Held on 16MAY24, DHL’s annual myDHLi Digital Summit – the fourth of its kind – showcased a number of new features and ‘significant upgrades’ to its digital customer portal. The main highlight, however, was the introduction of a GenAI-based virtual assistant created to enhance the portal’s usability and efficiency for the more than 20,000 customers using myDHLi to optimize their supply chains and logistics. An average of 450,000 shipments are tracked every month, thus proving the portal’s reliability and usefulness. The press release underlines that the portal’s improvements stem from regular customer feedback, and that developments and additions to myDHLi are based on three pillars: “usability, resilience, and sustainability. These enhancements are aimed at providing customers with greater visibility, control, and efficiency in their logistics operations.”
Support in human form, but also as a 24/7 ChatBot. Image: DHL GF
The advanced AI enables the streamlining of work processes and its ChatBot allows for 24/7 customer support, providing information on shipment statuses, contact details, and support on a range of topics. In addition, a Customer Support Center also offers direct assistance and feedback.
myDHLi Track, too, has been upgraded to display all shipment information (house bill, status, exceptions, timestamps, and location) on a single screen, avoiding the need for scrolling and searching. Users can filter information easily on mobile devices, and additional details, such as customs declarations, have been incorporated. myDHLi Track can now be filtered by ‘exceptions’ to quickly identify any shipments requiring intervention.
Sustainability, integral to the DHL strategy, features in the GoGreen Plus service option allowing users to opt for reduced emissions through sustainable fuels, and the enhanced myDHLi Analytics which tracks sustainability efforts. Also, an upgraded GoGreen dashboard benchmarks carbon reduction activities based on trade lanes and time period, so that customers can better align their logistics choices to achieve their own sustainability goals.
Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, said: “At DHL Global Forwarding, we are dedicated to being a reliable and trusted partner for our customers. The integration of GenAI into myDHLi allows us to further enhance their logistics experience, offering innovative solutions that drive usability, resilience, and sustainability. Together, we are shaping the future of logistics, providing our customers with the tools they need to navigate the ever-changing landscape with confidence.”
16MAY24 saw the launch of Challenge Group’s regular Thursday flight from Liège (LGG) to Dubai World Central (DWC), via Tel Aviv (TLV). The first two weeks will see a B747F service offering a 120-ton cargo capacity and from June onwards, this will double as two flights per week, departing on Tuesdays and Fridays, operated by B767-300BDSF aircraft, join the schedule. Coming back and making the most of Challenge Group’s Liège hub in linking the Gulf with Europe and the U.S., is a weekly capacity offer on 100 tons out of Dubai. The services were installed in response to increasing customer demand in these regions. The route itself is not new: Challenge Group operated a number of charter flights from Dubai during the pandemic, and it will continue to offer bespoke end-to-end logistics solutions to its customers, particularly for complex cargo which it is best known for. The new scheduled service will see loads consisting of a mix of general cargo and specialized shipments such as aircraft engines, live animals, pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods, or high-tech & e-commerce products. GSA GLOBAL CARGO LLC is responsible for the group’s operations in Dubai, “ensuring effective capacity management and local expertise,” the release explains. It also states: “This new route underscores Challenge Group’s dedication to strengthening its network, providing comprehensive logistics solutions, and delivering exceptional service globally.”
Regular cargo merits a regular service. Image: Challenge Group
Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer at Challenge Group, commented: “We are thrilled to launch this new scheduled route, which underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers with our expanding Boeing 747 and 767 fleets. This initiative is a natural extension of our successful service between Mumbai and Liège, enhancing our global presence.”
DB Schenker has gone where no forwarder has gone before in Sweden: using an e-truck on a long-haul route. Shorter routes using smaller e-trucks are growing in popularity, particularly within populated areas such as for distribution transport in cities, but long-haul poses challenges and requirements. The e-trucks need to be able to cope with heavy loads and cover long distances. Daimler has a truck due for launch at the end of this year, that will be able to cover 500 km on a single charge. The one DB Schenker is now testing, however, is Scania’s R 450e e-truck. Measuring 24 meters in length and weighing 64 tons, the e-truck will now be tested on daily long-distance runs. Thanks to its seven batteries with a combined capacity of 728 kilowatt hours, the truck can cover 300 kilometers on a single charge and ‘in Nordic weather conditions’, the press release states.
