SHORT SHOTS

Swiss WorldCargo signs up for Pegasus ULD® fleet
Having recently launched its new SWISS Pharma and Healthcare product, Swiss WorldCargo has now also signed a Global Master Lease Agreement with Sonoco ThermoSafe, giving it access to Sonoco ThermoSafe's Pegasus ULD® temperature-controlled bulk shipping container (TCC). The agreement comes into effect with Swiss WorldCargo’s Winter Schedule 2023/2024. Swiss World Cargo is the latest airline to opt for the ultra-light pharma container launched in early 2020 upon receiving FAA approval and EASA shortly afterwards. It has been designed to meet stringent quality and safety requirements, as well as enabling cost-effective international air freight handling and customs processes. Made of damage-resistant, composite materials, Pegasus ULD is a lighter container version that also includes a fully integrated telemetry system for GPS-localized, real-time, cloud-based data regarding payload, ambient temperature, and other environmental aspects factors.
Bourji Mourad, Director of Global Logistics and Partner Management for Sonoco ThermoSafe's Bulk Rental Group, commented: “We are excited to partner with Swiss WorldCargo. Healthcare companies and their logistics providers can access the Pegasus ULD fleet via Swiss WorldCargo's extensive global network and through their branded products SWISS Pharma & Healthcare, General Cargo, and Perishables. We are delighted the Pegasus ULD will offer a unique choice for pharma shippers as a one-of-a-kind Advanced Passive Temperature Controlled Container (TCC).”
Christian Wyss, Head of Cargo Offering Development and Steering at Swiss WorldCargo, stated: “Our SWISS Pharma and Healthcare product has been highly refined to meet the evolving demands of our customers when it comes to pharmaceutical consignments. We look forward to offering soon the Pegasus ULD as part of our transportation/temperature solutions for rental, ensuring further safe and efficient transport of time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare freight.”

dnata is cooler, cleaner, greener at SIN
In line with its plans to halve its carbon footprint by 2030, dnata has been running Kaer’s Cooling as a Service (CaaS) technology at its two Singapore Changi Airport locations since JAN22, to provide cool water and air to its cargo, catering, and support facilities. Now, Kaer has retrofitted dnata’s cooling systems with high efficiency, low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) technology, and combined this with its suite of data mining, machine learning and carbon monitoring software. The sustainable upgrade is designed to save at least 650 metric tons of carbon emissions and 1.5 million kilowatt hours (kwH) of electricity per year – the equivalent, it says, to installing 2,400 rooftop solar panels. dnata's facilities in Singapore already gain an annual 4,300-megawatt hours of electricity thanks to a rooftop power plant made up of 6,500 individual solar panels. Electricity-related carbon emissions were reduced by 20%, already. Now, with the newest technological installation, dnata has managed a 54% reduction in energy consumption at its cargo base, and a further 35% reduction at its catering and support offices. Kaer’s CaaS enables real-time monitoring and reporting of service levels, energy use and carbon emissions required for correct ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting.
Charles Galloway, dnata's Regional CEO, Airport Operations – Asia Pacific, said: “We are proud to be an early pioneer in low-GWP refrigerant, and making our Singapore operations even more efficient and sustainable. We have plans to expand our CaaS initiatives to additional areas of our operations, and look forward to working with our partners to further reduce our environmental footprint.”
Justin Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Kaer, added: “We are excited to welcome dnata into the CaaS movement and to be a part of their journey towards carbon neutrality. Our ongoing partnership with dnata allows us to scale up our investments in low carbon technology in the coming years and showcase how the implementation of CaaS, alongside the use of solar panels can deliver clean and sustainable cooling.”

More charters for semiconductor customers
Kuehne+Nagel announced the addition of three new air charter connections last week, as it focuses on autonomous solutions for its semiconductor industry customers. Since 23OCT23, its in-house Boeing 747-8F, the “Inspire, connects the U.S. with the Netherlands and Taiwan in twice-weekly “around-the-world” flights that join its regular flight schedule. Starting out in Atlanta and Chicago, it will fly first to Amsterdam and then on to Taipei, and back. Though its load will also contain healthcare and perishables shipments, a key focus is on supporting the semicon industry in its growth. “As one of the world's leading microchip manufacturers, Taiwan accounts for approximately 20% of the global semiconductor industry. By connecting Taiwan with the Benelux region, Kuehne+Nagel can offer fully owned and controlled capacity for its semiconductor customers while adhering to the strictest quality standards. Earlier this year, Kuehne+Nagel announced their SemiconChain quality standard in response to the market's increased need for secure and reliable semiconductors transportation,” the release states.
Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for Air Logistics, said: “Developing and offering logistics solutions for the semiconductor industry is part of our strategic Roadmap 2026. By introducing these three new connections, we can support our customers better and facilitate future growth in the sector.”

