CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ singles out a different aspect of the air cargo every week, to illustrate the manifold career opportunities within the industry. This week, we return to the world of ULDs, in particular: ULD design and manufacturing. With a growing focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency, clever developments in ULD design – such as VRR’s collapsible containers – can help bring about positive change in the industry. Ben Lakerveld, recently promoted to Operations Director at VRR, talks about his job, his views on the industry’s challenges, and reveals his film title suggestion.

CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?

BV: My new role starting this year is Operations Director. I’ll be responsible for overseeing our manufacturing, supply chain, and quality assurance operations, as well as developing and implementing improvements for continuously enhancing operations and thereby further benefiting our customers.

CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?

BV: Right now, I’m leading an internal project to better align the organization from an operational perspective, which will result in clearer and smoother operations in the near future and contribute to the value we provide to our customers. This is currently my top priority. It also means I’m in a temporary transition phase between my previous job as Sales Manager and this new role. Nevertheless, I’m already getting involved in the operations daily to familiarize myself with that side of our company.

CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?

BV: I’ve been with the company for over 15 years now. The air cargo industry itself wasn’t my main motivation for joining this field. I was more excited by the company, its ambition, and the great projects we were working on. The innovative products and solutions we offer have always inspired me and taught me to think outside the box. I’ve felt this way and stayed with the company all this time.

CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?

BV: I enjoy the variety of work I do and the opportunity I’ve had to be part of the growth our company has experienced over the past 10 years. Of course, it’s also about being part of a fantastic team that made this possible. The company hasn’t changed much; we’re still that bold company that’s trying to challenge the industry with new and innovative products.

CFG: What do you see as the greatest challenges in our industry?

BV: Safety remains a challenge in the air freight sector, particularly due to the increasing transport of lithium batteries and the risks it entails. Fortunately, many airlines and integrators have already taken precautions to minimize these risks. The solutions are available on the market. However, there are still numerous risks and incidents on a daily basis. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to the point where this leads to fatal accidents”

Additionally, global geopolitical tensions put us in an uncertain period. Luckily this industry has always been able to overcome these situations and even ensured continuation of supply chains while the regular logistics were disrupted.

The impact of global warming is also becoming increasingly visible, as shown by various natural disasters worldwide. We can’t ignore this anymore, and everyone in the industry must contribute positively. Sadly, this is a slow process with many stakeholders involved.

CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to enter into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?

BV: Training and background really depend on the role you’re aiming for. The most important thing for people looking for a position in aviation is to seek an employer that truly cares for its employees. This means having the opportunity to demonstrate mastery every day, being challenged to learn new things, being treated just as you would treat others, having enough autonomy to perform the work well, and being part of a team with shared and clear goals. Only then can one thrive for staying long with a company and staying enthusiastic about your job.

CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?

BV: I’d like to relate this specifically to the ULD industry: ‘The Hidden Backbone of the Skies.’ ULDs play an essential role in transporting all kinds of goods, even those goods most people may not realize exist. Although ULDs may seem like simple boxes, they require a lot of innovation and development as they help keep the industry running smoothly and ensure the safe transportation of complex goods in tough conditions.

Many thanks for sharing your views, Ben!

If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.

Bettina Petzold, a highly experienced cargo executive, is in the driver’s seat of the newly created Corporate Responsibility team, which includes Environmental Management. Its members’ main aim is to bundle and promote sustainability initiatives and bring them to the table within the Lufthansa Cargo cosmos, but also beyond the carrier’s borders. The core task is to support Lufthansa Cargo employees in their global commitment to sustainability activities and to increase customer involvement. Bettina Petzold and her team’s key motto is: Every action counts; the time of silo thinking in the industry should be over.  

“Sustainable Choice”
Sustainability is an extremely broad field of action in aviation, which is why priorities must be determined by parties responsible for this topic, to avoid companies getting bogged down. One of Bettina’s key agenda items is to further increase the share of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in order to further reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of Lufthansa Cargo’s Triple Seven freighter fleet. This also applies to the B777 freighters belonging to JV partner AeroLogic (50% DHL / 50% LHC) where six units are operated by the cargo crane. “We invite our customers to contribute to the decarbonization of air freight with our `Sustainable Choice´ add-on service. The optional service can easily be booked via the Lufthansa Cargo homepage. The service combines CO₂ reduction through the use of SAF with compensation through the contribution to high-quality climate protection projects,” says the executive. Its success will certainly take more time, because SAF is currently still 3 to 4 times more expensive than Jet A-1 fuel, since supply keeps lacking demand.

