LATAM transported 100 million COVID-19 vaccines to South America

 LATAM transported 100 million COVID-19 vaccines to South America

LATAM Airlines Group exceeded 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines transported free of charge within Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. The initiative is part of LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane,’ a program that makes LATAM’s connectivity available for the benefit of South America at zero cost. It includes both passenger and cargo capacity. 

“Each of LATAM's collaborators are proud to be able to contribute to overcoming the pandemic. Today, we have transported the 100 million dose of COVID vaccine for free. We will remain committed to making our connectivity available for the benefit of the lives and health of the people of South America,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

With more than 10 years of history, LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane’ program is part of the Shared Value pillar of the group's sustainability strategy. It seeks to generate value in society through connectivity. To date, it has moved more than 2,400 health professionals and patients with urgent medical needs, and more than 770 tons of cargo, including medical supplies and vaccines, in South America.

Recently, an alliance was announced with solidarity organizations and civil societies in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, making the expertise, infrastructure, connectivity and speed of air transport available -through tickets and cargo transfer at no cost - to the institutions in agreement. This collaboration will be replicated in Colombia in the coming weeks.

LATAM Airlines Group exceeded 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines transported free of charge within Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. The initiative is part of LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane,’ a program that makes LATAM’s connectivity available for the benefit of South America at zero cost. It includes both passenger and cargo capacity. 

“Each of LATAM's collaborators are proud to be able to contribute to overcoming the pandemic. Today, we have transported the 100 million dose of COVID vaccine for free. We will remain committed to making our connectivity available for the benefit of the lives and health of the people of South America,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

With more than 10 years of history, LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane’ program is part of the Shared Value pillar of the group's sustainability strategy. It seeks to generate value in society through connectivity. To date, it has moved more than 2,400 health professionals and patients with urgent medical needs, and more than 770 tons of cargo, including medical supplies and vaccines, in South America.

Recently, an alliance was announced with solidarity organizations and civil societies in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, making the expertise, infrastructure, connectivity and speed of air transport available -through tickets and cargo transfer at no cost - to the institutions in agreement. This collaboration will be replicated in Colombia in the coming weeks.

LATAM Airlines Group exceeded 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines transported free of charge within Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. The initiative is part of LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane,’ a program that makes LATAM’s connectivity available for the benefit of South America at zero cost. It includes both passenger and cargo capacity. 

“Each of LATAM's collaborators are proud to be able to contribute to overcoming the pandemic. Today, we have transported the 100 million dose of COVID vaccine for free. We will remain committed to making our connectivity available for the benefit of the lives and health of the people of South America,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

With more than 10 years of history, LATAM's ‘Solidarity Plane’ program is part of the Shared Value pillar of the group's sustainability strategy. It seeks to generate value in society through connectivity. To date, it has moved more than 2,400 health professionals and patients with urgent medical needs, and more than 770 tons of cargo, including medical supplies and vaccines, in South America.

Recently, an alliance was announced with solidarity organizations and civil societies in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, making the expertise, infrastructure, connectivity and speed of air transport available -through tickets and cargo transfer at no cost - to the institutions in agreement. This collaboration will be replicated in Colombia in the coming weeks.

CEVA Logistics opens temperature-controlled airfreight station in Singapore

 CEVA Logistics opens temperature-controlled airfreight station in Singapore

CEVA Logistics announces the opening of its temperature-controlled airfreight station adjacent to Singapore’s Changi International Airport, positioning Singapore as a strategic healthcare logistics hub for the Asia Pacific region.

CEVA’s latest cold station lies within the Free Trade Zone of the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore, facilitating seamless regional distribution in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and providing in-transit storage, value-add services and quick turnaround times for connecting to global markets.

Airfreight stations part of expanding healthcare logistics offering 

CEVA’s growing network of cold stations is in direct service of its Temperature Sensitive Solution, a pharmaceutical logistics offering ensuring that temperature-sensitive shipments across ambient and chilled conditions are maintained in their optimal environments throughout shipment.

