SHORT SHOTS

Cool Chain looks to Last Mile Awareness
The Netherlands-based Cool Chain Association (CCA), which is a non profit organisation that strives to improve the value of the temperature sensitive supply chain, is working on what they term as a Last Mile Awareness data sharing platform This platform they intend to present to members at the 7th CCA Pharma and Biosciences Event to be held in Paris in September of this year.
This move entails the CCA joining up with leaders from all parts of the supply chain, along with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and those bringing innovative new solutions. These may also include studying the use of drones as a future means of delivering temperature-sensitive goods.
Stavros Evangelakakis, Head of Global Healthcare at Cargolux and Chairman of the CCA makes point of the fact that although temperature-sensitive shipments travel thousands of miles, it’s often that on the last mile they are not treated properly. He stated that: “Without jeopardizing what has been done prior to the shipment arriving at the final leg of its journey, we need to better investigate ways to collaborate and embrace innovative ideas to make sure we are working with our stakeholders to be part of the solution.“

January shows air cargo volume drop
WorldACD Market data figures released a few days ago show that January was not a spectacular month for air cargo.
Yield for the month dropped further again to an average of US$1.84/kg. This, ACD notes, was an -8% drop on the same month last year. Also the total chargeable weight for January dropped by -6.2%. It is interesting to note that although so called general cargo shipments dropped by -5%, that special cargo such as high-tech shipments, pharmaceuticals and perishable cargoes actually increased by +4.6% year-on-year. The World ACD data also shows average load factors dipping in January as well as revenues for larger shipments over 5 tons going down by -6.4%.
The figures confirm the trend of the past few months where both revenues and yields have declined.

CHAMP joins Open Innovation Club
Luxembourg-headquartered CHAMP Cargosystems which offers a broad portfolio of IT solutions for air cargo clients, has joined the Luxembourg Open Innovation Club (LOIC) which is run by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. The Innovation Club supports its members on corporate innovations and the broadening of business relationships. CHAMP state that ‘they aim to share and exchange their industry knowledge and expertise to assist the group’s mission.’
Luxembourg’s national all cargo carrier, Cargolux is also a member of LOIC, as is the Lunar Group. Lucas Fernandez, Head of Innovation at CHAMP Cargosystems comments that: “It is crucial for established companies to be active in the startup community.“ CHAMP also announced that they are a finalist for the IATA 2019 Cargo Innovations Award. The results will be announced on March 14th at this year’s IATA World Cargo Symposium in Singapore.

ACS invests further in USA
U.K.-based Air Charter Service which has 24 offices worldwide and offers commercial airliner and cargo aircraft charters has expanded its Los Angeles service which now offers almost double the previous capacity. Last year they also opened up in San Francisco as well.
The ACS management claim that business in California, especially in Los Angeles, has increased by over 400% during the past five years. This is the main reason for the company’s expansion in the city. Many of the contracts carried out there are for private aircraft charters but the movement of spare parts on special cargo charters has also increased.
The broker has also received the award as Charter Broker of the Year at this year’s National Wings of Business awards ceremony which was held in Moscow lately.

Tigers expands international sales team
Hong Kong-based Tigers, the supply chain specialist company has been in the news often during the past months with their expansion plans. They have recently made it known that they have opened a new purpose built facility in Miami in order to cater for the growing demand for e-commerce shipments. The new facility will replace the old one and all staff will be quartered there as well.
The 34,000 square foot building houses a large warehouse and offers ample office space. Tigers 20 year veteran Elena Varona acts as Branch Manager in the new facility which has a separate customs bond.
In other news Tigers announces the formation of a new international Asia-Pacific (APAC), South Africa, Europe and North America sales team. The new team members will be based in key locations spread over four continents.