Trust and loyalty have always been key to the U-Freight Group’s success since its establishment in 1968, and remain so as it looks forward to celebrating its 55th birthday this week with its first global sales conference since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

The event, which is due to start on Tuesday in Hong Kong, will see the international freight forwarding and logistics company seeking input from delegates on how it can build on a successful track record based on a legacy of innovation and investment, as well as cooperative growth.

Almost 200 delegates from U-Freight’s network of owned offices and exclusive agents will attend the three-day event, which will focus on various initiatives including the company’s emergence and ongoing development as a leading player in global e-commerce logistics.

Chief executive officer, Simon Wong said: “Since 1968, U-Freight has developed a network of subsidiary companies and long-standing exclusive agents, that offers the full range of air, ocean and overland freight and logistics services, and has become one of the world’s leading independent operators.

"Good relationship building is key to the development of trust and important in the current difficult global trading environment, and such meetings enable our international network of owned offices and long-standing partners to network and reinvigorate that trust, which will help them retain and gain business from clients old and new.

“Our longevity stems from our ongoing focus on yield and customer service, rather than volume and sales revenue. Plus, we have remained nimble in our decision making, and swift in our response to changing market conditions.

“Our flat management structure is another factor in our continuing success.

“Having reached the significant milestone of 55 years, our first international sales conference for several years will give participants the opportunity to explore how the local expertise provided by our own offices and exclusive agents – added to the international reach of the company’s service network – makes an unbeatable combination, enabling us to deliver service without boundaries."

FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight, subsidiaries of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), will adjust shipping rates on January 1, 2024.

FedEx Express shipping rates will increase by an average of 5.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export, and U.S. import services.

FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipping rates will increase by an average of 5.9%. FedEx Ground Economy shipping rates will also increase.

FedEx Freight shipping rates will increase by an average of 5.9%-6.9% dependent on the customer’s transportation rate scale. This change applies to shipments within the U.S. (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and between the contiguous U.S. and Canada.

The average annual rate increases are one percentage point lower than last year’s general rate increase. The price adjustments reflect incremental costs associated with the current operating environment, while enabling FedEx to continue investing in service enhancement, fleet maintenance, technology innovations, and other areas to serve customers more effectively and efficiently.

The following FedEx Express and FedEx Ground surcharges will also take effect in January 2024: Effective January 1, 2024, FedEx will be increasing customs clearance service fees on imports; Effective January 15, 2024, FedEx will assess the Additional Handling Surcharge and Oversize Charge per eligible package for international multi-piece shipments, instead of per shipment. The affected surcharges are the Additional Handling Surcharge (Dimension, Weight, Packaging, Freight, and Non-Stackable) and the Oversize Charge.

With its firm purpose of maintaining the highest standards in the air cargo industry and to continue guaranteeing the best practices to provide the best service to its customers, Avianca Cargo achieved its latest CEIV seal in the product category, awarded by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

On this occasion, the airline was certified CEIV Live Animals because it meets the highest standards, has an infrastructure that ensures the welfare of animals and a management system that is constantly seeking to increase the quality of service.

Air transportation of live animals is considered one of the most expedient, as it presents challenges in terms of the processes and details carried out, such as ensuring that these are the best to guarantee professional, careful, and compassionate treatment so that the animals have the best experience. This is why the requirements and protocols necessary for their transportation have been met by each participant in the Avianca Cargo supply chain, to ensure the safety and welfare of animals such as dogs, cats, chickens, horses, among others, during air transport.

According to Leonel Ortiz, Transformation, and Innovation Director at Avianca Cargo, "It is a pride to be able to obtain, in a record time of three months, a fourth IATA seal under the diligence of safe and responsible transportation of live animals, thanks to infrastructure improvements at the Miami station and the availability of our network for transportation. We will continue working with motivation and commitment to remain a benchmark of quality and the best partner for our customers”.

In less than two years, Avianca Cargo became the only airline in the Americas to obtain all IATA certifications: CEIV Fresh, CEIV Lithium Batteries and CEIV Pharma. This demonstrates the commitment of the changes made in safe and controlled procedures, infrastructure, and customer experience, taking to each of the bases and making the handling of products the most appropriate.