The CEVA Logistics temperature-controlled solution required capital investment in specialized airfreight facilities around the world, and with the support of its parent company, the CMA CGM Group CEVA remains committed to operating a network of more than 40 such airfreight stations by the end of 2021. Additional stations in Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, Madrid, Budapest and Mumbai are scheduled to open in the coming months. In all, the stations will allow CEVA to not only service major healthcare gateways in regional markets, like Asia Pacific, but also to supply more than 1,450 healthcare trade lanes globally.

Elaine Low, managing director for Southeast Asia and Pacific, CEVA Logistics said, “As CEVA’s first airfreight cold chain facility in Singapore, this is a timely investment for healthcare logistics. This air hub is now capable of supporting the regional distribution of vaccines and other pharmaceutical supplies that are critically needed in Southeast Asia at the moment. In addition, our healthcare customers will benefit from the range of value-added services, such as dry ice, relabelling and cross-stocking within the free trade zone.”

To meet the demands of healthcare and pharmaceutical customers, the new station is composed of two distinct areas dedicated to temperature management of shipments within the ranges of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. 

Additional solutions such as Controlant, an automated control tower workflow tool, and Validaide, a risk assessment tool on lane validations, will also be available for customers to ensure reliability and compliance. The Singapore location’s proximity to local seaports, combined with reefer container options, also allows customers to access more environmentally friendly ocean freight transportation.

AirBridgeCargo Airlines complete five Boeing 747F charter flights

 AirBridgeCargo Airlines complete five Boeing 747F charter flights

AirBridgeCargo Airlines, part of Volga-Dnepr Group and one of the leaders in air transportations for the healthcare sector recently have been in news for being a helping hand in the pandemic situation. As per the last update, the airline transported diabetes treatments to Chinese airports and now they have accomplished five Boeing 747F charter flights with packaging machines for COVID-19 associated materials from Frankfurt (Germany) to Atlanta (USA).

Over 200 tons of machinery was delivered under the National Healthcare Association project in cooperation with Geis Air + Sea GmbH to support local production facilities with efficient and viable packaging solutions.    

Yulia Celetaria, Global Healthcare Director of Volga-Dnepr Group, highlights: ‘This summer season differs from the previous ones as there has not been a single hint of the slow season, at least in the healthcare sector. Within two months we were able to support our customer, Radiant in Atlanta, with dedicated charter solutions to ramp up production of antiviral materials in the USA. The success of our joint battle against COVID-19 spread lies not only in the scale of vaccine production facilities but also in the well-timed logistics of the so-called peripheral cargo – packaging, vials, injection syringe, PPE for medical personal and other associated items. This is all part of the life-saving logistics we are committed to within Volga-Dnepr Group’.

For the first six months of 2021 AirBridgeCargo has seen the demand for both temperature and non-temperature pharmaceutical products, with an almost equal volume of cargo for both categories. The carrier has been also active in the vaccine air freight sector and accounts for over 60 percent of the total volume of vaccines carries across the globe.

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.”

BBAM to lease two Airbus A321P2F to Lufthansa Cargo

 BBAM to lease two Airbus A321P2F to Lufthansa Cargo

BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) and Lufthansa Cargo sign an agreement to lease two Airbus A321 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft on long-term leases. The Airbus A321P2F aircraft will be leased to Lufthansa Cargo on long-term leases from BBAM.

In July this year, Lufthansa Cargo had announced that the company will offer its customers additional capacity in Europe from the beginning of 2022 by permanently converting Airbus 321 passenger aircraft into freighters. This new agreement is the first step towards its commitment. 

The A321P2F will offer customers in the eCommerce segment fast intra-European connections. With this the company is meeting their customers' growing demand for same-day solutions and further strengthening its dense network of global connections as well as its product offering. 

