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Swiss widens global network

Heiner Siegmund
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Swiss widens global network

Washington, Seoul, Toronto – these three destinations are now standing on the flight schedule of Swiss International Air Lines. While the first flight to Washington took place on 28MAR24, Seoul and Toronto followed on 07MAY and 10MAY, respectively. The three new routes are of great interest not only to passengers, but also to cargo customers.

Swiss WorldCargo has added three new intercontinental routes to its global network – company courtesy

This is evidenced when taking a closer look at the sector Seoul – Zurich. Until now, Korean Air has offered three rotations per week on this high-demand route. For freight forwarders and shippers, the offered transport capacity has now doubled, as Swiss also operates the route thrice weekly. The carrier deploys an Airbus A330-300, which can carry around 18 tons per take-off in its lower deck compartments. “This new route between Zurich and Seoul was a missing link in our network,” emphasized Markus Blinkert, Chief Financial Officer of Swiss, during a press conference at the Swiss Embassy in downtown Seoul on the occasion of the launching flight. “Swiss has been looking into connecting both countries for years, but it was only during the pandemic, when we started transporting urgently needed goods between the two nations, which sparked the scheduled flights now introduced,” said the manager.

Setting its footprint in a dynamic Asian market
From an air freight perspective, products from the electronics industry are of particular interest on this route. Seoul and the surrounding area have developed into an internationally acknowledged production center for high-tech products. Swiss WorldCargo’s Head of Cargo, Lorenzo Stoll, also refers to the region’s special economic dynamic catapulting the Korean market up front: “Uniting one of Asia’s thriving hubs with the epicenter of Europe, underscores our dedication to bridging gaps and fortifying trade lanes between flourishing markets. With the launch of Swiss WorldCargo’s operations in Seoul, we empower our clients with reliable, streamlined, and top-tier services across diverse sectors in the region.”

Simultaneously, the Helvetic industry also benefits from the new flight offer, as there is a strong demand in Korea for goods ‘Made in Switzerland’.

Toronto welcomes Swiss…
In the opposite direction, i.e. westbound routes, the services to Toronto are a welcome addition to the existing network across the North Atlantic. The inaugural YYZ flight took place on 10MAY and is offered five times a week. Like the ZRH-ICN flights, an Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft with identical capacity for air freight in its lower deck compartments, is operated between ZRH and YYZ. This is the third route to Canada after Montreal, which also includes triangular flights between Zurich, San Francisco, and Vancouver.

The Toronto route solidifies Swiss’ network in North America, which stretches from Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York Newark to Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. It also plays a crucial role in serving diverse industries in the Canadian Ontario region, such as manufacturing, technology, automotive, and notably, pharmaceutical and healthcare, states a press release.

“Toronto has emerged as a critical hub in technology, automotive, and healthcare,” said Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss on the occasion of the inaugural flight. “By linking this city with our extensive network, we aim to nurture strong economic ties with the Ontario region, by providing our customers in the area with seamless logistics solutions for the transport of their care-intensive and temperature-sensitive cargo particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.”

… so does Washington D.C.
High-value goods, sophisticated technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals, also stand on top of the items traveling on board Swiss’ A330-300 aircraft between Zurich and Washington, D.C. This service was launched on 28MAR and is offered to passengers and cargo customers daily. The District of Columbia and the neighboring areas have developed into an international hotspot for pharma and biotechnological production, which is at the same time a call to action for Swiss WorldCargo that has extensive experience in handling and caring for these demanding items.

Customers can choose from a tailored range of solutions fitting their transport needs best. These include various cooling options, add-on services such as home-delivery services or the utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the air transport of their goods.

This customization of shipments is also an appeal to the industry to join the airline in limiting climate change through its own commitment. This applies not only to the Washington flights, but to the entire network serviced by Swiss International Air Lines worldwide.

