SHORT SHOTS

Indonesia’s latest cargo airline receives AOC

Have B737-800 BCF, will fly. Three new airlines have this setup. Alongside BBN Airlines Indonesia, founded last summer, and short on the heels of Express Cargo Airlines receiving its Indonesian AOC earlier this year and launching commercial flight operations on 13AUG23, Raindo United Services is now the latest cargo airline startup to be granted its AOC. The Indonesian Aviation Authority – the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation, Ministry of Transportation – bestowed Raindo with the AOC-075 Air Operator Certificate on 22AUG23, upon completion of all necessary administration (It complements the airline’s Standard Certificate for Scheduled Commercial Air Transport of Foreign and Domestic Cargo, received 13DEC22). Raindo took delivery of its first B737-800BCF (registration PK-RUS) on 14JUL23, swiftly followed by registration PK-RFS on 09AUG23, and will soon launch its first commercial flight in a published route offer including both domestic and international destinations. 

The press release refers readers to the airline’s schedule and real-time tracking app, available for download via the usual channels. Its digital presence, promising first to last mile tracking, is part of the airline’s mission to “present a new era in the air logistics industry in the country. It is hoped that Raindo's presence can give a new color to the world of air logistics with various innovations and creativity that can encourage the growth of healthy competition so that later it will have a positive impact on various industrial sectors in Indonesia,” according to the release, which underlines further: “In accordance with Raindo's mission in realizing #KerjaAnakbangsa, Benny Rustanto, Muhammad Suryo, Dodi AbdulKadir, Bambang Sujatmiko, Capt Yudhi Fadjari, Hans Nugroho, and Febiantori have committed to strengthening domestic and international connectivity so as to be able to provide the best digital-based solutions that have an impact on all micro and medium enterprises.”

Benny Rustanto, Founder and Commissioner of Raindo, commented: “Still in the momentum of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day, we are proud to be able to provide an offering for Indonesia to be able to make an impact on accelerating Indonesia's economic growth in accordance with the spirit of Keep Moving Forward for an Advanced Indonesia. We also express our deepest gratitude to all parties involved in the process of fulfilling the complete requirements and administration of this AOC. Hopefully this is a good start to present a barrier-free solution for air logistics distribution.”

WFS constructing 5th MAD cargo terminal

The list of features is impressive: 17 direct access landside cargo truck and van docks, 2 build-up-pallet lanes and docks, 4 airside truck and dollies docks with tilting and 20-foot ULD handling capabilities, a secured refrigerated cargo acceptance area, cool rooms offering 2-8°C and 15-25°C temperatures, a mechanized handling system connecting land and airside docks, 4 integrated workstations with scales, 3 loose cargo scales, dedicated DGR, VUN, HUM, PIL and AVI areas, optimized security systems and technologies with 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and – to top it all - modern office accommodation. All this will be available in the new 6,500 m² cargo terminal that Worldwide Flight Services (WFS, part of The SATS Group), is currently constructing at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). Located in front of the main freighter parking area and close to Terminals 4 and 4S for quick cargo transfers, the new facility will be the fifth of its kind and is intended to provide additional growth capacity and secure WFS’ position as Madrid’s largest independent handling provider. If all goes to plan, the facility should be operational by the end of Q1/24, by which time WFS will have built up 17,000 m² of cargo handling in MAD since it first began operating there in 1998. Aside from the expected highest levels of safety and security, the new building has also been designed with sustainability in mind, and – like its peers – will be powered by 100% renewable energy (partly through roof solar panels), regulating its LED lighting, warehouse climatization, and electric battery chargers for cars and warehouse GSE. “Indoor AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) will also be introduced into the facility in the second half of 2024,” the release reveals, extolling WFS’ digitization initiatives: Cargospot mobile warehouse technology, CargoKiosk for automating and expediting truck processing times, and a Warehouse Workflow Monitoring System to meet customer KPIs and ensure consistent levels of efficiency.

