Air cargo forwarding

The express parcels industry is coming under pressure “as never before” as e-retailing, technological disruption and macro-economic upheaval drive fundamental changes in the market, according to a leading logistics consultancy.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, is investing heavily in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, to position itself favorably ahead of the inauguration of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of the year.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, has reached a key milestone in its Asia strategy with the launch of a time-saving truck service between Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province in southern China, and Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.

London Heathrow’s cargo traffic decreased by 5.4 percent in July from a year ago but the airport urged the government to approve an expansion of the airport to keep pace with growing trade with emerging markets.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, said that it has bought the remaining 5 percent of Nippon Express (China) still held by a Chinese partner to speed up the decision-making process. Those decisions center on adjusting to China's rapidly changing logistics business environment, wherein manufacturers are shifting their operations further inland, necessitating greater inland penetration by international logistics firms.

Frankfurt airport, Europe’s largest air freight hub, posted another monthly decline in traffic in June, tracking slowing growth at its largest customer, Lufthansa Cargo.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, saw its group net profit soar in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 on the back of robust international revenue growth driven by the weak yen and increased air cargo traffic.

China’s HNA group is in a bid battle for Avolon, one of the world’s largest aircraft lessors, just days after agreeing the $2.8 billion acquisition of Swissport, the world’s largest airport cargo handler.

Blue Dart Express, India’s leading air express and logistics service provider, posted a big jump in net earnings in the first fiscal quarter, as income from operations increased significantly, driven by new business strategies.

TNT Express posted a 6.2 percent increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by a stronger dollar and growing business from small and medium-sized customers.

UPS expanded the insurance and logistics services it offers shippers of high-value cargo such as jewelry by acquiring Insured Parcel Services from G4S, a global integrated security company.

UPS added eight origin and five destination countries to its expedited Worldwide Express Freight service, which now serves 58 countries. The service focuses on urgent, heavy-weight palletized freight.

The air freight momentum generated by a solid first quarter has been well and truly lost with the world’s market leader reporting flat growth in June and falling load factors.

One of the world’s largest air cargo handler Worldwide Flight Services has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in the German Fraport Cargo Services, further expanding its reach into the European market.

Global air cargo traffic grew 2.1 percent in May from a year ago, the lowest monthly increase in 2015, as volume contracted in North and South America and Europe, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Freight forwarders and logistics providers today hailed a government-appointed commission’s call for a third runway to be built at London Heathrow airport, Europe’s fourth largest air cargo hub.

The UK’s air freight shippers are nervously awaiting the publication of a long-delayed report that will recommend either London Heathrow or nearby Gatwick as the best site for a new runway in the crowded southeast of the country.

Asia-U.S. air cargo freight rates have continued to slide as port operations on the West Coast have sharpened up since the crushing congestion at the beginning of the year, according to data from Drewry.

LONDON – Lufthansa Cargo and All Nippon Airways Cargo will launch joint freight services from Europe to Japan on August 3, eight months after they joined forces on the westbound route.

The ugly specter of a protectionist trade dispute was raised at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Miami where the long-running subsidy allegations levelled against Gulf carriers by U.S. airlines again hit the headlines.

London-Global air freight traffic increased 3.3 percent in April from a year ago, but lagged the 5.3 percent rise in the first quarter as world trade growth slowed, the International Air Transport Association reported.

The air cargo industry is riding a tailwind right now. And while growth hasn’t been spectacular by any means, industry insiders say it’s been sustained and healthy — a vast improvement from where it was just a year ago.

Plans to construct an international air cargo gateway in St. Louis took another step forward this week after the city’s airport commission approved the project in a unanimous vote.

TNT Express said it will open talks shortly with potential buyers of its cargo airlines following FedEx’s agreed 4.4 billion-euro ($4.8 billion) takeover.

Kerry Logistics plans to build a regional express delivery platform in China and across the Asean region to capitalise on a rapidly growing segment of the logistics business, but it will be a cautious entry into a difficult market.

Air cargo leaving India has been hit with severe delays because of poor weather and the lingering impact of U.S. West Coast port congestion on world trade, according to a U.S. freight forwarder specializing in air and ocean freight in the Far East.

TNT Express slumped to a 137 million euros [US $156 million] net loss in the fourth quarter of 2014 from a 32 million euros profit in the same period in 2013, driven mainly by restructuring charges tied to an abortive takeover bid by its larger rival, UPS, two years ago.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s top international freight forwarder, posted a big jump in group net profit in the first three quarters of fiscal 2014, as revenue from overseas operations grew robustly, helped by a weaker yen.

Blue Dart Express, India’s leading air express and logistics service provider, reported a 19 percent rise in net income to Rs. 27.13 crore (US $4.4 million) for its third quarter, which ended Dec. 31.

Amsterdam Schiphol airport said cargo traffic got off to a slow start this year because increased trans-Pacific shipper demand for air cargo services due to U.S. West Coast port congestion is diverting freighters from Asia-Europe routes to the Pacific.

Lufthansa Cargo is “cautiously optimistic” about its performance in 2015 after filling nearly 70 percent of its capacity in a fiercely competitive market last year, CEO Peter Greber said.

London Heathrow increased air freight traffic by 5.3 percent in 2014, driven by a surge in shipments to key emerging markets, but capacity restraints are threatening to slow growth at Europe’s fourth largest cargo hub.

Larger international shippers increasingly use UPS's expedited freight service as a strategic "cushion" or aid in supply chain planning, as well as for urgent shipments.

Following a strong end to 2014, global air freight demand will rise 4.5 percent in 2015, outpacing the growth of world trade, the International Air Transport Association says.

Global air cargo revenue will rise to $63 billion in 2015 from an estimated $60 billion this year, but will remain roughly 5 percent lower than in 2010, according to the International Air Transport Association.

FedEx and UPS have boosted their on-time delivery performance to 91 to 95 percent, compared with 83 to 89 percent a year ago, bolstering hopes for a happier holiday season.

India’s fast growing e-commerce market is facing some formidable challenges, with nation-wide distribution among the key issues logistics services providers must overcome.

Nippon Express Co., Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, said on Monday that it has acquired a controlling stake in Nittsu NEC Logistics Ltd., its joint venture with electronics maker NEC Corp.

The rapid expansion of China’s largest courier SF Express both internationally and across domestic cities over the past two years has been stunning, yet the growth of e-commerce in its home market is always one step ahead.