Too many planes, too little time

Brigitte Gledhill
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Too many planes, too little time

Perusing industry media and joining the dots on the different news components – ever-increasing orders for aircraft and aircraft conversions, seemingly more frequent aviation incidents such as the Boeing door coming off or technical landings, human-error during ground navigation leading to aircraft damage, strike walkouts of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME), and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) training and certification challenges – points to a worrying future in aviation. AME and MRO are the largely invisible heroes keeping aircraft in the air, and yet, here too, increasing staff shortages pose several threats to smooth operations and air safety.

Daily flight safety depends on perfect maintenance. Image: Canva/CFG

It was actually an article recently published in Aviation Week, talking about constraints and challenges in getting staff into the MRO market, that got CargoForwarder Global thinking about an area that is mostly invisible to the public eye. One that only comes to the fore when something bad happens – such as Fedex’s nose-landing in Istanbul on 08APR24, for example. This event further underlined CargoForwarder Global’s need to look at the risks posed by short-staffing in MRO and AME.

The Aviation Week article underpins the MRO market’s “significant workforce shortage” with figures regarding the U.S.: “Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook projects a global need for 690,000 new technicians over the next decade—125,000 of them in North America alone. Consultancy Oliver Wyman predicts the region will have a shortfall of more than 48,000 MRO staff by 2027, and the Aviation Technician Education Council’s 2023 Pipeline Report says U.S. commercial aviation will be 31,000 mechanics short by 2031.” Figures that are likely relatively similar in other parts of the world.

Safety is paramount
It is too early to say what caused the nose-gear failure in Fedex’ Boeing 767 freighter, and the fact that Boeing has had so much negative press recently, will likely lead to people quickly judging in a certain direction, but past nose-gear failures have often been the result of incorrect maintenance, in which case, Boeing would likely not be to blame. The question then would be: what leads to incorrect maintenance? This could be a result of inadequate staffing levels leading to compromised safety protocols. Where there are not enough staff, maintenance tasks might be rushed or critical safety checks overlooked, not only increasing the risk of injuries in the workplace, but also and above all the risk of accidents and emergencies during flight. Safety is paramount in aviation, and inadequate staffing levels in MRO pose a direct threat to this core principle.

Quality issues and compliance risks
If critical safety checks are skipped or overlooked, defects may go unnoticed, and equipment failures therefore become more prevalent. In an industry where the margin for error is razor-thin, any compromise in safety standards can have devastating consequences. Even smaller quality control issues have long-term negative impacts. Rushed or inadequate repairs may lead to recurring issues, affecting product quality and customer satisfaction.

Quite aside from customer satisfaction, is the topic of aviation standards and compliance responsibility. Aviation is highly regulated, and if authorities feel that inadequate staffing levels in MRO/AME are resulting in compliance violations, then any failures to meet regulatory requirements will lead to fines, legal consequences, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

Delays, increased downtimes and higher costs
With fewer staff available to perform maintenance to the standard required, the result can only be longer equipment downtime. The knock-on effects are disruption to operations, production delays, and revenue losses. The dangerous alternative to having aircraft grounded for longer periods, is the decision to defer preventative maintenance. This is a catch-22 since if maintenance tasks are not carried out in the intervals prescribed, the risks are that by the time maintenance actually occurs, more costly repairs may be necessary. Worse: the equipment’s efficiency may decrease and even fail in the interim, again leading to grounded planes, disrupted flight schedules, decreased asset reliability, and financial losses for airlines and operators. And absolute worst case would be a catastrophic breakdown.

The emotional impact
Financial and operational impacts are one thing. A significant aspect not to be underrated, is the strain that understaffing places on existing personnel. With fewer hands available to tackle an ever-increasing workload, those staff members available are often stretched thin, leading to burnout, fatigue, and diminished morale. In an industry where precision and attention to detail are crucial, the mental and physical strain on maintenance personnel can compromise their ability to perform their duties effectively. Over time, the burden of extra work and responsibilities may lead to higher staff turnover rates.

