DHL Express Panama receives grade A security certification

The DHL Express hub in Panama recently became the 200^th facility in the world to get ‘A’-security-verified by TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association).

Image c/o DHL

Since 1997 TAPA’s leading security professionals from the high value and risk product sector worked on streamlining security guidelines which address handling processes and procedures as well as warehousing and transportation standards. 

“Currently, every one of our major global Hubs ad Gateways are all TAPA ‘A’ certified. In addition to our Panama Hub, we recently achieve certification of our new North Asia Hub at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China", announced Adrian Whelan, Senior Vice President an Head of Global Customs at Security at DHL Express at a recent press conference.

20 DHL Express facilities in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and other Americas countries have been TAPA-certified since 2010.

“The TAPA FSR is considered the benchmark security standard that is recognized around the globe. DHL’s multiple FSR certifications, across a variety of markets, highlight their strong global commitment to supply chain security”, said David Wit, Chair at TAPA Americas.

Source: DHL

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

FedEx to take over Brazilian freight forwarder Rapidão Cometa

FedEx recently announced new expansion plans for the Brazilian market. In an effort to secure its position in the South American logistics industry and increase its profitable growth, FedEx is going to acquire the freight forwarder, Rapidão Cometa Logistica e Transportes, S.A. 

Having been founded about 70 years ago Rapidão Cometa is considered to be one of the largest freight forwarding

and logistics solutions providers in Brazil today. The company has 17,000 clients, 9,000 team members and handles approximately 12,000 parcel deliveries per year. 

With the help of Rapidão Cometa, FedEx hopes to expand its service portfolio in Brazil as well as to offer all of its international freight and courier services to its latest addition as soon as the purchase was complete.

“Brazil is a market with tremendous growth potential – both in the overall economy, as well as in the logistics sector. The acquisition of Rapidão Cometa – one of the largest logistics solutions providers in Brazil – is in line with our long-term strategy to grow our Latin American business and better service our customers seeking to enter or expand their businesses in the Brazilian market”, stated Juan N. Cento, president of FedEx Express Latin America and Caribbean.

Both companies have been doing business together since 2011. The acquisition of Rapidão Cometa will enable FedEx to offer a more extensive service range including air express & freight, domestic ground and supply chain services. 

The transaction is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year. 

Source: FedEx