting global trade flows.

“It’s time for the freight forwarders to be the creative logistical problem solvers that we are – we’ve got to be ready for a challenging future,” Fried added.

Looking ahead to 2024, air and ocean freight demand are set to improve, he concluded.

“We have a new baseline, and we need to stop comparing to before the pandemic.”

“It’s a new world, we’re seeing a new geopolitical order: the war in Ukraine, rising labour costs, Chinese manufacturers moving out of China to elsewhere in Asia, South America, Mexico.”

“Manufacturers are diversifying, and we can expect to see regionalising of supply chains in the US and globally.”

“A different political structure will have a significant impact on supply chains.”

Lödige Industries equipped new handling facility at Brisbane Airport

LÖDIGE Industries has completed the installation of comprehensive technical equipment for a new ULD handling facility at Brisbane Airport. The material handling system for the new nearly 5,000 sq m facility was designed to meet increasing customer demand for perishables in the cold chain and support the growth of general cargo in Queensland. The new airfreight terminal in Brisbane will start operations in 2023. Lödige Industries’ handling solutions meet the latest requirements for sustainability and labour safety while maximising operational efficiency.

The new system includes truck docks, for the ease of loading and unloading cargos to different types of trucks, an intelligent and efficient transport system consisting of several roller decks, castor decks and ball decks including ram protection as well as elevating workstations. Furthermore, the equipment provided can handle temperature-sensitive perishable goods and comply with safety regulations for work with forklift operations and labour work in the immediate vicinity of the

facility. The truck docks as well as the elevating workstations are completely electrically powered which fits the sustainable approach of the new Brisbane air cargo terminal.

Lödige Industries’ strong presence in the APAC region and years of experience in providing market-leading air cargo handling solutions meant that not only the regional needs were well served, but on-time completion was also achieved. An on-site service contract covering the inspection and maintenance of the ULD handling system is also part of the overall package. Lödige Industries has a significant presence in Australia with past customers and projects including Australia Post, dnata at Melbourne Airport, “The Lennox” in Sydney’s Parramatta district, which is Australia’s first robotic parking system and others. In 2021 the German company has acquired MecFab Enterprises. The Australian company is specialised in plant manufacturing and maintenance at airports and owns branches in Sydney, Melbourne as well as Brisbane.

Network Airline Services Opens a New Office in Zanzibar

NETWORK Airline Services has opened a brand-new office in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The new office sits within the airport region, expanding the company’s footprint in Tanzania to two offices, while allowing the team to be closer to their local customers and agents in Zanzibar.

“I’m glad to present Network Airline

Services to a new location on the island of Zanzibar, where we represent Allied Air Cargo and FlyDubai,” Sarah Wangui, the Managing Director for East Africa, said at the opening.

This new office adds to the company’s growing global network, offering customers more options in the East African region.

LATAM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Elite Flower invest in sustainable aviation fuel

LATAM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Elite Flower have joined forces to purchase more than 25,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The amount purchased would reduce the equivalent of the total emissions generated by a cargo flight on the Bogota-Miami route, carrying a large shipment of flowers, mainly roses.

The SAF acquired is a type of fuel that comes from alternative raw materials such as waste, fats and oils, among others, to produce a low-CO2 fuel. The SAF is then blended with conventional fuel. In this case, the sustainable aviation fuel purchased was produced from used cooking oil, which after being treated is blended with traditional jet fuel. Considering that SAF has an attributed CO2 reduction factor of about 80% in its life cycle compared to the conventional fuel, the companies purchased the necessary quantity of SAF to achieve the total emissions reduction on the announced route.

“This initiative marks yet another milestone for the LATAM Group in our efforts against climate change. We want to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the region, and to this end, among other things, we have committed to be carbon neutral by 2050. This purchase is in line with this objective as it allows us to continue moving forward with our SAF agenda. It also reflects the importance of collaboration throughout the logistics chain in order to achieve major changes. We hope that examples like this help capitalise on South America’s potential for SAF generation,” Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo, said.

