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The latest Air Cargo News & Analysis

Logistics software helping blur lines between forwarder, shipper processes: WiseTech CEO

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 14, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT

Richard White said in an interview with the Journal of Commerce the logistics industry is stuck in a pattern of tackling small problems instead of viewing international trade as a large, connected system.

Logistics technologyForwardingAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

Air cargo facing non-existent demand growth for a ‘few quarters’: Xeneta

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 8, 2023, 10:07 AM EDT

A widening imbalance between available air freight capacity and demand has dragged global rates to their lowest level since the start of the pandemic, with no signs of volumes improving on key outbound routes from Asia.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Clark departs Flexport amid differences with founder over strategic shift

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Sep 6, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT

A difference of opinion over Flexport’s strategic shift toward fulfillment aimed at small businesses has prompted CEO Dave Clark to depart the company only a year after he came aboard.

ForwardingContainer shippingAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply ChainLogistics technology

Market interest ‘should be very high’ in DB Schenker sale: CEO

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Sep 6, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT

The German-based forwarder remains the largest and most attractive takeover target in a cash-rich industry where the main players are all looking for opportunities to consolidate.

MaritimeForwardingTruckingInternational railAir CargoAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

Data shows US in midst of extended period of inventory drawdowns: analyst

Jason Miller, associate professor of logistics at Michigan State University, and Journal of Commerce analyst | Aug 24, 2023, 11:31 AM EDT

Inventory drawdowns and right-sizing will keep Asia-to-US container and air freight volumes soft well into 2024, writes analyst Jason Miller.

Supply ChainContainer shippingAir Cargo

M&A activity in 3PL sector continues as investment firm acquires Ascent

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 22, 2023, 1:19 PM EDT

Two weeks after Forward Air acquired forwarder Omni Logistics, a private investment fund has taken over expedited third-party logistics provider Ascent Global Logistics.

Supply ChainSurfaceTruckingTruck brokersAir cargo forwarding

Logistics industry tiptoeing toward AI adoption: Freightos research

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Aug 10, 2023, 1:23 PM EDT

Shippers and forwarders recently surveyed by Freightos believe artificial intelligence will reduce headcounts in the logistics industry, even if they have yet to figure out how best to use the still-emerging technology.

Logistics technologyContainer shippingForwardingAir cargo forwardingSupply Chain

Falling air cargo rates remain elevated despite supply-demand imbalance

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 9, 2023, 10:44 AM EDT

Spot rates have fallen significantly over the past year, but there is still some way to go before prices are back to 2019 levels.

Air CargoAir cargo carriers

MSC adds Italian airline to expanding air cargo offering

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 7, 2023, 12:39 PM EDT

AlisCargo will join MSC’s air freight division in early 2024 as the ocean carrier steadily builds out its global air network.

Air CargoContainer linesAir cargo carriers

Shippers in control as summer slump, surplus space cuts air cargo rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 4, 2023, 10:39 AM EDT

Air cargo capacity continues to grow through the summer, outpacing weak demand from major destination markets with no sign yet of any turnaround.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Tough market conditions slow DHL’s H1 profitability

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Aug 1, 2023, 10:16 AM EDT

A challenging operating environment pulled down revenue and earnings at DHL, but the Germany-based integrator remains in a highly profitable position ahead of an uncertain second half.

Air cargo forwardingContainer shippingLTLLast mile

Long-term chartered air freight capacity depressing market: DSV

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 28, 2023, 12:26 PM EDT

Forwarders in 2021 signed long-term air cargo charters to meet rising demand for air freight resulting from an overheated ocean market, and some of those charter deals are still in place despite a widespread demand slowdown.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Strategic focus on higher-margin business pays off for forwarders

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 26, 2023, 11:49 AM EDT

The decision by DSV and Kuehne + Nagel to protect yields at the expense of volume is allowing the forwarders to move into an uncertain second half in a solidly profitable position.