“Partnering with BBAM on these converted freighters gives the former passenger aircraft a second life and enables us to offer our customers the much-needed additional capacity in Europe,” said Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “The A321P2F offers unique benefits, including increased cargo capacity, best-in-class economics, reduced weight, and a lower carbon footprint, providing us with a great deal of flexibility in managing freight.”

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).

CHAMP develops cargo app for Swissport

 CHAMP develops cargo app for Swissport

Swissport introduces a new mobile cargo application Cargospot cargo app, developed by CHAMP Cargosystems to streamline and digitise its air cargo business. It will allow Swissport to record every step of the warehousing process. With these process steps in future supported with real-time visibility, customers can keep track of their shipment status according to Cargo iQ standards.

The implementation is set to reach 76 facilities in Swissport’s cargo network by the end of 2022. The mobile cargo application has already been rolled out at Swissport’s cargo operations in Helsinki, Basel, Hamburg, Manchester and Frankfurt. Next, the app will be introduced at locations across Africa, the US, the UK, and in Ireland, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. 

“Our new cargo app enables us to take the digitization of our air cargo business to the next level.” says Hendrik Leyssens, VP Global Operations Cargo. "The improved visibility of every individual shipment will benefit airlines, forwarders and our own workers alike. Beyond that, this new way of working delivers a wealth of data, clearing the way for further optimization and streamlining the cargo flow at Swissport warehouses."

The cargo app will enable Swissport workers to monitor and steer the warehousing process with real-time visibility, in a user-friendly and highly efficient way and offers advanced data-insights into air cargo flows. Cargo will be traceable through timestamps with exact locations, further improving the security of the supply chain.

The app also features built-in safety mechanisms, which create an additional barrier to make sure incompatible shipments, such as specific dangerous goods, remain separated at all times. As staff monitors and registers the flow of air cargo, several manual processes can be eliminated, and the administration is simplified. 

cargo-partner renews contract with CHAMP’s Traxon cargoHUB

 cargo-partner renews contract with CHAMP’s Traxon cargoHUB

cargo-partner has renewed its contract with CHAMP for its Traxon cargoHUB community. The forwarder has benefitted from access to the largest air cargo community, with digital access to thousands of stakeholders throughout the supply chain, enabling doing business with all community players via a single system regardless of message format or protocol.

In a move for further operational excellence, the forwarder has also implemented Traxon Quality. Rather than waiting for monthly reports to measure internal efficiencies, cargo-partner will now get the most up-to-date insights sourced from data from its Traxon cargoHUB solution.

“With new data insights we will be able to further optimize our business and operations, and ultimately further improve our customers’ experience with us,” says Jo Feiks, Corporate Director Product Management Air Cargo, at cargo-partner. “We are pleased to renew for Traxon cargoHUB and implementing data insights solutions that will be of boundless benefits to our operations.”

cargo-partner recently began with weekly charter flights from Asia to Europe.

As of 4 June 2021, forwarders are required to submit Advance Customs Information for all shipments entering Canada. As a longtime customer, cargo-partner chose CHAMP for its new compliance needs. The solution adapts quickly to the latest country customs requirements and enables efficient, secure, and accurate information exchange in line with the customs authorities’ requirements - regardless of format, communications protocols and processing rules.

Also, Gulf Air renewed multi-year agreement for CHAMP Cargospot Suite.

 “As a longtime stakeholder in the air cargo industry, cargo-partner understands the benefits of using data to its advantage,” says Nicholas Xenocostas, Vice President Commercial and Customer Engagement at CHAMP Cargosystems. “The data already collected in Traxon cargoHUB is brought together for simple and straightforward insights that can help make vital business decisions. We are pleased to support them in their pursuit of operational excellence.”

Scan Global Logistics acquires New Zealand Freight Forwarder Orbis Global Logistics

 Scan Global Logistics acquires New Zealand Freight Forwarder Orbis Global Logistics

Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has signed an agreement to acquire New Zealand Freight Forwarder Orbis Global Logistics Limited. Orbis will become the newest member of the SGL family on 5 October. 

