Electric truck for electronic goods
There’s an orange truck making its way across Central and Eastern Europe, full of HP goods. Gebrüder Weiss and HP Inc., whose business partnership dates back to 1996, have decided to improve
their sustainability approach by ensuring cleaner product transportation. Since early JUN21, Gebrüder Weiss has been deploying an electric truck – the second in its fleet so far – to deliver
technology products for the computer and printer manufacturer, HP. The MAN zero-emissions truck, decorated with the two partners’ logos, will achieve annual savings of around 50 metric tons in
emissions compared to its conventional diesel counterpart. It can travel distances of up to 150 kilometers without recharging and is currently running daily services to electronics
wholesalers.
Michael Smetana, Managing Director Austria at HP, explains the measure: “By incorporating an electric truck to deliver our products, we are taking a further stride with Gebrüder Weiss towards
creating a more sustainable, net zero emission supply chain. Our long-term partner Gebrüder Weiss is supporting us with its high-quality logistics expertise and laying down a marker when it comes
to cutting emissions in our European operations.”
Gebrüder Weiss follows a strict sustainability strategy. It began trialing its first electric truck across Vienna, Austria, a few years ago already, and is constantly on the look-out for
alternative efficient and sustainable transport solutions that can be implemented in its various supply chain operations. “In addition to the fully electric models, which are charged with
green electricity, the logistics professionals have a hydrogen-fueled vehicle and several natural gas-powered trucks in service. By tapping this and other initiatives, Gebrüder Weiss is aiming to
achieve climate neutrality by 2030,” the press release confirms.
Qatar Airways Cargo joins the CCA
28JUL21 marked the start of Qatar Airways Cargo’s membership of the Cool Chain Association (CCA). The non-profit organization, which was founded in 2003, focuses on continuously improving
pharmaceutical and perishable cool chain transports with regard to quality, and efficiency, as well as ensuring minimum food wastage. The airline will now join the other members in sharing,
developing, and implementing ideas, experiences, and innovative solutions for the cool chain. A strategy that is in line with the Qatar Airways Cargo’s own WeQare sustainability program.
Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said, “Through our membership with Cool Chain Association, we look forward to collaborating with its members, and contributing to CCA's
vision of improving quality of temperature-sensitive products, increasing sustainability and reducing waste, thereby also contributing to the health of the planet, which aligns with our
sustainability program, WeQare.”
Stavros Engelakakis, Chairman, CCA, added: “CCA members are focused on developing tangible programs and backing projects which help reduce food waste and ensure that life-saving pharma
consignments safely reach their destination, and this has never been more relevant than now. We are pleased that the cargo carrier's Senior Manager of Climate Control Products, Miguel Rodriguez
Moreno, is joining the board. Qatar Airways Cargo's shared commitment to our goals and its vision for WeQare combined with Miguel's wealth of experience in the cool chain supply chain makes him
the perfect addition to our association.”
Among the CCA’s activities are the work of its Technical Committee, “that oversees and assists in projects addressing critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well
as developing standards and initiating projects will indirectly reduce global hunger and contribute to overall health of people and the planet,” the press release notes. Qatar Airways Cargo
has invested heavily in ensuring quality facilities, innovative solutions and processes, and trained staff when it comes to handling and transporting temperature-controlled goods.
cargo-partner still flying high and then some
What began with the first lockdown in the Spring of 2020, is still going strong and now being expanded: cargo-partner’s air charter services. “cargo-partner has recognized the customer need
for highly time-critical transports and can ensure immediate availability and the fastest response times for these requests,” cargo-partner CEO Stefan Krauter stated. Given the capacity
shortages both in sea freight and along the Iron Silk Road as demand has increased at the same time as space has decreased, customers have turned to alternative transportation methods.
cargo-partner thus began arranging weekly charter flights from Asia to Europe. Regular charters have flown on average twice a week from Hong Kong to Budapest since Spring 2020, carrying cargo for
e-commerce, automotive, high-tech, and retail customers. These charters will continue at least until the end of this year, and have will be complemented by a weekly Zhengzhou-Frankfurt charter
connection since JUN21.
cargo-partner has now also launched a weekly part-load charter program from Vienna to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, connecting Central and Eastern Europe with the U.S. Midwest. In
addition to general cargo transportation, cargo-partner also offers comprehensive customs and last-mile services on this route. In fact, door-to-door services between Vietnam and Europe have been
on offer since Spring on its weekly services from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Munich, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Alongside its scheduled services, cargo-partner has also arranged a number of ad-hoc
full and part-charters (including an AN-124 at one point, given the size of the shipment) over the past year, including for example, medical shipments related to the COVID-19 pandemic from
Shanghai; China, to Prague, Czech Republic: 55 tons of 55 million antigen tests in under 72 hours door-to-door, or automotive emergencies to keep production plants running, flying charters from
Beijing, China to Slovakia via Vienna, Austria, given that Bratislava Airport had been closed due to runway construction, and recently a couple of B747-400s landing at Düsseldorf, Germany, having
flown from Zhengzhou carrying a mix of time-critical healthcare and automotive products.