In the case of the global logistics company, Kuehne+Nagel, this represented a milestone in its goal to develop tangible solutions for all types of customers and industries, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions in supply chains and their environmental impact.

Ingo Goldhammer, President of Kuehne+Nagel for South and Central America, added: “There is no doubt that climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face. At Kuehne+Nagel we understand this and, as an industry, we need to accelerate the path to reducing global warming. Our alliance with Elite Flower and LATAM Cargo, reflects that collaboration between companies is the best way to carry out concrete actions, with each company contributing its experience and expertise to work under a common goal that benefits us all”.

“Sustainability is at the core of our values at Elite Group and in each part of our business units. Thus, we understand the urgency of addressing the environmental challenges of flower transportation by airfreight from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. Our relentless pursuit to reduce emissions continues as we work toward our net zero goal. By investing directly in SAF, we are taking a significant step toward reducing our emissions and contributing to a better future for the environment. This initiative is in line with our broader sustainability strategy, where we are exploring innovative solutions to achieve a more sustainable supply chain,” Galo Sanchez, Executive Vice President, Elite Group, a recognised company in the floral world, stated.

According to IATA, the use of SAF can currently make a big difference in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. However, the amount of SAF available worldwide is limited, mainly due to the

lack of conditions necessary for its research, development and production.

South America has great potential to produce SAF in terms of natural resources and expertise. Thus, it is capable of making a very significant contribution to climate action. For this reason, collaborative work between the different actors involved in the industry is necessary to promote the production of SAF in the region.

New all-cargo air route between the UK and Vietnam via Turkmenistan

position in the two countries. The key sectors for TT Meridian include air cargo, consumer products, food and beverages, energy and healthcare.

Under the United Kingdom-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), both governments have committed to promoting trade and economic cooperation by reducing or eliminating import tariffs on a wide range of products, removing trade barriers, and creating a more favourable business environment. Despite the global recession, there has been a notable growth in movement of physical products from Vietnam to the UK and vice versa. According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, total Vietnam exports to the UK in 2022 amounted to £5.9 billion, an impressive increase of 30.3% against 2021.

The new all cargo route between the UK and Vietnam via Turkmenistan will use an A330 aircraft that can carry 30 tonnes of capacity.

The fact that the all cargo service can accommodate a high capacity of up to 30 tonnes will also enable shippers to send large shipments that cannot be served by passenger flights. Together with Turkmenistan Airlines, TT Meridian expects to meet the demand of projects or firms that import products in large quantities or weights from either market.

TT Meridian, the leading international logistics and trading company specialising in the UK and Vietnam markets, has announced a new all-cargo air route between the UK and Vietnam via Turkmenistan.

The new route operated by Turkmenistan Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkmenistan, is expected to boost bilateral trade activities between the two countries where their free trade agreement came into effect in May 2021.

“TT Meridian as the cargo sales agent handling the UK to Vietnam leg is delighted to announce this new flight route. We believe it will provide exporters, importers and forwarding agents with more choices in addition to the existing direct and indirect services available in the market,” Thai Tran, Managing Director of TT Meridian, said.

“The new UK-Vietnam all cargo flight is also expected to pave the way for more goods to be air transported between the two countries.”

TT Meridian’s extensive expertise in international freight forwarding and trade combined with in-depth knowledge of the Vietnam and UK markets provides the company with a unique

As of May 2023, the flight departs from London Stansted Airport to Ashgabat International Airport on Wednesday evening, local time, with the transit time approximately four hours.

It then departs from ASB on Thursday morning and arrives at Noi Bai International Airport on Thursday afternoon local time.

The return flight departs from HAN on Thursday evening and arrives at STN on Wednesday morning the following week. Transit time is 5-6 days.

“Together with Turkmenistan Airlines, Swissport and ACSV (the ground handling agents in London and Hanoi respectively) and other partners, we have operated a few trial flights in the past few weeks. We believe the quick connection time in Turkmenistan, the transit point between the UK and Vietnam, and the competitive airfreight will be supportive for forwarding agents, shippers and consignees during this challenging economic time,” Tran added.