Guardians of safety and reliability in the skies
MROs and AMEs serve as the guardians of safety and reliability in the skies, yet faced with increasing demands of the industry and the rapid evolution of aircraft technology, insufficient numbers of trained staff pose significant dangers and hurdles. From compromised safety standards to operational inefficiencies, the ramifications of understaffing in these critical areas are far-reaching and multifaceted. Aside from the challenges in keeping existing aircraft maintained, staff shortages in MRO and AME also present a barrier to innovation and technological advancement in an aviation industry that is increasingly becoming more complex and technologically sophisticated.

Concerted efforts are needed, now, to invest in the recognition, recruitment, training, and retention of skilled personnel in MRO and AME, to ensure the continued safety, reliability, and sustainability of air travel and transport for the future.

Silke navigates 1.7 million boxes across the globe

Heiner Siegmund
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Silke navigates 1.7 million boxes across the globe

On 01APR24, Silke Lehmköster took over the role as Senior Director Fleet Management at shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd. This makes the 37-year-old manager one of the highest-ranking female executives in global shipping. Ultimately, she is responsible for the condition of the shipping company’s 258 vessels and leased units. A huge responsibility that involves a wide range of tasks.
Even as a young child, she wanted to pursue a career in seafaring, despite growing up as a diplomat’s daughter in land-locked Austria. And yet, she did just that in 2007, when she began studying industrial engineering in Bremen. Three years later, after successfully completing her studies, she started her nautical career at Hapag-Lloyd in Hamburg. Ms. Lehmköster has big shoes to fill at the shipping company. Her predecessor is Richard von Berlepsch, a logistics veteran and icon of the maritime world.

Silke Lehmköster and Berlin Express captain Alexander Meier on board Hapag-Lloyd’s huge boxship  –  photo CFG/hs

New approaches

What will she do differently to her famous predecessor? She was asked at a press event held on board the giant Berlin Express, the 399-meter-long flagship of the Hapag-Lloyd fleet. Like its three sister ships, it can transport up to 23,664 teu per trip. “My colleague, Mr. von Berlepsch, got to know the maritime shipping world in different times than I did. Formerly, a vessel used to be a self-contained world. In contrast, today, all processes are transparent thanks to advanced digitalization, even if the captain is still in charge, of course.” In the case of her employer, this means that all crew members can use Starlink’s satellite internet to get in touch with relatives, friends or other people when desired or needed. “This increases the well-being of the seafarers on board,” says Maximilian Rothkopf, COO of the shipping company.
Enabling access to this kind of communication channel also creates new tasks for fleet management. The same applies to sustainability, says Silke Lehmköster: “Environmental aspects such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are much more important than they used to be; after all, Hapag-Lloyd’s goal is to achieve net zero by 2045. Coordinating and harmonizing these various aspects of our overarching Hapag-Lloyd strategy is part of my remit,” she explains.
Her range of tasks also include retrofitting older container ships which have to be equipped with modern technology in order to comply with the stricter statutory environmental regulations if they are to continue to be used.

Diversity strategy

Although she obtained her captain’s license in 2018, and was also in command of an Hapag-Lloyd ship, her new navigation bridge is a room in Hapag-Lloyd’s Hamburg headquarters, with a view of a nearby lake, but not the ocean. Next week, she will welcome the newbuilt Singapore Express, a 23,664 teu sister ship of the Berlin Express, the fifth of this class operated by Hapag-Lloyd.
Silke Lehmköster’s appointment as fleet director is part of the Hapag-Lloyd diversity strategy. She joins Donya-Florence Amer, who was appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the shipping company on 01FEB22. And since 01MAY24, Stefanie Confurius has become Head of Global Human Resources. Three women in three important management positions: Hapag-Lloyd is becoming more female.
Shortly before introducing Mrs. Lehmköster to the media, the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd invited the press to join a Teams Call entitled: ‘The Red Sea Crisis – Will the Suez Canal become dispensable’?