Humberto Castro, Managing Director of WFS in Spain, explained: “Madrid is such a strategically important cargo market as a hub for Central and South America to and from the EU and connecting the Middle and Far East markets. This new cargo terminal will help to future-proof WFS’ service offering by increasing our handling capacity by 60% for our current and future airline customers. This will enable us to accommodate strong organic growth and support the huge increase of inbound e-commerce traffic from China.”

TIACA publishes 2024 Air Cargo Forum date

Pencil 11-14NOV24 into your diaries, because that is when TIACA will hold its next Air Cargo Forum – once more in Miami. However, this time with a new event manager. McVeigh Global Meetings and Events, LLC (MGME), is TIACA’s official event partner, having surpassed its peers in the recent tender process, based on its “commitment to deliver an event aligned with TIACA's Events key principles set by the association's Board of Directors. [These] include providing value for money, being network focused, world class speakers, industry thought leader engagement, charitable, sustainable as well as providing a highly valued experience for attendees,” the release details. That experience will include “facility tours, unique networking celebrations, and excursions for attendees”. With the tender success, MGME has secured the management not only of TIACA’s 2024 ACF, but also the following one in 2026, which will both again be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Over 220 exhibitors and 3,500 people attended last year’s ACF, so the two parties have their work cut out and are already planning.

Steven Polmans, TIACA Chair, stated: “Following the success of ACF 2022, we would like to enhance the event even more, aligned with our key event principles as a membership focused organization. We feel that it is vital that the ACF remains a world class global event that brings the entire industry together to deliver value not only for our exhibitors but to our members and the industry at large. By partnering with MGME, we can offer the entire package; exhibits, sponsorship, advertising and of course plenty of networking opportunities as well as fun.”

Glyn Hughes, TIACA Director General, added: “We are excited to work towards delivering another successful event next year that will include a streamlined event that achieves the association's event principles, but will also offer more opportunities for attendees to network such as a golf tournament, receptions, and well planned after event parties. We are confident that MGME will be able to deliver to the association as well as the exhibitors and attendees. We also feel it is vital to make it easy for attendees to enjoy themselves in one of the world's top tourist destinations, so we will be offering some exciting pre/post event excursions, watch this space. This way we can provide much more than event, we can provide an experience.” [Here’s hoping for Crazy Golf…, BG]

BlueBox Systems announces Advisory Board

The intelligent air freight tracking solutions provider, BlueBox Systems has announced the creation of an Advisory Board, bringing on established experts in Technology, Logistics, and Finance. Michael Wallraven, Jochen Frömming and Christoph Osterbrink have been appointed to assist the company in its strategic growth and innovation, bringing an external view and years of experience.

Martin Schulze, CEO of BlueBox Systems, commented: “With BlueBox Systems, we want to make the supply chains in air freight and logistics more transparent and thus more efficient at the same time. The support of the experts of the Advisory Board is very important for us. Their expertise and extensive industry knowledge will help BlueBox Systems on its way to continue to develop innovative solutions that focus on customer needs.”

Michael Wallraven stated: “I support BlueBox Systems as part of the Advisory Boad because I am convinced of the company‘s power of innovation. BlueBox Systems has the potential to transform logistics industry with its advanced solutions and make it more efficient.” Currently Chief Growth Officer of supply chain orchestration platform, Logward, Wallraven has 30 years of experience in the B2B technology industry, helping supply chain and logistics software companies to expand their presence and growth in Europe. Prior to Longward, he was project44’s Vice President and Managing Director, responsible for commerce and growth strategies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and entire Middle and Eastern Europe.

Jochen Frömming said: “As a part of the Advisory Board, I would like to contribute with my knowledge and my experience to help BlueBox Systems to further develop its solutions and help the company to adapt to the challenges of the logistics industry. I strongly believe in the promising future of BlueBox Systems.” Brought on as the Board’s Logistics expert, Jochen Frömming joined the Logivest Concept GmbH management team in April23, involved in process consulting. Before that, he spent more than 20 years within sales at SSI Schäfer.