“We hope the new route will be a success, paving the way for higher frequency of all cargo flights between the two countries. More frequent flights will add more competitive advantage to Turkmenistan Airlines too.”

CNS RETURNS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE

MIAMI is welcoming the CNS (Cargo Network Services) Partnership Conference between 4th-6th June, bringing together the leaders and decision makers of the industry to explore the future development of the airfreight sector.

The 32nd running of the event is being held at the J.W. Marriot Turnberry Resort and spa, providing the perfect setting to allow the industry to start paving the way to a brighter reality this year and beyond.

With Miami serving as a key gateway between North America and South America, the city is a centre of international banking and finance, business services, manufacturing and commerce.

That’s why CNS is returning to the city for the second time in two years, following its successful 2021 event.

CNS, a subsidiary of the International Air Transport Association, is dedicated to the entire air logistics chain, providing a unique set of business solutions that meet the requirements of the airfreight industry in America.

Touting itself as a place where lasting business relationships, life-long friendships and strategic partnerships are made, the conference presents a packed three day programme, offering engaging sessions, beneficial networking opportunities and

relaxing social events for attendees.

Those at the conference will also be able to benefit from a host of exhibitors ready to meet with attendees in the Royal Ballroom, with groups such as AIRBLOX, Cold Chain Technologies, the FAA Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and SmartKargo present.

A COMPREHENSIVE CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

STARTING with the relaxing CNS Partnership Golf Classic on the Sunday, sponsored by SKYTEAM Cargo, the conference kicks off with an opportunity for guests to mingle with one another before the agenda kicks into full gear.

Beginning the conference programme with a welcome address from Laura Pullins, President of CNS, and opening remarks by Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association, attendees will hear from industry analysts and experts on a range of topics throughout the event.

Including discussions on digitalisation and sustainability, as well as talks about specific areas, such as security and dangerous goods, CNS will cover the key sectors and issues that are in the spotlight.

These talks reflect the three main areas where CNS itself is

working to modernise the supply chain:

- The Digital Cargo projects (e-freight and e-AWB) aim to move the air cargo industry to the digital era by taking the paper out of the supply chain.

- The Cargo Security initiatives support regulators and strengthen the supply chain security.

- The Cargo Sustainability initiatives tackle environmental, social and economic issues.

Looking ahead, the event will also provide guests with an airfreight economic outlook and a panel on the future of air cargo, as those in the industry provide insights and attempt to predict the evolution of an increasingly key sector in world trade.

FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

THE conference forms a key part of CNS’ work but it’s more than just an annual event. The programme seeks to allow for individuals to create connections and keep up to date with the latest changes around the world that could impact the industry.

Helping to shape the sector for the future, CNS shines a light on the latest trends and developments affecting the airfreight supply chain in a conference-type setup, as well as hosting panels and break out sessions.

This is reflected in how innovation is central throughout the programme, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) hosting an

Innovation Stage throughout Tuesday, introduced by John Ackerman, DFW’s Executive Vice President for Global Strategy and Development.

There will also be conversations about de-risking the future, how digitisation drives efficiency, quality and sustainability and discussions about building a greener future in a panel featuring IATA, Swiss International Airlines, DFW and LATAM Cargo.

These topics all come together to reflect CNS’ overall vision of delivering a safe, secure and sustainable US air cargo industry that drives economic growth, connects and enriches the world.

TRANSPORTING CHALLENGING CARGO WITH

DANGEROUS goods are items that could put the safety of an aircraft or the individuals on board at risk if not handled correctly. This type of cargo covers restricted articles, hazardous materials and dangerous cargo that are capable of posing a hazard to health, safety or the environment.

With safety an upmost priority in the industry, dangerous goods are moved by shippers who are knowledgeable in transporting hazmat and have the appropriate certification to ensure they meet internationally agreed standards.

An expert in moving tricky cargo, Challenge Group recognises that air cargo is more than just moving a set of boxes – it’s about providing tailored service that recognises how every commodity has its rules and requirements which must be adhered to.