Maritime supply chains have overcome the Houthi shock

The unanimous opinion of the experts was that the Suez Canal will not become superfluous, despite the onset of habituation effects. Their names: Alan Murphy, Founder and Head of Sea Intelligence, Singapore, Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO Hapag-Lloyd, Hamburg, and Thorsten Meincke, Board Member Air & Ocean Freight, DB Schenker, Hamburg.
The experts confirmed that, following a short period of uncertainties, the maritime supply chains between East Asia and Europe around Africa are now very stable, However, maritime transports on this trade lane have become more expensive due to higher fuel burn and additional sailing time of between one week and ten days. “The safety of our crews is a priority. Passing through the Red Sea and possibly being shelled by the Houthi regime is not an option for us,” emphasized Hapag-Lloyd CEO, Rolf Habben Jansen.

When will the Red Sea nightmare end?

As a side effect of the longer voyages, there is a shortage of containers because the rotation of steel boxes takes between 2 to 4 weeks longer compared to passages through the Suez Canal. DB Schenker executive, Thorsten Meincke, pointed out that India is suffering most because the trade lanes have shifted further south due to the circumnavigation of Africa, with container ships largely bypassing the Subcontinent.
Touching decarbonization, Rolf Habben Jansen said that the problem is the ongoing shortage of green fuels. DB Schenker executive, Meincke, announced that Schenker had just signed a first shipping contract with a major customer based on biofuel – “for the company’s entire transport volume”, he added without revealing his client’s name. Alan Murphy of Sea Intelligence believes that it is possible to charge higher rates for goods transported using biofuel. There are clear indicators that the market is ripe for this, he emphasized. Finally, when asked how long the Red Sea Crisis will last, opinions differed. While Murphy expects a longer-lasting phase, Meincke and Habben Jansen were somewhat more optimistic. “I believe that the Red Sea crisis will be over before December 2024,” said the Hapag-Lloyd boss, committing to a specific date.

Swiss WorldCargo faces change of leadership

Heiner Siegmund
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0
Swiss WorldCargo faces change of leadership

At Swiss WorldCargo, the cargo division of Swiss Air Lines, the search for a successor to Head of Cargo, Lorenzo Stoll, has begun. A few days ago, the executive announced his intention to leave the airline at the end of July 2024, after a total of 11 years with the company. He will take on a management position in the healthcare sector.

Lorenzo Stoll decided to take on a new role outside aviation – photo: CFG/hs

Innovative product structure

As Stoll will remain in charge of the Cargo division for another three months, it is a bit premature to pay tribute to his three years as Head of Cargo. However, one innovation that was introduced under his leadership and rolled out worldwide can already be highlighted: the modular product structure introduced on 01JUL23, providing cargo customers with more flexibility and tailored booking opportunities. The commodity-focused service offers the market a broad range of targeted solutions that cater to individual needs.
“From high-value goods to temperature-sensitive shipments and everything in between, we handle every commodity with expert care and precision. At Swiss WorldCargo, we extend the same level of quality and dedication to all types of shipments, ensuring excellence across our entire product portfolio. I’m very excited about our new offer structure, as I believe that it will bring added value to our customers thanks to the enhanced customization opportunities that come with it,” stated Mr. Stoll when introducing the flexible product structure in mid-2023.

Market expansion

This multiple-choice process of product decision-making will always be associated with Stoll’s name even after his planned departure from the company. This also applies to network expansions. Destinations such as Denver, Manchester, Bogotá, Washington D.C., Seoul, and Toronto were added to the flight schedule during his term, complementing the global network and opening up new markets for the carrier’s freight business.
Under Lorenzo’s reign, the division’s sustainability efforts were driven forward. This includes investments in SAF, a master lease agreement signed by Sonoco ThermoSafe and Swiss World Cargo for the deployment of a temp-controlled bulk shipping container, and the introduction of a lightweight active container. The latter is the result of a pact signed by the carrier’s cargo division, Swiss Airtainer and B.P.L. – Biotech & Pharma Logistics.

