Uber-taking on the Freight software scene
In addition to its 2017-launched Uber Freight App, which brings U.S. shippers and haulers together, solving a digital solution demand for greater visibility, the company this month launched two
more software products: Uber Freight Enterprise and Uber Freight Link. These are designed to work with existing warehouse and transportation management systems.
Uber Freight Enterprise, which can be accessed either via mobile, webbase or using TMS (transport management systems) via API, is aimed at shippers and enhances Uber Freight’s original services,
enabling more large-scale flexibility when it comes to managing loads across different carriers.
Uber Freight Link, on the other hand, enables shippers and haulers to combine and utilize offers also from outside the Uber Freight platform, and is the result of Uber Freight’s
partner-development over the past year with TMS providers such as Oracle, SAP, Blue Yonder, BluJay and MercuryGate.
Lior Ron, Head of Central Operations at Uber Freight, extolls the benefits of connecting Uber Freight’s API to the shipper’s existing TMS: "Link can just offer them [the shippers] a much
richer understanding of their carrier base. That is not necessarily always apparent through the API route because an API is sort of a thinner slice of the whole," and explains that Uber is
filling a gap given the lack of comprehensive digitalization in the industry.
The Uber Freight products deliver the greater visibility so necessary in today’s “new normal” world, and enables not only digital documentation and exception management, but the
collected data can be used to improve processes all round.
CEVA Logistics goes CargoWise
In line with its IMPACT 2020 plan which aims for greater efficiencies and improved digitalization amongst other things, CEVA Logistics announced the kick-off of its 5-year long rollout of
CargoWise. This integrated logistics execution platform, which covers all kinds of process areas such as freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, shipping, tracking, land transport,
e-commerce, and cross-border compliance all one a single database which can be tailored to a company’s needs in terms of user numbers, functions, countries, languages, and currencies, will
replace all CEVA’s current 3PL operational processes with simpler, more standardized ones. 50% of all CEVA Logistics locations should be fully operational on the CargoWise platform by the end of
2022, and 100% by 2025.
Mathieu Friedberg, CEVA Logistics’ CEO, stated: “By implementing CargoWise, CEVA Logistics will further improve productivity and efficiency as we strive to lead the way in multi-modal
forwarding and contract logistics operations. Thanks to its experience across the transport and logistics sector, CargoWise is the right choice to provide this new digital platform. CEVA
Logistics recently invested to improve the customer journey and this implementation allows us to develop a high-level employee journey as well.”
WiseTech Global Founder and CEO, Richard White, added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome CEVA Logistics to our global rollout family. This is a fantastic decision for their business and
its thousands of logistics specialists. The world of logistics has experienced significant upheaval over the past six months with the digitization and automation of processes critical for future
success. CargoWise will empower and enable CEVA Logistics to significantly improve efficiencies across its logistics and supply chain operations and continue to build its presence and strength
globally.”
Amazon starts building an autonomous cargo fleet
Amazon is starting to go it alone. On 31AUG20, it registered its first own B767.300 (N503AZ) with the FAA, marking the start of a move to building its own Amazon cargo fleet. Registration numbers
521AZ, 563AZ, 569AZ and 571AZ, have also been reserved, so more own planes are in the coming. Though at 29 years and with a colorful history, the first addition to the fleet is no spring chicken,
it is shrewd planning on the part of Amazon, which has been operating leased wide-bodies over the past 5 years, and, thanks to the pandemic, has seen business explode in the region of 40-50% more
than previous year. At the same time, cargo capacity is still scarce, and has prompted a number of airlines to convert passenger planes into freighters over the past months. Amazon’s first plane
is currently parked in Tel Aviv, awaiting its freighter conversion.
At the same time, Amazon recently increased its operations with ATSG (Air Transport Services Group) by another 6 B767s.
Hungary “Wizzing” into cargo, too
Amazon is not the only one wanting its own planes. The Hungarian government recently bought a grounded A330-200F from Qatar Cargo, which is actively looking to reduce its 8 Airbus freighters in
favor of B777Fs. The reason for the purchase? So that the Hungarian government has access to its own cargo space when required. The government plans to lease out the plane to Wizz Air, a rapidly
rising Hungarian low-cost carrier, which will then be able to use it for commercial cargo.
According to airportal.hu: “One of the advantages of operating under a civilian register [Wizz Air] is that it is easier to obtain the necessary landing and en route permits, especially in
the Far East, for example, than it is for a military aircraft.” Military aircraft, according to the source, are also more passenger-focused than cargo, therefore not optimal for what the
government has in mind. The new purchase is currently still in DOH, waiting to be flown to BUD at an unknown point in time. It is not published how much was paid, though speculations state it
could be somewhere in the region of USD 150 million.
The AN-178 freighter could be part-assembled in Turkey
ANTONOV’s interest in Turkey is already a few years old, but things might now be coming to fruition following an Antonov delegation visit of Turkish shipyards and aircraft hangars earlier this
month. In particular, collaboration on the improved AN-178 (maiden flight in MAY 2020) is of interest. Speaking about the results of the visit, Antonov’s President, Oleksandr Los, said: “We
are in close interaction and discussion with our Turkish friends, the TEI [TUSAS Engine Industries] and other companies. […] we've already reached a level where top managers can speak about
potential cooperation on the industrialization of the AN-178 in Ukraine and Turkey.”