MaritimeAir CargoContainer shippingAir cargo forwarding

Major forwarders riding out slow return of traditional freight markets

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 25, 2023, 2:10 PM EDT

The CEOs of DSV and Kuehne + Nagel, shrugging off heavily distorted year-over-year comparisons, described their second-quarter results as “solid” and reflective of the evolving normalization of the air and ocean markets.

ForwardingContainer shippingAir cargo forwarding

Maersk grows air freight services with opening of Atlanta hub

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jul 19, 2023, 2:59 PM EDT

The 123,000-square-foot warehouse will also serve as a forward staging area for the carrier’s South Carolina-based flight operations that link the southeast US to Germany, China and South Korea.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Visibility product launches show cargo market open to new options

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jul 11, 2023, 10:02 AM EDT

Three new visibility products — from a hardware provider, a forwarder and a data provider — are evidence of a diverse cargo visibility market that is expanding options for shippers.

Logistics technologyContainer shippingSurfaceAir CargoSupply Chain

'Nasty’ air cargo market puts forwarders under pressure: Xeneta

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jul 6, 2023, 10:15 AM EDT

Weak demand from key regions in an air freight industry awash with excess capacity is forcing forwarders with block space agreements to fend off aggressive pricing policies by rivals.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

South Korean entities to develop Chicago, New Jersey transloading facilities

Teri Errico Griffis, Associate Editor | Jun 29, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

The locations were chosen based on their proximity to key rail, airport and port facilities, the partners said.

Industrial real estateContainer shippingTrans-PacificAir CargoSupply Chain

Maersk’s growing air freight coverage driven by in-house demand

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 21, 2023, 11:29 AM EDT

There is little demand to be seen in air cargo routes out of Asia, but the aggressive expansion of Maersk Air Cargo connections to the US and Europe points to strong interest from the carrier’s existing customers.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Regulatory support critical for aviation’s green energy transition: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 6, 2023, 2:53 PM EDT

The air and ocean shipping sectors have set out their decarbonization agendas, but policy help is urgently required to underpin investment in new fuel technology and production, a global trade group says.

Air CargoContainer shippingAir cargo carriers

IATA upgrades global airline outlook as recovery gathers momentum

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 5, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

The airline industry has performed better than expected so far this year, with the International Air Transport Association providing a surprisingly sunny financial outlook for an industry with a forecasted profit margin of just 1.2%.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Slow demand, rising capacity drags air cargo rates to three-year low

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Jun 2, 2023, 10:18 AM EDT

Air cargo carriers are set for a bleak few months, with high inventory levels and economic issues in destination markets further dampening the traditionally slow summer season.

Air CargoTrans-PacificAsia-EuropeAir cargo forwarding

Asian air cargo rates fall on rising capacity, cooling demand

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | May 5, 2023, 9:44 AM EDT

There are few signs of improvement in demand for air freight on major trade lanes out of Asia, while a steady increase in below-deck belly capacity is adding to the downward pressure on rate levels.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

DHL Express plans US physical expansion, including delayed new hub

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | May 1, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

International air express carrier DHL is building out its US footprint to gain greater density and reach in its largest market, its CEO for the Americas says.

Supply ChainTruckingAir cargo carriersIndustrial real estate

European green fuel regulations place airlines on notice

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Apr 28, 2023, 11:02 AM EDT

There are concerns that the latest requirement could force the price of sustainable aviation fuel higher, which would be felt in the pockets of airline passengers and cargo shippers.

Air CargoAsia-EuropeAirportsAir cargo carriers

UPS preps for flagging volumes with cuts in headcount, sort facilities

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 25, 2023, 3:52 PM EDT

Package volumes at the largest US package carrier by revenue fell farther than expected in the first quarter, especially in March, thanks to shifts in spending, UPS executives said.

SurfaceTruckingAir Cargo

‘Normalizing’ ocean, air markets drag down K+N’s Q1 earnings

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Apr 25, 2023, 1:48 PM EDT

The forwarder’s CFO said ocean freight demand in the second quarter was expected to be much the same as Q1, but there were signs that stockpiling by customers in major markets was nearing an end.