Treating the media as partners, not enemies

From a media standpoint, it should be mentioned that the executive is known for his open, collaborative, and professional approach to journalists. Internally, he is valued for his authentic and transparent style of communication and his effort to put Cargo in the spotlight, for instance at trade shows or industry events, a leading member of the Cargo team told CargoForwarder Global.
Especially at the beginning of his time as Head of Cargo, he benefited from the foundations laid by his predecessor, Ashwin Bhat, together with the entire staff. This proved to be particularly robust and flexible during the Covid pandemic. After the outbreak of Covid-19, the team hit the ground running, acted fast and got into crisis management mode in just a few weeks. In fact, cargo demand was high and the division’s response to market needs was fast.

Collective effort

The passenger seats of some of the B777-300ER passenger jetliners were removed so that hygienic materials, vaccines, face masks and other protective items could be accommodated in the cabins of the aircraft, in addition to the lower deck compartment. These flights were operated under unique and challenging circumstances. It was a collective effort by the entire staff of Swiss WorldCargo, even though the overall responsibility lay on the shoulders of helmsman, Ashwin Bhat. Ashwin’s legacy was driven forward when Lorenzo Stoll joined the Cargo division in 2021, leading it out of crisis mode step by step, and achieving the highest contribution ever to Swiss in the company’s records since its founding on 31MAR2002.

Dubai to build Airport of the Future by 2050

Brigitte Gledhill
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0
Dubai to build Airport of the Future by 2050
A vision of the aerotropolis. Image: Government of Dubai

It used to be countries outdoing each other by building the highest skyscrapers. Dubai has already done that, and the stakes have now been moved to having the largest airport. When you have the space (80% of the Emirate is desert), and the cash – AED 128 billion [EUR 32 billion], you’re already ahead of the game. Last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects’ designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. The Airport of the Future is set to become the largest in the world once it is fully operational. It will be able to handle an annual passenger capacity of 260 million, but more interesting for CargoForwarder Global readers is the fact that more than 12 million tons of cargo are the planned handling capability. The airport will eventually cover an area of 70 km², and is being designed with the projected growth for the next 40 years in mind. The first phase should be completed within the next 10 years.

Sheikh Mohammed said: “Al Maktoum International Airport will […] be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years. The airport will accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways. New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector. As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors. […] Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global center.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed added: “It is expected that the first phase of the project will be ready within a period of 10 years, with a capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers annually. […] While embracing sustainability, Al Maktoum International will strongly contribute to mitigate environmental emissions, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainably built environment. Its integrated approach is targeted to leverage local resources and climatic conditions achieving exemplary efficiency targets and sustainability goals. AMI aims to achieve a LEED Gold Certification.” There is, however, no mention of SAF in the official communication to date.

Happy 20th Birthday, Jettainer

Brigitte Gledhill
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0
Happy 20th Birthday, Jettainer
20 years of boxed success. Congratulations to Thomas Sonntag and his team – image: Jettainer

27APR04 saw the creation of a Joint Venture between Lufthansa Cargo and TrenStar Inc. Operations began near Frankfurt Airport, with a ULD fleet of roughly 27,000 units. Two years later, Jettainer became a fully owned Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary. Today, Jettainer’s ULD fleet has grown to a six-digit figure, and it manages containers for “some of the largest and most reputable airlines” out of over 500 international locations, and operating at 15 major hubs in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The latter saw the founding of Jettainer Americas Inc. in 2014 – a subsidiary serving customers in North, Central and South America, with teams in Dallas, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. In 2017, an expert team and a Temperature Control Competence Center were inaugurated in Abu Dhabi for the global management of temperature-controlled containers. Last year, the company restructured, placing dedicated General Managers in key locations across the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe and Asia, responsible for ensuring operational efficiency and customer relationship management. Innovations include in-house IT solutions, JettWare and JettApp – “the industry’s first ULD management app,” – which streamline ULD management for Jettainer and its customers. Sustainability, too, plays a large role: Jettainer designs ever-lighter ULDs (and pallet nets and Squair timber alternatives), significantly reducing their tare weight. The first lightweight container was launched in 2009. In 2019, ‘skypooling’ was launched – a ULD sharing platform to solve the problem of over- and understock.

