AA Cargo boosts New York's freight forwarding network

AA Cargo, the freight division of American Airlines, is planning on expanding its international flight schedule form New York City. The freight forwarder recently announced that there will be a new Boeing 777-300ER flying goods from JFK to London Heathrow Airport this year.

Image c/o azfreight.com

"JFK is not only the international gateway to Europe, but it also is the hub that connects Asia to South America and the West Coast to Europe and Latin America. Our network through New York allows us to move perishable daily from the Deep South to Japan and also hightech shipments from Asia to Brazil", said Cristina Castro of AA Cargo. 

The company currently moves over 450,000kg of air freight through its depot at JFK Airport where it also runs a 135,000-square-foot warehousing facility. Rich Burkhardt, manager of AA Cargo operations at JFK, considers the facility's ambient room to be a huge asset when handling temperature-sensitive goods.

"Expedite TC Passive supports ambient temperature control using cool rooms, expedited handling processes and high-visibility monitoring to ensure cargo is handling within desired temperature ranges."

This storage feature will also be available to future customers of AA cargo, i.e. to store goods before they are being sent out on the freight forwarder's new flight connection.

Source: Air Cargo Week

US-Freight Forwarder to acquire Phoenix International for $635 million

Freight forwarder, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., has announced plans to acquire Phoenix International for approximately $635 million. 

In 1979, businessman, Bill McInerney, founded the Minneapolis-based company which has since been dealing with international air freight and sea freight shipments. 

“We view this as a nice acquisition that allows the company to further diversify away from the truck brokerage business without straining, at a time when high costs are hurting the trucking industry”, said John Barnes, RBC Capital Markets analyst.

Moreover, C.H. Robinson hopes that their latest business deal will allow them to play a pivotal role in the international freight forwarding industry offering trucking, sea and air freight services. It will pay Phoenix a staggering $571.5 million in cash as well as $63.5 million in new stock amounting to a total sum of $635 million, confirmed Reuters.com.

Phoenix currently employs more then 2,000 people in its 74 offices.

Source: Reuters.com

Air Cargo Germany branches out to Asia and South America

Starting next month, Air Cargo Germany is going to continue with its weekly service to Beijing Capital International Airport in China. 

Image c/o ACW

The air cargo company already transports goods to Shanghai – a service which will soon by complemented with three weekly flights to Beijing.

In order to prepare itself for the expansion of its flight routes, Air Cargo Germany is going to acquire two Boeing 747-400 extended-range freighters which will handle a maximum payload of 120 tonnes.

Plans to branch out to Mexico City, Chicago as well as to Moscow and Frankfurt are also in the pipeline as CEO Michael Boc of ACG confirmed:

“South America is standing on our agenda, too, but will be materialised only in the near future. (…) We’ve signed an interline agreement with ABC for enabling easy transfers of shipments in Moscow and Frankfurt.”

Source: aircargoworld.com

UPS introduces new transit times for freight services to Eastern Canada

Soon, shipments to Eastern Canada will arrive on the next working day. The freight forwarder, UPS, has rollout new transit times for shipments from and to Atlantic Canada, enabling a increased flow of goods.

Image c/o njnnetwork.com

This will not only be available for domestic and international freight but also for parcel deliveries to Eastern Canada. In addition to that, the UPS Express Early AM service will have its delivery times moved form 9am to 8.30am whilst Express and Express Saver will aim to deliver consignments until 10.30am or noon.

“By Bringing state-of-the art technology and our superior global supply chain network to as many communities as possible in Atlantic Canada, we are making it easier for local entrepreneurs and businesses to grow regionally, nationally and globally”, explained Nicolas Dorget, vice president of marketing, UPS Canada.

Beyond that, UPS is also considering Saturday parcel deliveries to certain destinations such as Halifax, Moncton and St John’s.

Source: UPS

Freight train derailment in Columbus, Ohio leaves residents in shock

This morning around 2am, a freight train run by Norfolk Southern, derailed and burned out in Columbus, Ohio. Nearby living residents had to be evacuated after 10 of the 98 train cars derailed and three ruptured.

