Qatar Airways Cargo has re-launched its Mail productwhich offers a comprehensive suite of customisable services designed for both traditional and hybrid postal modes – Express Mail, Priority Mail, Standard Mail and Empty Mail Receptacles. The Mail product meets the stringent regulatory standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). One of the enhancements for the product includes 100% EDI (electronic data interchange) that is rolled out at over 110 stations, with all stations equipped with handheld android scanners. Traditionally serving one customer per origin based on their unique post office identification (IMPC) code, the carrier’s Mail product can now cater to the requirements of targeted agents across the network. This allows Qatar Airways Cargo to accept mail shipments from multiple customers from the same origin, regardless of the IMPC code used. The award-winning cargo carrier also has specialised support teams in place with experience in mail allocations, pricing policies, sales and account management who ensure privacy, efficiency, safety, and security of all mail shipments. The carrier’s customers are also able to perform real-time tracking of their consignments right from the start until the end. Miguel Rodriguez Moreno, Head of Cargo Products at Qatar Airways said, “Our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in airfreight services is at the heart of this new Mail product. With our extensive global network spanning over 160 destinations including more than 70 freighter destinations, our aim is to provide a comprehensive solution. We are also fully prepared to facilitate paper-free initiatives for Postal Authorities when electronic CN/CP documents are available. Combined with hassle-free billing and reconciliation through IATA PASS and PARIS, as well as swift ramp transfers in …

Logi-Sys by Softlink Global, an integrated supply chain platform for seamless logistics management, has introduced a data analytics tool LogiBRAIN, designed specifically for the freight forwarding sector. LogiBRAIN, a customizable data analytics and reporting tool that is available as a value-added service to all Logi-Sys users, optimizing decision-making processes and fostering a data-driven organizational culture. How LogiBRAIN Works – Similar to other data analytics tools, LogiBRAIN extracts granular insights from the vast data that companies hold, giving decision-makers a comprehensive view of their business from Sales, Operational, and Financial perspectives. Enlisted are its features: 1. Real-Time Data Updation Real-time data updation in LogiBRAIN means that decisions are accurate, and taken in real time 2. Overview Dashboard Standardized report can be viewed via the Overview Dashboard that covers Monthly Performance, Branch Performance, Performance by LOB, Trade Lane, and more such key metrics 3. Advanced Filters These allow users to slice and dice the data by Transport Type, Transaction Type, Currency, Country, Branches, Time Periods, and more, letting them analyze any data point of interest with greater focus and clarity 4. Drill-Down Functionality ‘Click-and-dig’ drill down capabilities help decision-makers arrive at the root cause of any event of concern, speeding up the remediation processes 5. Customizable Reports Softlink Global is open to creating customized reports on user request Transforming Logistics Management: Benefits of LogiBRAIN 1. Enhanced Decision-making LogiBRAIN’s deep insights provide logistics professionals with a deeper understanding of their operations. This empowers them to make informed decisions based on real-time data and predictions, ensuring agility and adaptability in a rapidly changing market. 2. Optimized Routes and Operations With LogiBRAIN, businesses can optimize their routes, minimize delays, and reduce transportation costs by considering …

Qatar Airways Cargo commenced freighter operations to Warsaw, Poland, w.e.f October 1, 2023. Operating once a week to the capital of Poland, Qatar Airways Cargo offers 100 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity on its dedicated freighter, each way, says an official release. “Warsaw is currently the only station served by the airline in Poland with ten weekly passenger services. The addition of a dedicated freighter service from Warsaw will increase the total weekly cargo capacity to more than 200 tonnes. With the launch of freighters, businesses in Poland benefit from direct main deck freighter capacity for their imports and exports. The majority of the imports and exports consist of general cargo and perishables.” Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP, Cargo Sales and Network Planning, Qatar Airways Cargo says, “Qatar Airways Cargo has been serving Eastern Europe for many years, and is very pleased to announce freighters to Warsaw which will complement the passenger flights to this important city. The launch of this service will provide consistent and reliable freighter operations between Poland and Qatar.” In addition to Warsaw, Qatar Airways Cargo provides structural cargo capacity to and from Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia, the release added.

DP World has unveiled the new ‘Beyond Boundaries’ initiative, in partnership with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and the ICC, aimed at driving the growth of cricket around the world. This global mission will see DP World use its end-to-end network and logistics capabilities to distribute fifty repurposed shipping containers to grassroots cricket clubs around the world, each one kitted out with essential equipment. The first container was unveiled by new DP World Global Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar at NSCI, Mumbai. The first DP World container along with 40 cricket kits will be placed at the Chikhalikar Sports Club in Palghar, Maharashtra while another 210 kits will be presented to young cricketers from academies like Achrekar Cricket Academy, and Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy, to name a few. Included within each of the containers is 250 bespoke kits: each made up of a cricket bat, helmet, gloves and pads. Each container is multipurpose, also serving as a pavilion which includes an in-built scoreboard, sun protection and seating.

