GEODIS invests in sustainable logistics campus in the Netherlands

 GEODIS invests in sustainable logistics campus in the Netherlands

Global supply chain operator GEODIS is acquiring 21.5 hectares of land at Trade Port Noord from Greenport Venlo. Here, GEODIS plans to build one of the most sustainable logistics facilities in the Netherlands: a 130,000m2 contract logistics site servicing customers from various vertical sectors and designed to accommodate the current growth in e-commerce.

The Venlo region is one of Europe’s prime spots for logistics activities, located near the Dutch border with Germany, acting as a link between the nearby air and seaports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp with the major industrial markets of the continent.

“Trade Port Noord has excellent connections to the European multimodal infrastructure via road, river, rail, ocean and air. This makes it the ideal location for GEODIS to operate cargo flows for international clients, and to manage their warehousing and logistics needs utilizing our European distribution network – and to expand our Benelux-Germany-Poland corridor at the same time”, says Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS.

The construction of the new facility will start in 2022. With the investment, GEODIS will protect the environment and ensure the well-being of its employees. This new build will be designed to standards aimed at a BREEAM “outstanding” certification, and a WELL Silver certification. BREEAM is a world-known sustainability assessment method for buildings; WELL is an international standard for creating spaces that enhance human health and well-being.

“Health and safety of our employees have always been our first priority – already before the Covid-19 pandemic, and still today”, says Marie-Christine Lombard. “In the same spirit, the GEODIS logistics campus in Venlo will be one of the very few logistics buildings in the world with a WELL certification.”

To ensure all standards for the desired certifications will be in place, GEODIS has involved real estate services and investment company CBRE, advising on the land acquisition and project management.

“The new GEODIS campus is not only impressive in size, but it is also ambitious. To achieve the highest possible BREEAM-rating, we will pay attention to every detail in both design and material use, as well as design various energy saving systems”, says Tim Habraken, Sustainability Director at CBRE.

GEODIS offers sustainable fuels for air and sea transport

 GEODIS offers sustainable fuels for air and sea transport

GEODIS is offering its customers to benefit from alternative fuel solutions in the air and at sea, all around the world. The objective is to contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions of their shipments.

“The development of biofuel is one of the strategic paths being pursued by GEODIS to meet the challenge of carbon neutrality. With these new solutions for air and sea freight, we offer our customers an additional way to decarbonize their entire supply chain,” says Marie-Christine Lombard, GEODIS Chief Executive Officer.

The aviation (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and maritime (Sustainable Marine Fuel) fuels, derived from non-fossil sources, are produced using food and agricultural waste (mainly cooking oil). Their use allows for a massive reduction in CO2 emissions over the cycle from production to fuel consumption; at least 80 percent for air and 90 percent for sea transport, along with a reduction in other pollutants.

“Biofuels are currently the most effective way to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of transport activities,” says Philippe de Carne, GEODIS Executive Vice President Business Development, CSR and Innovation.

These alternative fuel sources are classified as ‘insetting’ or ‘integrated carbon reduction’ because they occur within the means of transport's own value chain, unlike conventional carbon offsetting, such as solar panels, wind turbines and tree plantations, which are not involved directly in the operational sphere.

“These ‘insetting’ solutions offer our customers the ability to directly impact the global carbon output linked to their shipments by reducing it significantly,” adds Philippe de Carne. Using a ‘Book and Claim’ approach, each customer can opt for a as high a level of contribution as they wish, covering up to 100 percent of the CO2 emitted by the transport of their shipment.”

GEODIS in Hong Kong is accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator

 GEODIS in Hong Kong is accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator

GEODIS Hong Kong division has been accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. With the accreditation, GEODIS in Hong Kong will now be given access to priority customs facilitation and inspection, allowing the logistics provider to optimize its local operations, delivering agile, secure, and reliable solutions for customers. AEO status recognizes security and safety procedures amongst those within the supply chain industry.

The need for such efficient systems has become more vital than ever, given ongoing supply chain disruption to shipping schedules and factory production across Asia. These delays have also been accompanied by a continuing surge in consumer demand for Asian goods, challenging logistics partners to cope with an increasingly volatile supply chain ecosystem. As a key link between Mainland China and the rest of the world, these service providers in Hong Kong, in particular must work to keep processes up-and-running in the most seamless way possible.

