SHORT SHOTS

DSV’s state-of-the art Canadian headquarters open for business
Initially scheduled to open in the fall of 2019, when construction work began back in MAY18, DSV’s new head office finally took up operation on 03FEB20. Measuring an impressive 1.1. million square feet (100,000m²), the facility, located in Milton (Toronto), Ontario, Canada, is not only the largest of its kind in the global DSV network, it is also the largest multi-customer logistics facility in Canada.

At the official ground-breaking ceremony on 22NOV18, Martin Roos, Managing Director of DSV Air & Sea Canada underlined its importance: “Today’s ground-breaking signifies a momentous milestone for DSV. The largest facility of its kind in the DSV network worldwide, the new facility in Milton showcases our commitment to our customers and the future of DSV in Canada. Together, we have limitless potential and opportunity for growth, partnership, and innovation.” That innovation includes, for example, an onsite drone delivery platform for Drone Delivery Canada, agreed back in OCT19 and due to start up this quarter. "DSV Canada is dedicated to delivering innovative and integrated supply chain solutions," Martin Roos said at the time, “We have looked to overcome some of today's challenges by investing in tomorrow's opportunities, and we are ready for the next steps."

Over 800 employees work at the new facility which houses all three company divisions: Air & Sea, Road and Solutions. Located on Fifth Line, just north of Derry Road in Milton, around 30 km from Pearson International Airport, and just a few kilometers away from Canada’s busiest highway (401), the new complex includes a multi-client warehouse with state-of-the-art logistics capabilities and a 3-floor, 35,000 square foot administrative office.

Dreamlifts Ltd and Antonov Airlines part ways on 29FEB20
Antonov Airlines issued a press statement this week, confirming the end of its four-year cooperation with GSSA Dreamlifts Ltd. after the two companies had “failed to reach an acceptable agreement” (as per Dreamlifts Ltd.). Director of Antonov Airlines, Mykhailo Kharchenko, stated: "Management of Dreamlifts Ltd decided not to continue the joint work with Antonov Company after expiration of the current GSSA agreement. And they have right to do so. We are very grateful to our Dreamlifts colleagues for their cooperation and support of Antonov Airlines during last 3 years. We wish them only success in the future. Antonov Airlines will continue to offer its reliable AN-124 airframes with properly extended lifetime to the market on its own. We look forward to working with the existing and potential customers and can see a successful future going forward with them."

Earlier in the week, Graham Witton, Managing Director of Dreamlifts Ltd, had pointed out that: “This has been an extremely difficult decision. A number of our staff have been representing Antonov in the worldwide market since the establishment of the airline in 1989. Since setting up Dreamlifts Ltd in 2016, and subsequently the U.S. office, Antonov Airlines Inc, we have helped strengthen the Antonov Airlines brand globally and have been very proud in doing so. […] We would like to thank our customers for their support and trust placed in the Dreamlifts team for the last three years. We also thank Antonov for their partnership and wish them every success in the future.”

While the Dreamlifts Ltd. assured that work would continue on future projects, details of which were yet to be disclosed, Andriy Blagovisniy, Antonov Airlines’ Commercial Director, outlined Antonov Airlines’ global expansion plans, hinting at upcoming tenders from “well-known and experienced experts from the outsize and heavyweight cargo industry who worked with Antonov Company for many years,” and ensured that: “An experienced team of Ukraine sales professionals will lead the global sales activities for its fleet of AN-124-100s, AN-225, AN-22, AN-26 and AN-74 aircraft. Antonov’s customers will continue to receive high-quality service based on knowledge and deep expertise of the HQ sales team. We expect a seamless transition for our customers and a continuation of flexible and personal service as per the current and future contracts.”

SAL inaugurates expanded air cargo facility at Dammam Airport
Saudi Arabian Logistics (SAL) Co. is now the proud owner of a new 37,800m² air cargo facility at King Fahad International Airport, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The inauguration took place last week, in the presence of Abdullah Al-Zamil, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dammam Airports Company and a number of representatives of the airport’s governmental authorities. 

This latest state-of-the-art expansion enables the handling of 130,000 tons per year and enhances the level of logistic services which includes dangerous goods, radioactive substances, live animals and heavy-weight shipments. It also offers a 24/7 customer service office, cargo in-transit areas as well as designated product areas. SAL CEO Omar bin Talal Hariri stated “We have constantly worked together with our partners in order to provide more flexible cargo services such as cargo handling, clearance, transportation while linking cargo services with other Saudi airports,” referring also to the Kingdom’s unique Cargo Village at the airport. It offers a one-stop-shop for all kinds of cargo, whether it comes in via road, rail or air, be it in customs clearance, warehousing or freight services. 

Hariri further underlined SAL’s drive to achieve Vision 2030 objectives: “At SAL, we recognize our tremendous responsibility as a major contributor to Vision 2030 objectives relating to the logistic services and the goals of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program “NIDLP”. We aim to take advantage of the Kingdom’s strategic and vital location and transform it into a global important hub for cargo transportation and shipment.”

Rock-It Cargo is rolling!
When you can boast more than 40 years of providing cargo services to rockstars, it rubs off and you turn into a niche rockstar yourself. Rock-It Cargo has again won first prize at a recent concert industry event, bringing its 2020 trophies up to three, so far. The latest award was given to Rock-It at the annual Pollstar Awards held on Thursday, 06FEB20 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California, where Rock-It beat 5 other contenders and was crowned “Transportation Company of the Year,” for "outstanding integrity, professionalism and creative achievement in coach, cargo or other transportation or logistics services for tour(s) in 2019." Earlier this year, Rock-It was awarded “Forwarder of the Year” at the Production Summit Awards on 25JAN20 in Tucson, Arizona, and “Freight Forwarder of the Year” at the Parnelli Awards on 17JAN20 in Los Angeles, California.

Elton John, one of Rock-It’s famous cargo clients going since the early days of the company in 1983, was also at the Pollstar Awards ceremony, where he received top honors in the category “Major Tour of the Year” for his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour.

Rock-It's former CEO and current Chairman of the Board, David Charles Bernstein, accepted the award on behalf of the company, and Rock-It’s current CEO and President, Paul J. Martins, thanked his team and customers, stating: “The highest marks that we can receive as a company is recognition by an audience of our customers and peers of what we have accomplished not just in a given year, but over time. This award is shared among our four hundred and fifty worldwide employees without whose unwavering commitment to our customers and artists this would not be possible."