300 kms on a single charge and no emissions. Image: DB Schenker
DB Schenker is the first company in Sweden to deploy an e-truck for long-haul transport, and the R 450e truck is Scania’s first battery-electric long-haul truck with a driving range of 300 km. It is charged with ABB E-mobile’s high-power chargers at DB Schenker’s terminals. The fully electric route (now replacing the previous diesel truck), runs from Jönköping and Södertälje and back, which is an operating distance of around 300 kilometers. The journey-time lasts approximately 3 hours. Transportation will take place between the Swedish terminals at night, so that the shipments can then be distributed to their respective customers during the day.
The move is all part of the E-Charge project – a conglomeration of fourteen partners (from the fields of vehicle construction, science, logistics, electricity and fuel) collaborating to develop and test battery-electric long-distance transportation in real situations across Sweden. The trials take into account drivers’ driving and rest times, and provide data on the impact on the power grid to the effects on transportation and logistics, gathering information on energy consumption, infrastructure requirements, and charger/charging station dimensions. The long-haul tests now kicking off at DB Schenker’s, are the result of three years of preparation and research in the E-Charge project.
Anna Hagberg, Head of Network & Scheduled Services at DB Schenker, said: “For DB Schenker, the purpose is to test and gain experience of fully electric heavy vehicles in long-distance regular traffic. The electrification of heavy vehicles plays a crucial role in our transition to carbon-neutral transport and, since heavy traffic accounts for the largest emissions for us, it is incredibly important.”
And another airline has joined the CargoAi platform. This time it is SriLankan Cargo that is offering its own customers another quick and convenient way to digitally book air cargo shipment transports. Having joined cargo.one three months ago, CargoAi is its second digital marketplace, and its operations out of Colombo to 37 destinations across 21 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Far East and Australia, are now also available to other CargoAi users, too. The cargo arm of SriLankan Airlines has also opted for the platform’s payment processes allowing immediate cross-border payment and a much swifter, simpler payment process, since forwarders no longer have to provide a bank guarantee or pay yearly subscriptions. The press release elaborates: “CargoAi’s integration with SriLankan Cargo also streamlines payment processes by offering multiple payment methods, ranging from local transfers to credit card payments, removing the reliance on cash payments and enhancing security and efficiency in financial transactions. Additionally, CargoAi’s CargoWALLET platform facilitates the reconciliation process, automating tasks that were previously manual and time-consuming.”
SriLankan Cargo follows its digitalization strategy, supported by CargoAi. Image: company courtesy
Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo of SriLankan Airlines, said: “Our partnership with CargoAi marks another significant stride in our digitalization journey, aimed at expanding our horizons. We will be able to enhance the visibility of our inventory and offer customers a convenient airfreight booking experience. We are looking forward to extending our market reach and engaging with businesses of all scales with CargoAi.”
Matt Petot, CEO of CargoAi, stated: “Our collaboration with SriLankan Cargo marks a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize the air cargo industry. By leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance user experience, we are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in airfreight logistics.”
Two digital channels on offer and in collaboration with WebCargo by Freightos. The latter helped developed United Cargo’s own “state-of-the-art self-service online cargo portal” and has now also gained the airline as a further capacity provider on the WebCargo digital cargo booking platform. Not only do United Cargo’s customers have two booking options now, but also all other WebCargo users can access United Cargo’s capacities, too. The roll-out has already taken place for customers in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and will continue later this month, to encompass the U.S. and Canada, too.
United Cargo goes digital. Image: United Cargo/WebCargo
Jan Krems, United Cargo President, said: “Our customers are seeking new ways to communicate and book with us. The enhanced booking functionality on our website, along with our participation in the WebCargo marketplace, are two new booking options for our customers. It’s another step forward in delivering an even better customer experience. We are excited about these advancements and our collaboration with the WebCargo team spanning both our portal and the WebCargo platform.”
Manuel Galindo, Chief Revenue Officer at Freightos, commented: “We’re thrilled to have partnered with United Cargo in support of its mission to deliver a world-class customer digital experience. It’s no secret, there is a rapid adoption of eBookings, particularly across Europe and the Americas. By combining United Cargo’s booking portal with the thousands of forwarders on the WebCargo and 7LFreight booking platform, forwarders large and small can now access United Cargo services 24/7, wherever they choose.”
Aviation sustainability begins on the ground and dnata chose the backdrop of the Dubai Airshow last week, to further demonstrate its commitment to cleaner operations by signing five-year global framework contracts with eight leading manufacturers for new Ground Support Equipment (GSE). The contracts totaling more than USD 210 million, will see upgrade its GSE fleets across its ground handling, cargo and catering & retail operations at 130 airports on six continents. Deliveries will start this month. Almost half of the planned investment (USD 100 million+) will go into dnata’s Dubai GSE fleet, in preparation for the significant growth in business that is forecast. It currently operates 2,500 motorized GSE at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports, where it serves more than 190 airlines. Globally, its GSE fleet totals 8,000+ pieces of motorized GSE.
