DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight division within Deutsche Post DHL, has signed an agreement with Airbus to transport aircraft components for the single aisle aircraft family of the European plane maker from its Hamburg plant to its upcoming assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. DHL will provide a multimodal transport solution, including air, ocean, and road services commencing in 2015. CargoForwarder Global spoke with Volker Oesau, CEO Middle Europe, DHL Global Forwarding, about the upcoming deal.
Q: Volker, your DHL-GF has just signed an agreement with Airbus to transport aircraft components from the manufacturer's Hamburg plant to Mobile, Alabama. Which yearly volumes
are you expecting?
A: 80,000 tons. In total components for 40 aircrafts will be transported, with a ramp-up phase in 2015 and 2016. Cargo consists of break bulk, containerized cargo and
airfreights.
Q: DHL GF speaks of a combination of air, sea and road transport from Hamburg to Mobile. Could you specify the different parts of the chain and describe the particular role air
freight will play? Further it would be interesting to know, which airline you will cooperate with.
A: DHL Global Forwarding will be responsible for the end-to-end solution for transporting the parts from the factory in Hamburg to the new factory in Alabama. These
door-to-door services will be conducted by air, sea transport as well as road transport for the pre- and on-carriage. Airfreight will be the essential part, especially for the transportation of
dangerous goods.
Q: Is the Airbus agreement an exclusive deal or are other logistics firms involved in these Hamburg to Mobile transports?
A: DHL Global Forwarding is the contractual party and will conduct the transports in cooperation with its well-chosen sub-suppliers.
Q: Which delivery times did you guarantee Airbus to get the components from Hamburg to the aircraft producer's Mobile plant?
A: Sorry but I cannot give you further details on this.
Q: The service starts at the beginning of next year. What has to be done from your side to prevent any hiccups or disruptions?
A: A well planned approach to the implantation is of great importance. Both, Airbus and DHL will put a lot of resources into the transport and project planning at the
earliest stage in order to foresee any upcoming issues, which could result in any disruptions.
Thank you for this interview.
Heiner Siegmund
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