Christoph Osterbrink commented: “BlueBox Systems established itself as an innovative player in the logistics industry. I’m looking forward contributing my financial expertise and to accompany the growth of this company. Together we can help BlueBox Systems to be even more successful.” Osterbrink’s expertise is within finance and investment. He is a partner of Steinbeis M&A Partners GmbH, founding partner of Steinbeis Consulting for Impact Investing, and previously held European positions with investment bank Fortis (now ABN Amro), and Ernest & Young Corporate Finance.

Canadian North investing to double Ottawa cargo facilities

“A strong supply chain in Canada,” is Canadian North’s mission. Hence it has opted to match the Canadian government’s CAD 11 million transport investment under the National Trade Corridors Fund, with a further CAD 11 million and ensure that the Inuit-owned airline gains a new cargo facility in Ottawa to best serve the surrounding Inuit communities. Thus, the Arctic’s leading airline will double its existing cargo facility by 2026. The new warehouse will be located on the grounds of Ottawa International Airport, to minimize cargo handling delays and increase connectivity between the different modes of transportation at the airport. The truck loading area will be expanded to solve a long-standing congestion problem, and the new facility will be equipped with environmentally friendly technologies, energy-efficient refrigeration and freezing areas, and a backup power system to ensure service continuity during severe weather events. 

Matieu Plamondon, Canadian North’s Vice President for Cargo & Airport Services, said: “When we talk about cargo, we’re talking about essentials and things that make a difference. Our expanded Ottawa facility lets us do more for our Arctic communities. From high-quality, expedited grocery deliveries to timely arrivals of cherished packages, we’re committed to enhancing the product we offer.”

Michael Rodyniuk, Canadian North’s CEO, commented: “Growing demand from Canada's remote and northern communities highlights the essential role of cargo in supporting the Inuit communities and ensuring food security. […] Our strategic expansion in Ottawa underscores Canadian North’s commitment to making life better in our remote and northern communities. Beyond just delivering essentials, we’re investing in the future. […] Through a joint investment of CAD 22 million, Canadian North's new cargo facility will double its capacity in Ottawa by 2026, strengthening the vital connections between the North and the rest of Canada.”

The Honorable David J. McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, stated: “The Ottawa International Airport is a vital economic engine, that also supports our neighbors in the North alongside our local community. The funds from today's announcement will allow Canadian North to invest in critical infrastructure to support key Canadian Northern supply routes while creating good jobs for local Ottawa residents.”

Heavy goods traffic doesn’t have to be dirty

Two German companies, logistics provider, Duvenbeck and technology innovator, Trailer Dynamics, recently put the latter’s eTrailer to the test, and the results bode well for a cleaner future when it comes to heavy goods road transportation. By adding an eTrailer to a diesel-powered tractor unit, the results on the journey lasting 325 km, were a 45% fuel saving. And that, of course, translates into a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, too, as well as lower operating costs, overall. Investments in decarbonization are more than worth it. Trailer Dynamics’ eTrailer is equipped with an electrically-power middle axle. During the field test, this was used in conjunction with a diesel-powered tractor to transport 11.9 tons of automotive parts on behalf of Volkswagen Konzernlogistik GmbH & Co from Duvenbeck’s business site in Herne, to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. “By fitting an additional, functionally reliable, electric powertrain in the eTrailer, it is possible to achieve significant reductions in the consumption of diesel fuel and CO2 emissions in the diesel tractor unit and noteworthy increases in the battery electric vehicle’s range (BEV),” the release confirmed, highlighting Duvenbeck Fleet Manager, Bernd Reining’s large part in the success of the test project due to “his extensive practical expertise and his profound understanding of the specific needs of an automobile logistics company.”

Jörg Witt, the Head of Group Sales Duvenbeck Group, summarized: “The test has demonstrated that the eTrailer technology not only helps reduce operating costs, but it can also make a significant contribution to greater sustainability in the logistics sector. Climate-friendly transport logistics is the goal of all those involved.”

Brigitte Gledhill

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