The new orders are in line with dnata’s “Green First” approach aimed at further reducing its carbon emissions. To date, dnata has already committed to orders worth over USD 29 million from the agreements. “The advanced vehicles will further enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability across dnata’s global network, helping it to continue to deliver world-class services for its over 330 airline customers,” the release states, going on to underline that its green solutions go beyond simply the electrification of its ground handling fleet strategy. dnata “carefully considers climatic conditions and available infrastructure and, working closely with manufacturers and airports on practical solutions, invests in a mix of equipment types including biodiesel, electric, and hybrid to maximize environmental and operational efficiency globally.”
Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, declared: “We are committed to investing in best-in-class equipment and working with renowned partners to provide superior value and services to our customers. Today’s newly announced deals reflect our long-term strategy to constantly enhance our capabilities and adapt to the evolving needs of our industry. We will continue to invest in modern fleet and the latest technologies to remain at the forefront of the industry.”
The Sydney-based airline, formerly known as Pionair, has introduced its first Boeing converted 737-800 freighter aircraft to its fleet, registered VH-CYK. The aircraft can uplift up to 23.9 tons (52,900 pounds) of revenue payload, with 5,000ft3 available on the main deck (12 pallets) and a further 1,500ft3 available in the bulk cargo hold. Thanks to the aircraft’s cost efficiency, ASL Airlines Australia (ASLA) can offer its customers new business and transport opportunities in the Australian domestic and international markets, with its capability to move both express parcels and larger cargo consignments speedily with a range up to 3,750 kilometers or 2,025 nautical miles.
The addition of the aircraft to the carrier’s fleet was preceded by a revision of its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA). This followed a 12-month project which saw delivery of VH-CYK to the airline in February 2024, issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness in March, and a successful AOC variation proving flight under CASA oversight in April this year. Currently, ASLA is in discussion with customers and expects to operate its first commercial revenue flights soon. This initial freighter aircraft is part of ASLA parent ASL Aviation Holdings’ B737-800 Boeing conversion program which includes slots for 40 aircraft to be converted and placed into operation in ASL’s fleets in Ireland, France, Belgium, Thailand, India and now Australia. After having welcomed VH-CYK, ASLA expects to grow the fleet, adding freighters over time to meet customer demand. The B737-800BCF emits around 15% less greenhouse gases compared to its predecessor, the B737-400 Classic. This is in line with ASL’s commitment to sustainability and to achieving net-zero emissions come 2050.
Serving the U.S., Asia, and LatAm out of Miami. Image: Maersk
Last month saw A.P. Moller – Maersk open its first air freight gateway in Miami. The 8,000 m² facility is staffed entirely by in-house Maersk Air Freight forwarding professionals, and delivers full-service, in-transit service solutions. It is also fully certified both as a U.S. Customs bonded Container Freight Station (CFS) and a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF). Thus, best equipped to serve the U.S., Asia, and Latin America markets. “This new air freight facility underscores Maersk’s commitment to providing seamless and competitive connectivity to major Latin American markets. The Miami gateway will serve as a strategic node in Maersk’s global air freight network.” Maersk has modeled its Miami gateway on its other operations in Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The new facility has been created with a focus on transshipping European and Asian cargo via Miami to Latin America, offering competitive connectivity on freighter and passenger capacity. It will support the North American export market to Latin America and the Asian market that serves the Latin American supply chain via cost competitive U.S. routes. In total, Maersk’s air freight portfolio offers 70,000 airport pairings across more than 90 countries around the globe.
John Wetherell, Global Head of Air Freight Forwarding at Maersk, said: “Our Miami expansion is a vital and strategic addition to our global gateway network, providing connectivity from Asia, Europe, and the U.S. to Latin America.”
Brent Mayhew, Regional Head of Air Freight for North America, stated: “Adding to our global gateway network, this addition in Miami provides our customers with substantial added value, leveraging structured routing within a gateway environment. This includes seamless truck connectivity through our North American station network, ensuring efficient and reliable integrated logistics solutions.”
Fabio Acerbi, Regional Head of Air Freight for Latin America, commented: “Our Miami Gateway offers an alternative routing option that can provide predictable transit times from our global network, improving connectivity, flexibility, and reliability. It supports the North American and Asian export market, opening new possibilities for our customers in Latin America.”
