Adani Ports undercuts Colombo to boost hub prospects for Vizhinjam Port
High port tariffs that have long proved to be a deterrent for container lines to open more direct calls on the Indian coast are becoming more competitive or cheaper. Buoyed by the initial carrier interest in making trial calls, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has announced significantly attractive service rates at its new […]
CMA CGM applies port congestion surcharge in Gambia
Due to the current congestion in Banjul, Gambia, French container carrier CMA CGM has announced a Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS). The surcharge will take effect on 15 August 2024 and 1 September 2024 for shipments from the United States and Latin American countries. The PCS will apply to cargo destined for Gambia. The surcharge will […]
SeaLead appoints new Managing Director for the United States
UAE-based global shipping line SeaLead has announced the appointment of Mark Lee as Managing Director of SeaLead USA amid ongoing growth and expansion in the region. Mark Lee, who brings more than 28 years of experience in the shipping industry, including more than a decade in the US market will replace Cas Pouderoyen, who has […]
DHL records lower earnings, remains “prepared for when trade regains momentum”
Germany-based global logistics company DHL Group reported revenue of €20.6 billion (US$22.6 billion) and operating profit (EBIT) of €1.35 billion (US$1.48 billion) in the second quarter of the year. Melanie Kreis, Chief Financial Officer of DHL Group, commented, “Air and ocean freight volumes further improved in the second quarter from a low starting level. However, […]
New UK government shines spotlight on aviation
The new government came into power one month ago and it is encouraging that several initiatives have already been announced to support the aviation sector. Airfreight has a critical role to play in boosting economic growth, already contributing £230m of the £185bn logistics businesses add in value to the UK economy. Recent announcements are a […]
Automotive: Driving air cargo success
For air cargo carriers and forwarders who handle automotive logistics alike, there is plenty of business to be done in this specialised segment of the airfreight sector, but there are also challenges to be overcome. Lufthansa Cargo, part of Germany’s national flag-carrier airline group, is one of the carriers that transports all types of automotive […]
Changing places
Guillaume Halleux has a unique overview of the air cargo market having worked across various sectors. Now he is applying that experience at Swissport. Last year Guillaume Halleux left his role heading up the cargo team at Qatar Airways to join ground handler Swissport as chief commercial officer. The move means he now has a […]
Putzger Perspective: Smaller freighters have fallen out of fashion
Smaller freighters are dropping out of the skies. FedEx is retiring about one fifth of its 757 freighter fleet. Next year Atlas Air will end flying eight 737 cargo planes for Amazon – one year ahead of their contract expiry. The same goes for 17 B767Fs that Atlas is currently operating for Amazon’s regional network. […]
Preserving the US de minimis threshold to foster global trade
The de minimis threshold, a key facilitator of global trade, has been instrumental in encouraging the seamless movement of goods into the US. Its increase, though perhaps unexpected, has sparked a surge in e-commerce, leading to unprecedented cargo volumes. This underscores the need to preserve the de minimis threshold and ensure adequate funding for US […]
FAA gives green light to drone flights without visual observers in common airspace
In what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says is a first for US aviation, it has authorised commercial drone flying without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. Authorisations have been granted to Zipline International and Wing Aviation to allow them to deliver packages while keeping their drones safely separated using unmanned aircraft system traffic […]