SGL and Orbis are said to share an identical customer-centric business model rooted in providing entrepreneurial transport and logistics solutions to a diverse portfolio of customers. By this acquisition, SGL will significantly strengthen its position in the Pacific region, targeting significant growth in the coming years.

A testament to its founders, Troy Hageman, Stuart Kingdon, and Stephen Fredricson, Orbis has experienced rapid growth and established a leading position in the New Zealand Freight Forwarding market since its inception in 2017. 

Director of Orbis, Troy Hageman, explains how the acquisition will provide an even better value proposition for the customers, "The SGL acquisition of Orbis represents the next chapter in our dynamic growth in the NZ market. SGL is the perfect fit for us on a cultural level. It also gives us the ability to utilize their extensive network and infrastructure to expand within the Pacific Region and beyond, to the benefit of our customers and staff alike. The Orbis Team and Directors look forward to our next chapter with SGL, remaining focussed on providing our customers with the service and care that they are accustomed to, and with the additional capability that SGL brings."

Orbis has grown rapidly within a short period, becoming one of the strongest logistics offerings in the NZ market due to an incredibly well-built team delivering uncomplicated and efficient solutions to its customers. The company will continue under the leadership of the founders.

SGL CEO Pacific region, Søren Madsen, expands on the Pacific growth opportunities, 'In Orbis, we immediately saw a perfect match with our SGL DNA and a unique opportunity to significantly strengthen our position, providing a strong platform for our ambitions in New Zealand.

Under the continued leadership of Troy, Stephen, and Stuart, I am confident our 'company's global reach and strengths will be utilized in full and complement Orbis' high-quality solutions and market position to deliver an even better value proposition to our existing and future customers".

Group CEO of SGL Group, Allan Melgaard, adds:"We are thrilled that Orbis is joining our family, which marks another important milestone in our global expansion plans. The Pacific region remains a key market for SGL in the years to come, where we expect significant growth and see strong demand. While we share a similar business approach, most importantly, we see a perfect match with our company DNA and the virtues we value. We are very excited to welcome our new colleagues and customers into our family."

BLR Airport Cargo records highest monthly throughput

 BLR Airport Cargo records highest monthly throughput

Cargo volumes at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) continued to see growth and announce the achievement of its highest monthly throughput since commencement of operations. 

Under challenging circumstances due to the pandemic, BLR Airport has processed 37,319 Metric Tonnes (MT) of cargo in August —the highest ever since the Airport commenced operations in 2008. International cargo (both imports and exports) continued to be growth drivers, accounting for 24,304 MT, also the highest ever. Of the total international cargo, exports also achieved a significant record, an all-time high throughput of 15,224 MT.

BLR Airport, the third busiest airport in India has resulted in a 41 percent market share (industry estimates) in South India, making BLR Airport the preferred gateway for air cargo for shippers from the southern states of India. Key factors that have led to this transformation include, a conducive geographic location with easy access to manufacturing hubs in South India, adequate airline capacities to service key sectors across the globe and world-class cargo infrastructure, operated by Air India SATS and Menzies Aviation Bobba, Bangalore.

In addition to round the clock support from Indian Customs, Government of Karnataka helped in creating a robust business environment amid the pandemic. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Government of India also played a key role in helping BLR Airport achieve this milestone.

There are currently 14 dedicated freighters operating to and from BLR Airport, and there is also additional belly capacity in passenger aircraft. On an average, we have about 30-33 daily freighter movements at BLR Airport.

The current cargo capacity of BLR Airport is 715,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) annually and is expandable up-to 850,000 MT. Our aim is to expand the cargo infrastructure to provide a capacity of 1 million MT in the next few years.

BLR Airport is also the leading airport for export of perishable goods from India. BIAL has made continuous efforts to improve operational efficiency by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, market-leading technology, and customer service.