The train was carrying ethanol and biofuel, which was later let out by the fire brigade, said Dave Whiting, Columbus Assistant and Fire Chief. The train disaster left two people injured who later drove themselves to hospital. Whiting ensured that they “haven’t had to put anybody in harm’s way”.

Resident Johnnie Rouse described the event as if “the sun had fallen or something. My daughter said ‘Mama, Mama, get up, get up, get up, a train’s exploding… you’ve got to get out.” Witnesses reported that the flames could be seen from miles away.

Norfolk Southern spokesman Dave Pidgeon said that the freight train was originally bound for North Carolina and coming in from Chicago. So far the cause of the derailment remains unknown but an investigation has been launched.

Source: Reuters, YouTube & Daily Mail

FedEx Express to add 19 Boeing 767s to its air freight fleet

Image c/o aviationnews.eu

FedEx Express, one of the world largest air freight services providers, is planning on adding 19 B767-300 aircraft, sold by The Boeing Company, to its fleet. This way the company aims to increase its efficiency levels and technology.

“FedEx Express is positioning itself for more profitable growth by modernizing its aircraft fleet and better aligning its U.S. domestic air network to match current and anticipated shipment volumes”, said David J Bronczek, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Express.

Two out of four Boeing 777s will be converted to 767s in 2016, the rest in the following year. The air freight services company currently operates 19 long-range Boing 777s freighters but may increase the fleet to a total of 24 aircraft.

President and CEO Ray Conner explained the decision to purchase further 767s as follows: “FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company. This order of additional 767 Freighters by FedEx reinforces the value of the airplane’s capabilities in the market today and tomorrow.” 

Apart from improvements in shipment volumes, FedEx Express also hopes that its latest purchase will help to reduce its operating cost by 20 percent whilst increasing its fuel efficiency by at least 30 percent.

Source: FedEx Express

Excess Baggage Shipping – UK Services and Packaging Tips

Summer is here and many of us are making last minute arrangements to book time off. If you do not want to pay horrendously high luggage surcharges at the airport, excess baggage shipping can be a great alternative to save you money.

DHL Express Luggage Shipping

Whether you are travelling within the UK, or are going overseas, you can ship your luggage ahead using DHL Express’ excess luggage service.

Packaging and Maximum Weight

• Please remember to solely use hard protective cases when shipping excess luggage.
• In order for your luggage to be shipped via services such as DHL Express, the suitcases will be allowed a total weight of 70kg.
• It is not necessary to wrap individual suitcases in packaging paper. Yet, it is important to ensure that your labels are attached to the top of each suitcase.

Tracking and Liability

Independent freight forwarders such as Transglobal Express offer online tracking via which you can follow up on the latest status of your shipment. You will be asked to enter your reference / tracking number in the required field and click “track a shipment”.

For further information and instant, free quotes for your excess baggage shipment, please visit TransglobalExpress.co.uk.

DHL Global Forwarding appoints new management staff for Asia Pacific

The Asia-Pacific operating division of DHL Global Forwarding is going to extend its management team by taking on board Lawrence Lee as their new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Head of Marketing and Sales, Tim Martin.

Lawrence Lee - IT

With a multitude of experiences across the IT sector, Lawrence Lee left his previous position at Walmart Global Sourcing to enter a new role at DHL Global Forwarding. Lee, who maintains an impressive track record of leading IT teams through transformation processes, is going to be responsible for the implementation of DHL’s new IT agenda, having customer-focussed services and cost efficiency at its core.

Tim Martin - Marketing & Sales

Tim Martin, former Vice President of Sales Strategy and Development at DHL Express in Bonn, Germany will be in charge of all sales activity management across 18 international destinations. With 20 years of experience international freight forwarding and courier services as well as having worked across the globe, Martin is widely considered to be an expert in the field of international sales management.   

Both will join the Asia Pacific board and work as part of the DHL Global Forwarding Asia-Pacific operating division.  

Sources: Analytica, Logisticsweek (images)

IMT facility to replace 1.2 million trucks with sea freight services

Soon Australia will be able to pride itself with, yet, another great sea freight facility, the Morebank Intermodal Terminal (IMT). In 2017 the IMT is said to receive its first ocean freight shipments.