Thomas Sonntag, CEO of Jettainer, said: “Over the past two decades, Jettainer has transformed from a modest operator into a leader in the industry, we extend our gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their unwavering support and dedication. This milestone underscores the exceptional quality of our services and the innovative strength of our team. […] We selectively focus on digitalization that has a tangible impact, ensuring that they deliver real value to our customers. [Innovations such as] tracking sensors that indicate that Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) might only be a bridging technology. APIs are one solution to smartly work with data to enhance service value and operational efficiency. We already have several interfaces in operation with our customers and partners. Adopting the IATA ONE Record standard for all areas of ULD management is a pivotal next step that Jettainer is preparing to undertake. We remain committed to further shaping the future of air transport logistics with our forward-thinking solutions.”

Kales seeks CEIV Pharma certification

Heiner Siegmund
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0
Kales seeks CEIV Pharma certification
Being the first GSSA to be CEIV Pharma certified makes Kales’ Chief Sebastiaan Scholte feel proud – photo: CFG/hs

Once certified, Kales will be the first GSSA worldwide to achieve this special recognition by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) following a two-year phase in which all pharma processes are monitored, documented, and thoroughly checked.  

The CEIV Pharma program is a trusted mark of quality and excellence in the handling of time and temperature critical pharmaceuticals, meanwhile achieved by many companies around the globe, including airlines, airports, ground handling service providers and freight forwarders. It is proof that the certified companies maintain product integrity.

“We are pleased to welcome Kales Airline Services on being the first General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) to embark on the CEIV Pharma certification,” states IATA in a release.

“GSSA play an important role in representing airlines mainly in terms to commercialize air freight capacity, to supervise complex local operations and administration services. Kales’ commitment to improving quality and services across their operations through CEIV Pharma sets a positive example for the industry and demonstrates their strong commitment to excellence. We look forward to supporting Kales as they start their journey towards achieving CEIV Pharma Certification.” Sebastiaan Scholte, CEO Kales Airline Services replied: “I am proud that we will be the first GSSA to be CEIV Pharma certified. GSSA’s play a very crucial role in the air cargo supply chain. We are very pleased to have this important certification for pharmaceutical shipments to even better serve our airline, forwarding and shipper’s customers.”

Singapore Airlines joins WebCargo

Brigitte Gledhill
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0
Singapore Airlines joins WebCargo
Boeing 777-300ER of Singapore Airlines  –  courtesy: SIA

Singapore Airlines is that latest airline to publish its cargo capacity on WebCargo by Freightos, thus expanding booking options in and across Asia and WebCargo’s Asian footprint at the same time. Asia is a fast-growing market. WebCargo saw more than twice as many bookings from Asia origins between Q4 2022 and Q4 2023, and more and more users are coming to the platform as digitalization incases in the region. With a significant carrier such as Singapore Airlines, this trend will accelerate. Singapore Airlines operates a fleet of seven Boeing 747-400F freighters and more than 190 Singapore Airlines and Scoot passenger aircraft. Over 120 destinations are on offer at real-time rates for real-time air cargo bookings. Top Asia-Pacific destinations are Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Marvin Tan, Senior Vice President Cargo, Singapore Airlines, commented: “Singapore Airlines’ partnership with WebCargo expands our reach to new markets, and provides our customers with a seamless user experience when they search, book, and track their shipments in real time. This enables us to better serve our customers by responding even more swiftly to their evolving needs.”

Manel Galindo, Chief Revenue Officer of Freightos, state: “We’re thrilled to work with Singapore Airlines.  Their commitment to digital innovation aligns perfectly with WebCargo’s mission to provide seamless and efficient booking solutions for the air cargo industry and allows us to double down on the recent surge in bookings from Asia. This collaboration will enhance the booking experience for thousands of freight forwarders and will ultimately make world trade smoother.”