Envirotainer invests in Canadian upgrades at YUL and YYZ
As the world’s 9th largest pharmaceutical market (2.1% of global market), Canada is a core focus market for cool containers. Envirotainer operates two facilities – in Montreal (YUL) and Toronto (YYZ), and has invested in upgrading the former and expanding the latter. “The company's Montreal station (YUL) is now fully equipped to handle its Releye® containers. Customers can now release their orders directly from the station and make returns with greater efficiency, reducing risks associated with delays. This investment makes YUL one of the 40+ global stations supporting Releye®,” according to the release. Over in Toronto, the enhancement was focused on improving patient access to essential medicines. To that end, Envirotainer has moved to a larger ground handling facility with 40% more storage space. It is also equipped with fast container charging terminals, “an essential feature for the Releye® platform.”
Niklas Adamsson, Chief Operating Officer at Envirotainer, stated: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to making global pharmaceutical access a reality and supporting Canada's growing biopharmaceutical sector. We believe these enhancements not only extend the reach of Envirotainer's solutions but also equip our customers with cutting-edge tools to serve their clients better.”
Carolyn Van Vliet, Strategic Account Manager for Canada at Envirotainer, said: “We take great pride in serving our customers in Canada's thriving biopharmaceutical ecosystem as they drive innovation and excellence within the industry. These improvements at Montreal and Toronto enables us to better support the needs of our customers while ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of life-saving biopharmaceuticals worldwide.”

ITA Airways renews ULD agreement with Jettainer
The airline and the ULD management provider have agreed to extend their contract for a further contract period, but does not specify the length, only the hope that the cooperation will continue “for many years to come.“ Jettainer steers a customized ULD fleet consisting of over 4,000 containers and pallets, ensuring that ITA Airways’ passenger and cargo services can be upheld. It does this through a mix of high-end IT solutions and experienced employees, which, together offer maximum transparency and visibility within the ULD deployment process, The focus is on maximizing ULD utilization rates, avoiding empty positioning runs, and reducing costs and CO2 emissions. In using a ULD manager, ITA Airways is able to grow, knowing that the ULD pool will support its development. The Italian airline’s flight network is expanding and currently includes destinations in Europe, Africa, North, Central and South America and Asia, all served out of its hubs in Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate airports.
Francesco Presicce, Accountable Manager and Chief Technology Officer at ITA Airways, explained: “Jettainer provides us with the continued and valued reliability which we expect and need in order to deliver our services. At the same time, its innovative management contributes to the efficient and cost-effective operation of our airline. We are confident that Jettainer is a great partner for our growing business.”
Thorsten Riekert, Chief Sales Officer at Jettainer, added: “Our goal is to deliver outstanding services to our customers and to improve our service proposition through continuous development and innovation. We greatly appreciate the trust that ITA Airways has shown by awarding us a contract extension. This decision pushes us to continue to meet the growing ULD management needs in the most efficient way.”

WestJet Cargo’s Winter Schedule includes new destinations
This weekend kicks off WestJet Cargo’s cargo network expansion. New destinations have been added: Puerto Plata, Bridgetown and Kingston. All three destinations mainly see perishables and general cargo shipments. The airline explains that “the decision to expand to these destinations was based on the recognized potential of both WestJet's passenger and cargo businesses and is not dependent on new aircraft.”
Flights to and from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, is officially being re-launched today, 29OCT23. “Cargo services will be offered to and from Puerto Plata, on multiple weekly flights. Each flight will offer a reliable 2-ton cargo capacity. The rotation for this route is Toronto – Puerto Plata - Toronto. In the Dominican Republic, WestJet Cargo currently provides cargo capacity on its passenger services to Punta Cana from Calgary and Toronto.”
Kingston, Jamaica, cargo flights will begin tomorrow, 30OCT23. The route – Toronto – Kingston – Toronto – will be served three times per week, again with a 2-ton cargo capacity on each leg. Until now, cargo capacity was available on WestJet’s passenger services to Montego Bay, from various cities across Canada.
Bridgetown, Barbados, flights will commence 08NOV23. Here, too, cargo services are being relaunched. The airline served Bridgetown prior to the start of the pandemic in early 2020. The new schedule envisages 4 weekly flights, each with a cargo capacity of 2 tons per flight. “The route rotation for Bridgetown will be Toronto – Bridgetown - Toronto.”

Brigitte Gledhill

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