IATA launches environmental sustainability training program
Together with its long-standing academic partner, the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently launched an environmental sustainability
training program, bringing academia and industry expertise together on what is a key issue of our time. In fact, a recent survey among over 800 industry training professionals, identified
sustainability as a core training requirement, covering the topic holistically – from necessary fundamental technical and operational skills, to required soft skills. With the disruption caused
by the pandemic, the topic is also on the top of the agenda of airlines restarting and going forward. The offered IATA - UNIGE Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Environmental
Sustainability in Aviation is made up of six modules: Design a Sustainability Strategy, Environmental Management Systems in Aviation, Responsible Leadership, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Corporate
Social Responsibility and Organizational Ethics, and Carbon Markets and Aviation. They can be taken individually or as a complete package and are held in live virtual classrooms, enabling
participants to engage and discuss with the instructor in and interactive, real-time setting. Each module demonstrates how both individual actions and overall company policies effect
sustainability, and teaches how to identify measures which can be implemented to improve sustainability in the short, medium, and long-term. It also covers aspects such as corporate social
responsibility, organizational ethics, and responsible leadership.
“The aviation workforce is highly skilled as it needs to work to and comply with many global and industry standards. Over the years we have been adapting our training offer to meet the
changing requirements of the industry. Hence it should come as no surprise that we are now adding environmental sustainability training to our curriculum. Ensuring that all those working in this
industry are given the opportunity to acquire these new skillsets is essential, as we increasingly place more emphasis on making our operations more sustainable, while rebuilding from the effects
of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
TAP Air Cargo has added another digital platform: CargoAi
TAP Air Cargo last week announced its partnership with CargoAi, thus adding a further digital platform to its booking channel repertoire. Forwarders will be able to access TAP Air Cargo capacity,
request e-quotes and make e-bookings eventually to all 90 destinations the airline offers. The roll out will start in France, followed by the United States, with the plan to have the full
worldwide offer online by the end of August. The airline has been following a stringent digitalization program. Similar to its cooperation with cargo.one which began last year, it seeks to offer
its customers reliable, customized services via “new ultra-modern digital solutions”. CargoAi has established rapidly itself as “a leading digital booking services platform in the
air freight industry” since its inception in 2019.
Bernardo Nunes, Director Cargo Business Development & Transformation, TAP Air Cargo, detailed: “TAP Air Cargo has implemented modern digital solutions to allow its clients to manage the
process of transporting their freight in an independent manner. CargoAi quintessentially represents this model, with a highly intuitive and simple use of e-quote and e-booking functionalities. A
genuine self-service platform for stakeholders in the field of aerial freight.”
“From its Hub in Lisbon, TAP Air Cargo covers all continents with an average of 2500 flights per week, thanks to a modern fleet of 80 cargo transport aircraft. It is exactly this type of
transport solution that is sought by freight forwarders, and we are very proud to be able to offer it to them via the CargoAi platform”, Matthieu Petot, CEO of CargoAi, explained.
EL AL Cargo adds WebCargo to its digital repertoire
It appears to have been a week of digital announcements. Over in Israel, EL AL Cargo has chosen to also augment its digital reach by rolling its capacity out on WebCargo. Also no stranger to
digital booking platforms, having partnered cargo.one since 2019, the latest move will provide WebCargo users access to real-time pricing, capacity, and allow them to ebook through the Freightos
Group company. The pandemic has seen a huge increase in digital adoption across the industry, from carriers to forwarders, and EL AL is ensuring that access to its service offer is as simple as
possible. WebCargo counts over 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across more than 10,000 global branches as its users. The rollout will cover the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Mr. Ronen Spira, Head of EL AL Cargo division, explained: “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with
instant and accurate information is essential. Through our engagement with WebCargo, we look forward to providing our customers with comprehensive digital solutions and widening our digital
offerings for freight forwarders across the globe.”
Zvi Schreiber, CEO of the Freightos Group, added: “Digital Air Cargo has taken off since the beginning of the pandemic and has reached a critical point in market adoption where eBookings are
a must rather than a want. We’re proud to partner with EL AL Cargo as we continue expanding the global network and range of offerings available to WebCargo forwarders.”
dnata announces lead for global handling and cargo business
David Barker, who joined dnata as COO in April 2015, and has since been based in the USA as the region’s CEO, was appointed Divisional Senior Vice President (DSVP) for Airport Operations last
week, thus assuming the global responsibility for dnata’s ground handling and cargo business. That translates into 91 airports in 14 countries, and over 23,000 employees who handled 290,000
aircraft and moved 2.7 million tons of cargo in the fiscal year 2020-21. He will assume the position on 01AUG21 and move to Dubai, UAE, where he will report to dnata's Executive Vice President,
Steve Allen. Barker succeeds Stewart Angus, who held the post for 16 years, and has decided to leave dnata for family reasons.
Steve Allen said: “I'm delighted to welcome David to dnata's global management team. Over the past years, David has made outstanding achievements as our regional leader, playing a key role in
the expansion of dnata's operations and customer base in the United States. His passion for service excellence will ensure the highest level of quality and safety across our global airport
operations. I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Stewart for his hard work and significant contribution to dnata's development over the past 16 years. We wish him all the best in his
future endeavors.”
“David joined dnata in 2015 with over two decades of experience in the aviation industry. In his current role as dnata USA's CEO, he has more than doubled the size of the company's business
in the country, won many new customers, and successfully integrated a highly motivated team into the global dnata community. Previously, he held C-suite roles at JetSource and various general
manager and regional operational roles with ASIG. He also led the global mergers and acquisitions for BBA Aviation Flight Support,” the press release lists.
Brigitte Gledhill
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