MaritimeForwardingAir Cargo

Maersk adds new China-US flights to growing air cargo network

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 4, 2023, 11:37 AM EDT

Maersk’s growing air cargo capacity is being used to plug gaps in connectivity in the carrier’s integrated end-to-end logistics offering.

Air CargoAirportsAir cargo carriers

High-flying trans-Atlantic air cargo volume posts March decline

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Apr 4, 2023, 11:03 AM EDT

Steadily increasing volume on trans-Atlantic air freight routes ended in March as demand growth slowed for the first time in two years.

Air CargoTrans-AtlanticAir cargo forwarding

CMA CGM air cargo deal with Air France-KLM takes off

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Apr 3, 2023, 11:20 AM EDT

The 10-year partnership between Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will dramatically expand the available air cargo capacity and global network of the France-based fleet.

Air CargoContainer linesAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Forwarders raked in record revenues in 2022 despite H2 demand collapse

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 31, 2023, 9:00 AM EDT

Historic highs in global freight volumes and rates in the first half of last year helped insulate third-party logistics providers (3PLs) from a market collapse in the second half.

ForwardingContainer shippingTruck brokersAir cargo forwarding

Forwarders grapple with new freight rate math on tech investments

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 28, 2023, 4:30 PM EDT

Forwarders that experimented with new software during the days of robust freight demand now face a dilemma over what technology produces actual returns on investment as volumes and margin shrink.

Logistics technologyForwardingAir cargo forwarding

German strikes over pay dispute cripple transportation network

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Mar 27, 2023, 11:36 AM EDT

German unions demanding inflation-busting wage increases walked off the job Monday, bringing the country’s transport system to a halt.

SurfaceForwardingRailInternational railAirportsAir cargo forwardingTransport, trade and regulation

Air cargo market weakens as capacity floods into service on major trades

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Mar 20, 2023, 1:20 PM EDT

In addition to long-haul passenger aircraft with significant belly freight capacity coming back into service to capture growing travel business, several airlines are adding freighters to the major trade lanes.

Air CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Freightos’ 2022 financials reveal losses amid improving operating margins

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 14, 2023, 5:20 PM EDT

Freight rate booking marketplace Freightos said its unprofitable business is seeing improving margins and that scale will help it past the breakeven point.

Logistics technologyContainer shippingContainer linesForwardingAir CargoAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

China recovery, pent-up demand signals air cargo growth this year: trade groups

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Mar 9, 2023, 9:46 AM EST

The post-pandemic recovery of China’s economy following the lifting of restrictions late last year is sparking increasingly optimistic expectations for the air cargo market in 2023 despite a challenging start to the year.

Air CargoTrans-PacificAsia-EuropeAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Acquisition spree continues despite downshift in container shipping bull run

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Feb 16, 2023, 10:26 AM EST

The container shipping industry’s profit margins are easing, but the appetite for acquisitions — from air cargo units to last-mile delivery logistics — isn’t letting up, writes Journal of Commerce Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi.

Container shippingContainer linesMarine terminalsAir cargo carriersSupply ChainLast mile

Overhaul acquisition consolidates freight risk management market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Feb 7, 2023, 9:00 AM EST

Freight visibility provider Overhaul has acquired a competitor that doubles its size and gives it deeper cargo monitoring capability in Brazil, Mexico, and Central Europe.

Logistics technologyContainer shippingTruckingAir Cargo

C.H. Robinson reaffirms commitment to global forwarding business

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 2, 2023, 3:25 PM EST

The largest US logistics provider claims “compelling results” from cross-selling surface transportation and air and ocean services, despite weak market conditions.

Supply ChainMaritimeTruckingAir Cargo

DSV books record result for 2022, but warns that bull run for profits is over

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Feb 2, 2023, 9:35 AM EST

Denmark’s DSV collected record profits for 2022, but the forwarder says a return to a more “normal” market has begun.

ForwardingTrans-PacificTrans-AtlanticAsia-EuropeAir cargo forwarding