“By achieving AEO accreditation we are helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s logistics credentials as a major international trading center and regional hub,” said Onno Boots, president and chief executive officer, Asia Pacific, GEODIS. “AEO status reflects the team’s commitment to providing our clients with best-in-class services and expertise to not only navigate, but thrive, amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

“This initiative affirms our continuous efforts to reinforce the infrastructures, processes and information systems required to ensure the most advanced and reliable security measures within the current dynamic environment,” said Christopher Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region. “GEODIS will continue to innovate, leveraging on new technology and automation to keep our operations in Hong Kong scalable and efficient.”

Since its incorporation in 1989, GEODIS in Hong Kong has expanded its presence, investing in an Air Export warehouse at the world-class Airport Freight Forwarding Centre (AAFC) within the Hong Kong International Airport (60,000 sqf) in addition to a Contract Logistics Warehouses located at Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, and Yuen Long (630,000 sqf).

GEODIS Hong Kong division has been accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. With the accreditation, GEODIS in Hong Kong will now be given access to priority customs facilitation and inspection, allowing the logistics provider to optimize its local operations, delivering agile, secure, and reliable solutions for customers. AEO status recognizes security and safety procedures amongst those within the supply chain industry.

The need for such efficient systems has become more vital than ever, given ongoing supply chain disruption to shipping schedules and factory production across Asia. These delays have also been accompanied by a continuing surge in consumer demand for Asian goods, challenging logistics partners to cope with an increasingly volatile supply chain ecosystem. As a key link between Mainland China and the rest of the world, these service providers in Hong Kong, in particular must work to keep processes up-and-running in the most seamless way possible.

“By achieving AEO accreditation we are helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s logistics credentials as a major international trading center and regional hub,” said Onno Boots, president and chief executive officer, Asia Pacific, GEODIS. “AEO status reflects the team’s commitment to providing our clients with best-in-class services and expertise to not only navigate, but thrive, amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

“This initiative affirms our continuous efforts to reinforce the infrastructures, processes and information systems required to ensure the most advanced and reliable security measures within the current dynamic environment,” said Christopher Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region. “GEODIS will continue to innovate, leveraging on new technology and automation to keep our operations in Hong Kong scalable and efficient.”

Since its incorporation in 1989, GEODIS in Hong Kong has expanded its presence, investing in an Air Export warehouse at the world-class Airport Freight Forwarding Centre (AAFC) within the Hong Kong International Airport (60,000 sqf) in addition to a Contract Logistics Warehouses located at Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, and Yuen Long (630,000 sqf).

GEODIS takes off its first A330-300 full freighter aircraft

 GEODIS takes off its first A330-300 full freighter aircraft

France based GEODIS, a worldwide logistics company, upgrades its AirDirect services between Europe, the United States and Asia with its own leased A330-300 full freighter aircraft. Operating between Amsterdam, London, Chicago and Hong Kong, and proudly flying under the GEODIS brand, the aircraft will also serve the China – Europe route for the peak season. The first flight will take off in September.

Marie-Christine Lombard, GEODIS’ CEO, commented, “With the continued strain on airfreight capacity, we wish to ensure a more sustainable supply of air cargo space for our clients and are therefore investing in this, our own, first dedicated freighter. Our aim is to constantly find dependable solutions to secure our clients’ supply chains, which are critical to their business growth.”

The Freighter, which GEODIS is leasing for several years, will be integrated into the GEODIS AirDirect global schedule. Initially, it will fly three times per week between Amsterdam/London and Chicago (AMS/ STN–ORD) and will additionally be deployed on weekly rotations connecting Amsterdam and Hong Kong (AMS–HKG). 

GEODIS is offering the entire range of its air freight products–GEODIS AirFast, AirSave and AirFlex–on the AirDirect flights. The Freighter will also provide the opportunity and flexibility to operate dedicated full capacity flights for its customers when required.

“Our AirDirect service has operated more than 650 air charter flights so far across Asia, Europe, North and Latin America in order to secure capacity for our customer shipments worldwide. The experience gained from these operations has led to the decision to charter our own GEODIS Freighter. This will provide our clients with a reliable schedule of flights, under our operational control, helping them overcome the significant logistical constraints that the market is currently enduring,” says Eric Martin-Neuville, executive vice president Freight Forwarding of GEODIS.