By the end of this year, all of the markets in the Swiss WorldCargo network should be online on cargo.one’s booking platform – that is the goal the two partners have taken upon themselves. Not only the airline’s 170+ international destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, but also key products from its modular portfolio. cargo.one users will be able to choose from SWISS General Cargo or SWISS Pharma and Healthcare. The latter can be combined with the transportation solution Celsius Passive, and X-Presso for those shipments requiring fast transportation. The airline is known for its expertise in healthcare and valuable shipments, and for its quality service which includes a well-functioning road feeder service as well as quick flight turnarounds at Zurich and Geneva Airports.

“Swiss WorldCargo and cargo.one are collaborating with a shared focus on enhancing the customer’s end-to-end digital experience, by providing freight forwarders with accurate and bookable air freight market content,” the release revealed.

Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., stated: “Swiss WorldCargo’s customers can find Swiss quality and reliability in everything we do. These values are consistently reflected in our digital proposition as well, in line with our ambitions to provide our customers with Swiss quality service. We are pleased to partner with the digital platform cargo.one to offer an enhanced digital booking experience and market presence.”

Moritz Claussen, Founder and Co-CEO of cargo.one, said: “Swiss WorldCargo capacity being available on cargo.one is an apt reflection of just how much care we take with each and every digital booking. We are proud to support Swiss WorldCargo in growing its digital presence, and collaborating to bring added long-term value to the market and the industry.”

Not every day that you hear about a significant investment in improving cargo infrastructure, and yet, this week, Glasgow Prestwick Airport announced an investment of GBP 2.17 million in new cargo equipment as well as cold-storage facilities. The former has already manifested itself in the delivery of a second new high loader that will support the airport in achieving turnaround times of under two hours for a 90-ton load. Other improvements include new cargo equipment such as 12 new dollies, a heavy-duty pushback tractor capable of handling any aircraft type, a new Rapiscan X-ray machine with 7.5mm steel penetration, and cold storage solutions with a controlled range of -30C to +25C. The airport, which does not suffer from a night-flight ban or other flight restrictions, is focusing on developing its freight services. Its two high loaders have 20 and 35-ton capacities.

Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “We have one of the fastest turnaround times for air cargo in the UK, no slot requirements, and no restrictions. This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to providing world class freight services with 24/7 operations. We offer a cost-effective solution delivered by an experienced team, and our road, rail, and ferry connections make us an excellent choice for e-commerce operations seeking unrestricted services.”

Since the start of 2024, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has been working with SkyCell technology and the corresponding SkyMind platform to keep track of its ULD fleet. SkyCell’s advanced Internet of Things technology enables real-time visibility of its ULD operations. Originally designed to enhance pharma transportation, the technology makes use of sophisticated tags and readers to deliver accurate, real-time data, giving the airlines vastly improved control and efficiency in its logistics operations. The sooner discrepancies or changes are detected, the quicker the airline can proactively take measures to counteract any deviations.

Kuehne+Nagel has now joined in on the real-time ULD tracking move and chosen to support the process at its warehouse facility and Frankfurt/Main Airport (FRA). It installed gateway readers there on 06MAY24, enabling live tracking of SkyMind AFKLMP Cargo ULD devices. This is a first and significant improvement measure. The press release refers to it as “a significant step forward in the air cargo industry, revolutionizing ULD tracking and setting new standards for operational efficiency and customer service.”

Holger Ketz, Global Head of Air Logistics Network & Carrier Management at Kuehne+Nagel, explained: “Kuehne+Nagel’s installation of gateway readers at our Frankfurt facility showcases our dedication to embracing innovation and enhancing our services with the needs of our customers in mind. We are pleased to support Air France KLM Martinair Cargo as the first customer to utilize this highly innovative method of tracking ULDs, further reinforcing our position as an industry leader.”

Andy Newbold, Global Key Account Director at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, said: “With SkyMind, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo will gain complete control over its ULD operations — mitigating the extensive manual efforts historically associated with ULD tracing and tracking, leading to substantial time and cost savings, as well as boosting operational efficiency. We are proud of this important step made by Kuehne+Nagel, showcasing their commitment to pioneering innovative solutions that ultimately benefit our mutual customers.”