Wiremind is developing product enhancements that will bring artificial intelligence (AI) to cargo products along with direct contact with the user. Two use cases have been under scrutiny since this summer with a view to incorporate the capabilities of large language models into CARGOSTACK in 2024, says an official release. “The first use case will streamline the quotation management process for airline sales teams by directly populating key criteria from a forwarder’s written quotation request into CARGOSTACK’s quotation module. “The second use case will enhance CARGOSTACK’s recently released rules engine, which enables cargo teams to define custom rules for managing flights at scale across a range of parameters and conditions. While this currently requires users to write a short script within the application to define their custom rule, Wiremind is exploring the use of AI to assist users further by allowing them to describe their desired rule in written text, which AI will translate into the relevant script, for the user to subsequently validate, test and activate.”

In an agreement, Hindustan Zinc, has partnered with GreenLine Mobility Solutions to deploy GreenLine’s LNG-powered fleet in its supply chain and transportation operations. LNG-powered vehicles significantly reduce emissions compared to diesel and align perfectly with the sustainability goals of both organisations. This initiative will not only reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation but also set new industry standards for green logistics. GreenLine’s LNG-powered trucks, manufactured by Blue Energy Motors, reduce toxic emission significantly compared to diesel — CO2 by up to 30 per cent, SOx by up to 100 per cent, NOx by up to 59 per cent, Particulate Matter by up to 91 per cent and CO by up to 70 per cent. GreenLine has collaborated with multiple organisations to create India’s first & only integrated green logistics ecosystems to make LNG trucking a reality in India, paving the way for widespread adoption of LNG fuelled long haul trucks by showcasing its immense advantages for corporates.

For cross border trade, there is an encouraging trend towards cooperation, as seen by the expansion of India’s trade relations with neighbouring countries and global markets, including the EU, America, the Middle East, etc, says Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Cargo Terminal Management India. Such cooperation is essential for overcoming obstacles and prioritising trade facilitation, which promotes a more seamless movement of goods across different forms of transportation. A multi-pronged strategy is needed to overcome the obstacles which restrict smooth cross border trade, including relaxing port limitations, streamlining customs procedures, and creating multimodal freight hubs. Key initiatives such as the MVA (Motor Vehicle Agreement) between BBIN countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) that was created ‘for the regulation of passenger, personal, and cargo vehicular traffic to boost economic growth in the region are yet to be completely implemented, he adds.

Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship of Aditya Birla Group and an industry leader in aluminium and copper, recently opened its warehouse at Logistics Park India Private Limited, Nagpur. Hindalco’s service partner is Logistics Park India Private Limited, a leading third-party logistics service provider in India that offers integrated warehousing and logistics solutions. Present at the opening ceremony on behalf of Hindalco were Jagdish Mohan, Vice President – Packaging, Harish Talreja – Unit Head of Mouda Plant, Indranil Roychowdhury, Amol Thakre and Sumit Sharma. Dr Viren Thakkar, CMD of Logistics Park India Private Limited was also present. Started in 1993, Logistics Park India Private Limited has become the leading third-party service provider in Central India. With more than 275 awards and accolades, the company has set milestones of quality services. Logistics Park has been serving more than 50 national and multinational companies in FMCG, pharmaceuticals, industrial, FMCD and automotive sectors. With 2.35 million square feet of operational warehouses, Logistics Park India Private Limited enjoys the number one position in the region.

Silk Way West Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter as part of its plan to modernise its fleet and increase its capacity for global operations. The freighter is the first of an order for five production 777Fs made by the cargo airline in April 2021. The following four aircraft are due to be delivered gradually until 2027. The 777F arrived at Silk Way’s Baku-based hub airport, Heydar Aliyev International today (October 3). Until now, the airline has operated with Boeing 747F aircraft. At present, it operates five 747-8Fs and seven 747-400Fs. “Delivery of this aircraft marks a defining moment in our strategic plan to make Silk Way West Airlines greener, more fuel efficient, and better positioned for growth from conception to reality,” said Fadi Nahas, vice president of Silk Way West Airlines, Americas.

Finally, International Air Transport Association (IATA) has delivered some positive news for the global airfreight industry with new data that shows year-on-year air cargo demand grew for the first time in 19 months, but it said the trajectory of global trade is a concern. As part of its air cargo market analysis for August, the industry body noted that demand, measured in global cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs) increased by 1.5% year on year (YoY) in August, the first annual growth since February 2022. However, industry CTKs remained 1.3% lower than their pre-pandemic level in 2019. Meanwhile, air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was up 12.2% year on year and 3.9% higher than 2019 levels. “This was largely related to belly capacity which rose 30% year-on-year as airlines ramped-up operations to meet peak-northern summer travel season demand,” said IATA. Economic challenges, specifically the “sustained annual contraction of trade” remain a concern for the industry, pointed out IATA. The industry body added that inflation in the US continued to increase for the second month in a row, after 13 months of decline. And Although China’s CPI growth reverted to positive from the July level, the country recorded negative PPI in August for the 16th consecutive month.