Harassment? Hush-up? Or Human, after all? CargoForwarder Global (CFG) rarely discusses personnel decisions made by airlines, airports or forwarding agents. Instead, CFG focuses on reporting factual issues and, in the case of management decisions, on the consequences they may have for a company. However, in this particular case, CFG makes an exception. Not least, because we also want to send out a stop signal to attempts at intimidation, as this would otherwise be the end of critical journalism.
Stanislas Brun, source: Etihad
This case involves many actors. The most important of which are: AirFrance-KLM-Martinair, its former Indian employee, Ruchika Singh Chhabra; the former AF-KLM-MP Executive, Stanislas Brun, who is meanwhile VP Cargo at Etihad; the press department of Etihad Cargo, and lawyer, Francesco Fiorilli from the Dubai law firm, HFW.
The case In 2013, Ruchika Singh Chhabra, a former commercial assistant of Air France-KLM-Martinair, had alleged being harassed by Stanislas Brun on multiple occasions, citing several incidents supporting her averment that she was subjected to repeated sexual advances in spite of her constant rejection of his – as she holds – unambiguous intentions. French national, Mr. Brun was at the time Marketing Manager at Air France-KLM Cargo & Martinair Cargo for India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Revoke or get fired Following an internal investigation, which resulted in a blank cheque for Brun’s conduct, Ms. Chhabra’s allegations were denied by the airline which threatened her with dismissal and exclusion from future pension payments from the provident fund in case she would repeat her allegations.
But she persisted, and the case eventually ended up in the High Court in New Delhi. Finally, in 2018, the judges, S Ravindra Bhat and justice AK Chawla, ruled that the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted by Air France on the harassment complaints made by Ms. Chhabra and the (AF-KLM-MP) panel’s resultant proceedings were invalid, and set them aside. Air France was prompted to reconstitute the ICC in strict compliance with the legal requirements within 30 days and conduct the inquiry afresh. For instance, it is mandatory to conspicuously display at the workplace what the penal consequences are of indulging in acts that may constitute sexual harassments. The court found that Ms. Chhabra had been victimized by the carrier for complaining against sexual harassment and forced to resign on 23SEP17. According to the court, this made the victim the culprit. The High Court did not assess whether there was sexual harassment by Stanislas Brun, as repeatedly alleged by Ms. Chhabra. In its judgment, the High Court limited itself to the unacceptable composition of the ICC, which made an objective clarification of the allegations impossible.
Indian media reported extensively on the case. For example: the Hindustan Times on 30MAY18, HRKatha on 01JUN18 or LEXTECHSUITE, the Lawyer Service for India (file #16802-03, 2018). The outcome of the investigations by the newly constituted ICC has not been made public by either side. It is therefore unclear whether AF made any compensation payments to Ms. Chhabra or whether both sides had reached an agreement in another way.
Against this background, CFG asked Etihad Airways if management was aware of the complaints raised by Ms. Chhabra and the Indian judiciary’s involvement in the case, prior to hiring Mr. Brun.
HFW lawyer plays hardball, In addition, CFG confidentially sent Etihad Corporate Communication an excerpt of a letter it recently received from an anonymous source, asking Etihad for an official reaction. In the original letter considerable accusations are made against the management style of Mr. Brun.
However, instead of providing an answer to the question of whether Etihad management knew about the processes and legal proceedings in India prior to Mr. Brun’s appointment to VP Cargo on 21FEB24, Francesco Fiorilli from the Dubai law firm, Holman, Fenwick, Willan (HFW), issued CFG with this cease-and-desist declaration:
“Our Client [i. e. EY Cargo] demands that you refrain from publishing any article containing the above referenced allegations (or any similar allegations)*. If you fail to comply with such request, our client has instructed us to issue proceedings against you (without further notice to you) seeking any appropriate relief, including an injunction restraining further publication, damages and legal costs.”
* “the article is understood to contain serious allegations against Etihad Airways and one of its employees, Mr. Stanislas Brun.”
… but should fasten his seat belt Which ‘serious allegations’ he refers to, Mr. Fiorilli does not specify. This does not surprise us since CFG made no allegations. It simply posed questions to the Etihad management.
CFG’s response to Mr. Fiorilli and his law firm, is this:
“If a person living in the EU is targeted by a SLAPP** case in a third country, [such as the Emirates], EU member states must refuse the recognition and enforcement of this third-county judgement if it is considered manifestly unfounded or abusive. In order to discourage abusive legal actions, the [EU] judge can also decide to subject the party who initiated the SLAPP case to penalties or other equally effective measures.”