Not only is the new facility going to cope with approximately 1 million containers per annum, but it also going to incorporate environmental safety and sustainability in its operations. Once up and running the IMT sea freight terminal is supposed to replace 1.2 million trucks.

Those trucks usually transport freight on Sydney’s roads. However, they are going to be replaced with the IMT’s new freight forwarding and connected rail services. In fact, last mentioned will transport the goods directly to the terminal.

By the end of 2014, the School of Military Engineering (SME) will be located to a new facility near Holsworthy Barracks in order to make room for the Morebank Intermodal Terminal.

Any interested freight forwarders, logistics groups or construction companies are invited to join the next IMT meeting on 21^st May. (For further information, please contact Rebecca Drescher-Boulos – rdrescherkpmg.com.au.)

Source: handyshippingguide.com / finance.gov.au

FedEx Freight Forwarding expands network in Turkey

Turkey’s enormous potential for the freight forwarding market has not been left unnoticed. In fact, FedEx was one of the first major courier companies to invest in the Eurasian state.

 

In May 2011, FedEx Trade Networks opened its first offices in Istanbul. Today, the express parcel and freight forwarding company owns two additional branches in Ankara and Izmir. 

With an economy expansion of 8.5 percent last year and an annual foreign trade volume of $375 billion, Turkey is considered to be the fastest growing economy in Europe. 

When it comes to sending parcels to Turkey, the transport by sea is one the most popular options making up 55 percent of Turkey’s foreign trade volume. An additional 25 percent are transported by road. 

FedEx Freight Forwarding now plans on increasing its volume by targeting specific sectors including automotive, technology and textiles.

Source: Analytica, FedEx

DHL opens new freight and logistics centre in Milan

DHL Global Forwarding, the international ocean and air freight specialist, recently announced the opening of its new logistics centre in Milan. The development is supposed to unite DHL’s 730 weekly road, air and ocean freight movements. Moreover, the international freight forwarder aims at optimising its service packages for life sciences, the fashion and food industry.

Image c/o DHL

The new DHL Milan facility encompasses a 83,000 m² territory and 26,000 m² of warehouse space offering 10,000 m² of office space.

Pioneering Technology

One of the highlights of the 40 million Euro investment is a pioneering temperature-controlled cell for cross-docking Life Sciences products and separate area for hazardous goods. But this is not the last of the many surprises as Thomas Nieszner, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa, reports:

“The new automated vertical storage system for hanging clothes is designed to meet the needs of the Fashion industry. For the Food and Life Sciences sector, we have provided a refrigeration system meeting international standards to conserve their highly sensitive products.”

Environmental Protection

Each year DHL Global Forwarding handles ocean freight of around 110,000 m³ LCL and 40,000 Tons of air freight at DHL Milan. This compares to one minute of water flow of the Niagara Falls. Beyond that, the global freight forwarder focuses on environmental protection as Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Freight, confirms:

“We reach an estimated reduction of facility and transport CO2 emissions of 18 per cent at the new site. 13 per cent of which can be tracked back to an improved road network and a reduction of both transit time and the average fuel consumption.”

With its state-of-the-art technology, DHL Freight hopes soon to be able to provide its Italian customers with best-in-class solutions.

Source: DHL

New Office Openings for FedEx Trade Networks

Yesterday, the freight forwarder, FedEx Trade Networks, announced this is going to open three new U.S. offices in Phoenix (Arizona), St Louis (Missouri) and Milwaukee (Wisconsin).

The new FedEx offices are a result of the company’s global plans to upgrade and expand its facilities in order to respond to the demands of its growing customer base. All FedEx Trade Networks clients will benefit from a full suite of services including air and ocean freight forwarding as well as customs brokerage solutions.

Andy Henry, vice president of U.S. Operations for FedEx Trade Networks, said that “opening additional U.S. offices is also a key component of our ongoing global expansion. Over the few years we have  established operations in some of world’s most significant freight forwarding markets to support our growing customer base.”

Over the the last four years, the freight forwarder opened 50 new international offices in various locations such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. 

Source: FedEx