He pointed out that a number of potential cooperation fields exist between the two nations - not just in defense, but also commercially.
The AN-178-100 is able to transport around 16-18 tons of cargo (depending on whether it is the commercial version or the military one, and can land on all kinds of surfaces).
Ostend Airport teams up with logistics warehousing developer
Ostend Airport has joined forces with the local real estate development group, Versluys Group, for the construction of 45,000 m² of warehousing capacity. For Versluys, which is active as a
residential property developer, this is a new venture to be carved out in the new enterprise, Versluys Logistics. The first project will be situated at the Apron 1, intended for the accommodation
of cargo, where Bcube took over the former premises of MK Airlines in 2019. Over the first 8 months of 2020, the airport handled a total of 35,805 tons, a 150.7% increase and surpassing the total
volume of 2019. In August alone, the volume rose by 304.8% to 4,407 tons, thanks to new companies like Qatar Airways, Magma, and Hong Yuan. The latter has expressed the intention to turn the
airport into its European hub. Long-time customer Egyptair also increased its operation and several airlines make a stop-over at OST en route to the U.S.
Marcel Schoeters
“Cargo-ready” at Gloucestershire Airport
Whilst the fate of many regional airports is rocky, given poor passenger figures and the move to consolidations at hubs, one tiny business airport acting as a gateway to the South-West of
England, has just handled its first cargo operator: Global Airlift Solutions, flying in with a PC12NG freighter. Gloucestershire Airport, previously known as Staverton Airport, is ramping up.
Only recently, it announced that it had submitted a planning application for a new 8.5 hectare business park which will potentially create 1,750 new jobs, and is intended to “support the
county’s ambitions for economic growth during the recovery from Covid-19.” Karen Taylor, Gloucestershire Airport’s Commercial Finance Director, said: “The location is ideally placed for
growth with connections by road and air, and we aim for the airport to be a gateway to growth for the many exciting developments happening in Cheltenham and Gloucester.”
A view that is shared by Weston Aviation, responsible for handling Global Airlift Solutions at their new FBO facility which opened last year, aimed at “just-in-time” logistics for the surrounding
industries. Nick Weston, CEO and Founder of Weston Aviation back in 1995, explained: “I have been involved in urgent automotive logistics and handling for 30 years and understand the fine
balance between the on-time delivery of cargo and where possible cost savings. As soon as we opened our new FBO facility at Gloucestershire Airport in 2019, we saw the enormous potential for
developing cargo handling for JIT operations. Being slightly more southerly than traditional automotive hubs such as Birmingham, with less flying and lower cost and just 50 minutes’ drive away,
we would be offloaded and on the road before an aircraft arrives at Birmingham.”
Sven Sroka, VP Sales for Global Airlift Solutions, said: “We are delighted to be the first cargo aircraft into Gloucestershire Airport which is a perfect partner for the capability and
uniqueness of the PC12 Cargo aircraft. We look forward to working closely with both Weston Aviation and our cargo brokers and clients through the airport.” Karen Taylor underlined: “This
is a great new opportunity for us and demonstrates perfectly the great future and potential of Gloucestershire Airport as well as working with Weston Aviation.”
KLU and K&N found sustainable logistics research center
01SEP20 saw the opening of the Center for Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chains (CSLS) in Hamburg; a research center for sustainable logistics and supply chains that has been jointly founded by
Kühne Logistics University (KLU) and Kuehne+Nagel – the latter will fund the first five years of research. The aim according to the press release, is “to help establish the Hanseatic city as
an international hub for sustainable logistics.”
KLU also already runs the industry-funded Hapag-Lloyd Center for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Thomas Strothotte, President of KLU, stated: “As a result of the coronavirus crisis, global CO2 emissions were significantly reduced. How can we
successfully regain our economic competitiveness and permanently reduce these emissions, which are now climbing again? Ecological sustainability means reconciling both goals. Our new research
center will make a substantial contribution in this regard.”
On behalf of K&N, Otto Schacht, Kuehne + Nagel International AG Board Member responsible for sea logistics, said: “With our Net Zero Carbon program, Kuehne+Nagel has assumed a pioneering
role in the logistics industry: by 2030 we will be completely climate-neutral, in terms of both our own CO2 footprint and our customers’ supply chains. In this regard, one vital component is the
reduction of emissions – at sea, in the air and on the street. This aspect is what led us to join forces with KLU to advance research into innovative, sustainable logistics solutions.”
Dr. Moritz Petersen, Academic Director, Center for Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chains (CSLS) at KLU, pointed out that logistics-related activities account for around 10% of global CO2
emissions, and that the focus on decarbonization is crucial, yet also warned of relying exclusively on environmentally friendly technologies: “Over the past few decades, advances in fuel
efficiency have considerably reduced the emissions produced in transport. Yet the amount of goods transported is growing so quickly that overall emissions are climbing, not falling,” asking
for the possibility to establish concrete measures through “joint projects with companies throughout the supply chain.”
Brigitte Gledhill
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