The past two months have seen electric truck (e-truck) pilots being carried out across Austria and Slovakia, for first and last-mile delivery runs. Similar e-truck test routes are planned in other CEE countries, in line with the logistics provider’s comprehensive sustainability strategy. cargo-partner’s ultimate goal by the end of this year, is to have at least five cargo-partner branded e-trucks offering capacities of between 7.5 to 10 tons, in operation in Europe within the local Road Transport segment. The company will also invest in charging stations at its hubs to ensure seamless operations.

The tests in Austria, which began at the end of MAR24, were carried out using a Mercedes-Benz eActros-300. This e-truck is capable of covering 250-300 km on a single charge. Trips operated from and around cargo-partner’s hub near Vienna Airport, were proven to be emission and noise-free. The truck was deployed in last-mile delivery routes covering numerous stops, and transported an average of around 5.5 tons of cargo on a daily basis. “A significant highlight was a tour to the nearby town of St. Poelten. Throughout the trip, the truck delivered cargo with a total payload of 6.9 tons, completing all customer stops over a total distance of 264 km. With an average energy consumption of only 1 kWh/km, the truck proved highly energy-efficient, as the board computer showed a remaining capacity of 38% or 166 km at the end of the day;” the release explained.

Over in Slovakia, from mid-APR24, it was a FUSO eCanter truck that was used in tests during a two-week period. It offers a power output of 123.9 kW, a 3.1-ton payload capacity using 12 pallets, and can cover up to 200 km on a single charge. Here, Bratislava was the main location for the daily test routes, though trial runs were also carried out between the Bratislava hub and cargo-partner’s warehouse in Dunajska Streda, and between Bratislava, Vienna, and Fischamend. The tests showed similar results to the Austrian pilots, at an average consumption of 1 kWh/km.

Thomas Schledorn, cargo-partner’s Chief Operating Officer Overland, stated: “cargo-partner is committed to driving sustainable innovation in the logistics industry. We are very pleased by the positive results of the initial trial runs in Austria and Slovakia, and we look forward to testing electric trucks in other countries soon. By introducing e-trucks for first and last-mile transports, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment while maintaining the highest standards of service for our customers.”

UK-based media outlet Freightweek has recognized LATAM Cargo Chile as “the most sustainable cargo airline of the year in the Americas”. This distinction was announced at the publication’s 2024 Sustainability Awards event. The accolade recognized the airline’s efforts in the areas of circular economy, its multiple shared value initiatives and its advancements in limiting global warming.

The award considers outstanding airlines in the sector that are leading the way towards a more sustainable air cargo industry. On this occasion, the LATAM Cargo brand stood out against its competitors in its category, being selected by industry voters as the winner for presenting the most outstanding sustainability initiatives.

“For us, sustainability is one of the highest priorities of the industry. We have set ambitious goals for ourselves as we believe it is crucial to move towards carbon neutrality with a circular economic model and to support the communities where we operate. We proudly accept this recognition as the most sustainable cargo airline group in the Americas, as it reaffirms that we are on the right path and drives us to continue working strongly in our commitment to the environment and society,” said Cristina Oñate, VP of Sustainability and Product at LATAM Cargo Chile on the occasion of the event.

Nominations started in early 2024, with 1,200 companies participating in 17 different categories, including sustainability awards for entities such as airports, cargo airlines, handling operators, freight forwarders, among others. Five finalists were selected for each category from the candidates. LATAM Cargo Chile stood out as the only South American cargo airline among them, and the only winner.

LATAM, along with its cargo and passenger affiliates, has set ambitious goals, attempting to reduce and offset the equivalent of 50% of domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as part of its ongoing journey towards carbon neutrality by 2050. The scheme is based on the carrier’s sustainability strategy decided in May 2021, aimed at upping its commitment to protecting strategic ecosystems of South America, transitioning to a zero waste-to-landfill model by 2027, and making its connectivity capacity available for the benefit of the region’s communities.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”