65% of Challenge Group’s business is non-standard cargo, with complex verticals like heavy and oversized items, cars, aircraft parts, live animals and dangerous goods a consistent part of their business. This experience has seen the carrier become well-versed in thinking outside the box to get items safely shipped from door-to-door.

“Based on years of legacy and expertise, continuous learning and training, professional and qualified staff, right processes and investments, we can consider ourselves as a leader in this specific sector of the logistics industry,” Or Zak, Challenge Group’s Chief Commercial Officer said.

Standards ensure safety

With supply chains seeing goods passed through multiple countries and, sometimes, handled by different partners, it’s critical to ensure that there is a unified approach.

Challenge Group is certified in handling a wide variety of cargo, including dangerous goods, acknowledging that training is key to being able to provide a top tier service for customers around the globe.

The carrier offers a dedicated team for pre-approval and acceptance, suitable infrastructure, acceptance and storage areas and ancillary services, such as sorting, packaging and documentation. This aims to ensure the customers can have faith that, from the moment they hand over their cargo to the point where it’s delivered, Challenge Group is working diligently to deliver it in a safe and timely manner.

“Safety is one of our corporate values, therefore consistent standards play a key role in achieving and keeping it throughout the supply chain. We review on daily basis any update coming from the regulator which might require an immediate revision and update of our processes,” Or Zak stated.

“As a freighter operator the limit is only the regulation, therefore we accept all type of DGR in compliance with the ICAO/IATA regulation. Highlight: our capability in transporting all class of radioactive, explosives and lithium batteries UN3090/UN3480.”

Citing one particularly challenging commodity, radioactive cargo, Or Zak explained how the carrier facilitates safe and secure transportation throughout the supply chain: “We have dedicated ULD for it and a special procedure when it comes to acceptance, loading and offloading, delivery to final destination and we are the only certified handling agent in LGG to handle radioactive goods and in Belgium

TRANSPORTING CHALLENGING WITH EASE

licensed for fissile material.”

Expertise and excellence

Challenge Group prides itself on one thing above others –expertise. With its motto ‘Challenge Accepted’, the carrier offers assurance that they can handle whatever cargo is entrusted to them, adopting innovative and efficient solutions to provide competitive services.

Through professional staff, defined and clear operational processes, dedicated areas to accept, check, store and build commodities, paired with innovative digital processes that embrace efficient technological solutions.

In the most strictly regulated field in aviation, indepth knowledge and care are required, with Challenge experienced to handle all types of dangerous goods. The carrier doesn’t just comply with international regulations and standards itself, it works with its forwarding professionals to ensure they operate in an equally effective manner.

“Managing all classes requires specific expertise, infrastructures, equipment and tools,” Or Zak said. “Expertise is becoming the new oil.”

“Moreover, technology plays a key role to tackle with the hidden dangerous goods issue in our industry: on one side some shippers are not aware about what should be declared as dangerous goods, such as some new commodity linked to the go electric growing trend and, on other hand, the residual risk in moving some used items C2C. Our mission is to ensure that safety is granted at all times throughout the entire journey.”

Evolving sector

Each year, more than 1.25 million dangerous goods shipments are moved by air, making this a key sector in the industry. With the International Air Transport Association predicting that the air cargo market will grow by 4.9% every year, this number is only set to grow in the next few years.

“Our business environment is the logistics supply chain where each single actor plays his role and has his specific responsibilities, however we’re dealing with the best supplier in this specific sector to provide our customers with the best in class service whenever they might need our expertise to help them to be fully compliant,” Or Zak said.

To prepare the industry for its continued growth, the airfreight sector, including the dangerous goods vertical, has to adopt modern and harmonised standards that facilitate safe, secure and efficient operations.

This will be even more important given the rise in the sale of goods using lithium batteries, as well as the expansion of the pharma sector, including vaccines, resulting in more dry ice being moved globally.

“The differentiation or relocation in the manufacturing sector implies more movement of some row materials likewise the changes in the e-commerce business for items containing lithium batteries, electrical cars movement is growing, more aircraft flying more engines needed around the globe, healthcare related distribution on a larger scale such as the radioactive material for medical treatment,” Or Zak continued.