EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear readers,

The cargo volume decline across the globe slowed down a bit in the month of June but the oversupply in capacity with the resumption of belly space has continued to put air freight rates on a downward trend. This is a ‘gloomy’ indicator for airlines and forwarders who are faced with route and pricing decisions, renegotiations and added pressure from shippers. With a few months left until the annual peak season, it’s hard to tell where the volumes will come from for air freight, and for some, e-commerce driven by shopping festivals and online purchases towards the end of the year could play a big role.

As e-commerce demands logistics service agreements that meet satisfaction ratings and budgets, operators are left with the task to digitalise and automate or join a network that will allow the same capabilities. Sharing his insights, Dr. Tian He, head of technology and data intelligence at JD Logistics, guides us into the world of JD.com where intelligent logistics rule.

In the C-Suite section, we talk to Li Yu, CEO for international business at SingPost, to discuss how his division was able to capitalize on growing demand for e-commerce logistics outside the city-state. Head to page 18 to find out more.

Despite how simple it may look, what happens behind the scenes after you click on your shopping app involves a complex logistics network just to provide endto-end shipping. On page 22, we catch up with Cainiao Group, to look back at the company’s last 10 years of evolving and building its smart logistics network across the globe, as well as its growing role in cross-border trade, transport and e-commerce fulfillment.

This issue also covers the latest industry news on carriers, airports, cargo handlers and forwarders, including a brief coverage of ICAO’s familiarisation visit in Singapore in June. There’s also an exclusive interview with Etihad Cargo on e-commerce and a brief Q&A with e-commerce logistics network group NeX. Buckle up for the next pages and enjoy it with your favourite drink, and look out for the next issue in freight forwarding come September.

Giullian Navarra Chief Editor

INSIGHTS

Cainiao Network’s 10 years: Mastering logistics, evolving with e-commerce

EVENTS

Singapore hosts ICAO Air Navigation Commission on familiarisation visit

Philippine Airlines confirms A350 order at Paris Air Show

IAG Cargo opens state-of-the-art facility at Heathrow

WFS opens new cargo terminal at Bengaluru airport

Hong Kong’s Hactl rolls out robots to enhance security

John

INSIGHTS

Shaping the future: Advanced technologies drive e-commerce deliveries

Insights

Cainiao Network’s 10 years: Mastering logistics, evolving with e-commerce

Shaping the future: Advanced technologies drive e-commerce deliveries

9 questions with Justus Klüver, CEO of NeX eCommerce

Etihad

Teleport inducts brand new A321 freighter

Australia Post opens new parcel facility in Western Sydney Embraer to set up P2F conversions in China

AfA reminds US shippers of rigid cargo screening

SingPost’s Li Yu on performance, Australia and e-commerce

Singapore hosts ICAO delegates on familiarisation visit

Texel Air unveils new B737 freighter in Auckland

APC) in New Zealand since April under contract to NZ Post/Parceline Express, with domestic operations supported by flight crew and engineers from Bahrain.

Bahrain-based cargo airline Texel Air launched its Australasia spinoff, on 10 June, at Auckland International Airport with the unveiling of the latest B737- 800BCF. The arrival of ZK-TXE (registered MSN 29985), presented at the NZ Post Facility in June, marks the expansion of the airline into the region, with now six aircraft in its fleet.

Apart from the new jet, Texel Air Bahrain operates Boeing 737 aircraft from Bahrain International Airport with two B737-700FC, two B737-800BCF and one B737-300F aircraft. It has been operating the B737-300F (A9C–

Boeing unleashes dashboard to monitor SAF supply

Boeing is providing more access to necessary data that will advance industry talks about decarbonization with the launch of a dashboard that can track the ‘expected’ sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity over the next decade.

The tool counts the total SAF capacity based on announcements by suppliers from data collected by BloombergNEF. It can then filter anticipated supply by production pathway, location and other metrics.

Texel Air, established in Bahrain in 2013 by Chisholm Enterprises WLL, said it plans to expand its fleet to 10 aircraft by 2026. The group is anticipating the arrival of two additional B737-800BCFs to its fleet later this year (December 2023). The airline plans to primarily fly in Australia and New Zealand and between the two countries, offering ACMI services for the express, post and general cargo markets.

The tool, released by Boeing at the 2023 Paris Air Show, is expected to support discussion and action among industry stakeholders regarding the existing capacity and future production levels required to meet the commercial aviation industry’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The release of SAF Dashboard comes after Boeing in May launched the public version of the Boeing ‘Cascade’ Climate Impact Model, a data modeling tool that identifies the effects of a range of sustainability solutions to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions. Cascade and SAF Dashboard provide access to necessary data to advance the conversation on aviation decarbonization.

Cathay Cargo launches new marketing campaign

Limited’s hangar facility at Hong Kong International Airport on 21 June. A Boeing 747-8F was presented with the new Cathay Cargo livery, serving as backdrop for the occasion.

“magic” – that are central to Cathay Cargo.

Newly rebranded Cathay Cargo launched its first marketing campaign, “We Know How”, with a special ceremony held at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company

Cathay Cargo is developing links in its extended home market of the Greater Bay Area, ahead of the anticipated three-runway system at Hong Kong airport, which is scheduled to start operations in 2024. The airline said the “We Know How” campaign focuses on the innovation, people, solutions and service – as well as the

Edward Bell, general Manager for brand, insights and marketing communications, commented: “Any shipment on a Cathay Cargo plane matters. It’s going somewhere because it’s needed quickly, or because it needs the protection and assurance of our specialist handling. There is a story behind each shipment that speaks to the magic of the goods we fly, and their importance to the people who receive them.”