All it takes is a click
Seen from the practical side, ‘Sustainable Choice’ allows shippers or forwarders to book a certain percentage of SAF after filling out the air waybill. In return, they receive official certificates documenting the emissions saved. 

The offer is made to all customers, big or small, and seems to also be attractive for project business, states Bettina. “We would like to see even more penetration in the market and will be placing a strong focus on SAF this year.” Under the hashtag #Together for sustainability, a close exchange on the topic has begun, including initiatives for innovative projects or process optimizations.

SAF ‘Bulk’ offer
In addition to the digital add-on service, ‘Sustainable Choice’, individual ‘Bulk Offers’ are tailored to Lufthansa Cargo’s interested partners. The agreements are usually negotiated directly between Lufthansa Cargo and its global customers. Last year, Lufthansa Cargo concluded two major bulk deals with Danish logistics giant, Maersk, and the Chinese company, BSI, which is active along the entire value chain of the global transport and mobility sector.

Further measures
Further to this, Bettina emphasizes that Lufthansa Cargo strives for a maximum reduction of CO₂ emissions in flight operations and relies on effective measures to achieve this. In addition to a modern fleet and the use of SAF, the focus is on continuous optimization of flight operations, for example through targeted fuel efficiency measures.

On the ground, the cargo airline is also taking steps towards achieving its goal of carbon neutrality by exploring new ways of reducing energy consumption, the use of fewer resources, and waste avoidance. Two targets achieved in 2024, were the change from carbon powered cars to electric vehicles operated by Lufthansa Cargo, and the recycling of defective and expired belts. The latter is a step that saves several tons of waste every year in Frankfurt. 

28FEB25 was Bernhard Stock’s last working day at EMO-Trans GmbH. After serving the company for 32 years, most of them as head of the air freight business, he left his desk in Kelsterbach near Frankfurt, and entered a new phase of his life as a retiree. However, as EMO stakeholder, he will remain with the company, but without operational obligations. Nevertheless, with Stock, the logistics specialist is losing one of its top managers and a globally renowned figurehead of the company.

A very socially-committed person
Bärenherz is a foundation for children with multiple and severe disabilities. At least once a year, a delegation of EMO-Trans employees, always led by Bernhard Stock, visits the facility to give presents to the children and make a large donation to the organization. “Supporting this foundation is a matter close to my heart,” Stock told CargoForwarder Global on one of these occasions. “Bernhard is a very socially-committed person,” confirms Günther Gasthuber, Managing Director of the co-loading association, IGLU Air Cargo GmbH. Both cargo veterans know each other very well, as Stock is Chairman of the IGLU Advisory Board.

Expanding the company’s footprint
Bernhard began his career with Schenker in Asia and was subsequently stationed in Taiwan, Dubai, and Lagos. He joined EMO-Trans in Frankfurt in September 1993, where he soon played a central role in air freight. This was followed by efforts to widen the company’s footprint by stepping into the fast-growing Indo-Asia region. In the following years, he was instrumental in establishing and developing business activities in most countries in the Middle and Far East. He was also heavily involved in the expansion of various subsidiaries. 

Management buyout
As an entrepreneurially-thinking person, he participated in the management buyout with a handful of other executives after the Hamburg-born EMO founder, Eckart Moltmann, decided to sell the company, offering management to purchase his shares. “Bernhard’s commitment and leadership contributed significantly to the development and growth of air freight, which has always been our core business,” applauds co-stakeholder, Stefan Ritter, in a farewell message. 

Leaving a big gap
Last year, he began placing significant parts of his tasks in the hands of younger colleagues. Since then, Norman Klinkhammer has been responsible for the entire air and sea freight business of EMO-Trans GmbH. At the same time, Bastian Trapp, who reports to Klinkhammer, was appointed Head of Air Freight Germany, following in Stock’s footsteps. He praises Bernhard Stock as an “absolute expert” who has shaped the company’s air freight business like no other. “When I took over the position, he was like a mentor who supported me and opened many doors.” Trapp’s conclusion: “Through his departure, Bernhard Stock is leaving a big gap at EMO-Trans GmbH.”

Now it is up to the next generation togradually fill this vacancy.