GW goes Greenland Project

Brigitte Gledhill
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0
GW goes Greenland Project
Still miles to go – image: Gebrüder Weiss

It is not the first time that Gebrüder Weiss supports an out-of-this-world type project. There have been others such as the Mars Analog Mission AMADEE-24 of the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) where Gebrüder Weiss transported equipment to Armenia, for example. This time around, it is “The Greenland Project” climate expedition, and Gebrüder Weiss is poised to keep interested parties updated via its social media channels over the coming months. The logistics package envisages Gebrüder Weiss transporting the equipment for a month-long scientific expedition in Greenland, aimed at learning new insights as to why the Greenland glacier is melting. “The results of the expedition, which will be analyzed in more detail at the University of Sunshine Coast in Australia, hold global significance. They will be shared with researchers from all over the world, contributing to our collective understanding of climate change. The aim of the month-long expedition is to gain valuable insights into the connections between the temperature fluctuations in Greenland in recent decades and the further effects on the global climate,” the release states. As one of the world’s largest ice regions, Greenland is the obvious favorite when it comes to researching climate change. Should kick-off in Croydon on 30APR24. Two scientists, a medical doctor, and a photographer are lined up for the funeral.  The team will cover a around 600 kilometers (373 miles) on skis, each with a sled in tow.

Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss, said: “As one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, we also see it as our duty to support selected research initiatives such as the Greenland Project. The purpose of the expedition is to gain insights into climate change that will help us make smart decisions for our future.”

Niklas Marc Heinecke, photographer, and co-founder of ‘The Greenland Project,’, stressed: “As our research essentially focuses on the climate and glacier melt, we feel it is important for it to be as climate neutral as possible. Conducting an expedition on foot into this fragile ecosystem enables the measurements to be taken in a much more environmentally friendly way than would be possible by helicopter, and with a greater degree of accuracy than would be possible by satellite. We can rely on dependable equipment in this inhospitable environment thanks to the support of Gebrüder Weiss.”

ECS Group to benefit from Rotate’s live capacity data

Brigitte Gledhill
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0
ECS Group to benefit from Rotate’s live capacity data
A full picture at a glance. Image: Rotate

ECS Group has opted for Rotate’s Live Capacity data product to ensure it benefits fully from its strategic growth potential, and that it maintains its position as leading GSSA. “Rotate’s Live Capacity provides real-time data on market trends and capacity fluctuations enabling quick adaptation to changing conditions in a highly competitive air cargo market,” the release explains. The real-time capacity data and market insights are fed into ECS Group’s own in-house business intelligence system, Apollo. The result is useful data the enables users to spot new interline partnerships, optimize airline customers’ networks, and react quickly to market changes dynamics in terms of pricing strategy.

Strategic Growth and Technological Innovation were the two main objectives behind ECS Group’s decision to partner with Rotate, and Rotate delivers the insights to achieve these. For example, it provides: real-time capacity monitoring, dynamic route optimization for freighters, an interactive dashboard, and alerts and notifications regarding capacity changes. ECS Group can use the information to capitalize on emerging opportunities, adjust pricing strategies, and proactively mitigate risks.

Cédric Millet, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer of ECS Group, underlined: “When tendering for digital innovation, only the best pass the test. In Rotate, we simply found the best-in-class capacity data product on the market. Real-time data is crucial for our Market Intelligence System as it enables responsiveness to market changes. Our teams can thus take better, proactive, and informed decisions in terms of pricing or interline opportunities, for example, leading to improved revenue optimization of the capacity we manage on behalf of our airline customers. And for ECS, that ultimately results in higher customer satisfaction and long-term business growth.”

Ryan Keyrouse, Chief Executive Officer of Rotate, stated: “The air cargo industry is fast-moving and the need for up-to-date information in today’s market is critical. High-quality and real-time insights into every market in the world, allow ECS to respond quickly to changing market conditions. Our partnership with ECS Group, with its highly innovative mindset and clear digitalization strategy, will allow us to further improve our products and meet the needs of the industry. We have a strong focus on integration and user adoption and are therefore working with ECS users to construct use-cases based on real-time data that will help them with their daily decisions. We look forward to building a long-term and valuable partnership with ECS.”

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