Quote: Council of the EU, 19MAR24
** SLAPP – Strategic Lawsuits against public participation, aimed at intimidating and threatening journalists and human right defenders.
On 13 May, Lufthansa brought four A320’s to Brussels Airport, with each of the group members sporting a ‘Yes to Europe’ livery. Through the visual demonstration of the aircraft, the aviation concern wanted to highlight the importance of the upcoming European elections which take place from 06-09JUN24. The event was an appeal to Europeans not to vote for right-wing extremist and post-fascist parties. They wanted to return to an EU of nation states and abolish the euro. This would jeopardize economic growth, Europe’s position in the world and cost millions of jobs.
The Lufthansa Group says “Yes to Europe” – image: CFG/ms
In his introductory remarks, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr reminded of the prosperity the European Union has brought to post-war Europe and continues doing so. Only this economic and political bloc made it possible to establish a transnational aviation company like the Lufthansa Group. As proof, four A320 aircraft of member airlines stood behind him on the apron of BRU airport: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Lufthansa.
Maintaining, not jeopardizing prosperity Today, the bloc is a respected trade partner across the world and extremely well connected. Within Europe and beyond the limits of the continent, the Lufthansa group member airlines, including Swiss, Discover Airlines, and Air Dolomiti provide the connectivity needed by business travelers, the cargo industry and leisure travelers alike. This is a contribution to the preservation of prosperity in Europe, the executive stated.
However, after 75 years of a largely positive development that has enabled millions of people to enjoy a safe everyday life, these favorable conditions are not to be taken for granted anymore, Mr. Spohr warned. “War is raging again at our doorstep and democracy as we know it may be under threat. “Soon millions of citizens will have the opportunity to shape the future of the European Union for the next electoral period of 5 years. Now more than ever, it is up to all of us to use our voting rights in the European elections to stand up for democracy and a united and free continent. This is the prerequisite for a strong continent and a strong economy,” he concluded.
Unity in diversity President of the European Parliament Roberta Mitsola stressed the importance of Europe’s legislative body for creating the right prerequisites for the functioning of the Union. Understandably, she too called for active participation in the elections to come. “Our work is far from finished,” she said.
As Belgium is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, the country’s PM Alexander De Croo was the third to address the guests. He said that the EU has really transformed the life of its citizens in a positive direction. “When the project was conceived there were fears that it would turn Europe into another kind of United States, erasing every form of national identity. Now we see that it has strengthened these national identities, allowing them to interact.”
Mr. De Croo admitted that the democratic process in the bloc tends to be slow. “There are countries where the leader controls 98% of the votes and decision-making may be faster,” he said. But this happens at the expense of freedom and democratic rights for the people living in states under authoritarian rule.
The joint hub concept On the occasion of the LH Group’s fleet presentation, the trade magazine AeroTelegraph published an interview with Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO Brussels Airlines. She spoke of plans to turn Brussels Airport into a joint hub of the Lufthansa Group with its joint venture partners United Airlines and Air Canada for facilitating passenger and cargo flows between North America and Africa. These flows are growing very strongly, which is why fast and efficient transfers of people and goods via high performing air hubs are essential. This joint project has already been discussed with the alliance partners, she confirmed. Part of the concept is also that Brussels Airlines will strengthen its African network by offering new routes, for instance to Nairobi, and replace jaw flights with nonstop traffic to some African destinations.
LH Cargo expands its network On 14MAY24, just one day after the event in Brussels, Lufthansa Cargo announced the addition of Monterrey to its route network. The weekly flights operated with a Boeing Triple Seven freighter aircraft are scheduled to commence on 03JUN24 and take from Frankfurt to Mexico City (NLU), then onwards to Monterrey International Airport (MTY), and back to Frankfurt. The services should be particularly interesting for automotive suppliers, electronics providers, and customers transporting medical products. Eastbound, many perishables are expected alongside industrial goods traveling from Mexico to the EU. “Connecting the business and industrial city of Monterrey with the European market as the first European cargo airline underscores our strategic growth into new markets and underlines our purpose of Enabling Global Business,” explains Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. With this new addition, Lufthansa Cargo will serve North America with up to 33 freighter frequencies weekly and South America with up to 4 frequencies weekly in addition to the large number of passenger flights offering the cargo industry abundant lower deck transport capacity.
Furthermore, Lufthansa Cargo announced the expansion of its transatlantic belly network this summer by adding Minneapolis and Raleigh-Durham to its route map. Some of the Shanghai to Frankfurt flights operated by a B777F will stop over in Dubai in future.