“Handling and transporting live animals is a complex operation given each species has its own specific handling requirements. Adding CEIV Live Animals to its CEIV Fresh, CEIV Pharma and CEIV Lithium Batteries certification means Avianca Cargo is operating within a validated framework that meets regulatory requirements. We congratulate the airline on becoming one of the first airlines in the Americas to complete the suite of CEIV certifications. Avianca Cargo’s customers can have the confidence that their special cargo will be delivered safely and in top condition,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

This certification is not just a seal of approval; it is the result of the constant effort to improve, provide the best solutions and guarantee professional, careful, and empathetic treatment of animals. Avianca Cargo will continue to work with determination and confidence to achieve excellence in every process in the supply chain, and thus continue to face new challenges and opportunities with customers.

Gate terminal and its shareholders Gasunie and Vopak, are pleased to announce that the final investment decision has been taken to expand Gate terminal’s storage and regasification capacity.

The expansion consists of a new LNG storage tank of 180,000 cubic meters and additional regasification capacity of 4 BCM per year. The new capacity is already rented out under long term commercial agreements and is expected to be ready for operation by the second half of 2026.

The 3 grey LNG tanks are located next to the water side - 4th LNG tank will be constructed next to these tanks. Photo: Aeroview
Vopak and Gasunie are the founders and owners of Gate terminal in Rotterdam which has been operational since 2011. The terminal plays a crucial role in the supply and availability of gas in the Netherlands and its neighboring countries. Once all envisaged projects at Gate terminal have been completed, the terminal will have a total regas capacity of 20 billion cubic meters per year.

Hans Coenen, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Gasunie: “The investment in this new tank is part of a broader package of proposed and already realized measures to increase LNG import capacity in the Netherlands. This is necessary to compensate for the loss of Russian natural gas and to reduce the scarcity of natural gas on the European gas market. In addition to expanding LNG import capacity, Gasunie is continuing to accelerate the energy transition. For example, through the construction of a national hydrogen network and the conversion of import terminals. We will also continue to focus on green gas, transport of heat and CO2 capture and storage.”

Dick Richelle, CEO at Vopak: “We are excited to build upon our successful partnership with Gasunie. This investment fits well with Vopak’s strategy to grow in LNG infrastructure. We are proud to develop and operate reliable and open access infrastructure as this plays an important role in the security of supply of energy.”

Jarmo Stoopman, Managing Director at Gate terminal: “Now that all elements are in place, we are happy that today we can start with the construction of this important expansion. We look forward to working with our contractors and ensuring a safe and timely construction of this 4th tank.”

The total investment is approximately EUR 350 million. The envisaged financing structure of this expansion is approximately 15% of the costs to be funded with equity and approximately 85% to be funded via a non-recourse project financing for which commitments are in place. The project financing is expected to be finalized by the end of 2023. The equity contribution of each of the shareholders will be approximately EUR 26 million with a cash out expected in the coming years.

The General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) celebrated the announcement of the concession contract for Container Terminal No. 2 in East Port Said Port to the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT).

APM Terminals is the majority shareholder and operator of SCCT.

The contract includes financing, design, development, management, operation, maintenance, and re-delivery of the Container Terminal No. 2 following the Build-Operate-Transfer principal. The new terminal will provide the port with infrastructure for strategic projects.

“This year we celebrated the achievements of East Port Said Port – which handles nearly 80% of the total container transit trade in Egypt - by ranking 10th globally for container handling efficiency in 2022, according to a World Bank report,” stated Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE.

“We also celebrated Mr. President’s ratification of the Container Terminal No. 2 concession agreement for the Suez Canal Container Terminal Company (SCCT), which is one of the most important success partners for SCZONE. The project will cover an area of 511,000 m2 with a berth length of 955 meters.”

The current terminal is operating with a berth length of 2,400m and a handling yard of 1.2 million sq. m and is the main operator in Port Said East Port, with annual throughput of 4 million TEUs. The expansion will increase volumes by 2 million TEUs to meet future customer demand.

The new, technologically-advanced terminal will operate on clean and renewable energy, based on electric equipment. This is fully in line with APM Terminals' ambition to become fully carbon neutral by 2040.

The project will also employ the latest generation port equipment, including 12 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, 30 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and 90 trucks, as well as supporting equipment and advanced IT systems. Once operational in 2025, the terminal will create over 1000 new direct jobs in Port Said, in addition to indirect jobs and business opportunities created within the whole port ecosystem.

“We appreciate the strong collaboration between the Egyptian government represented by SCZONE, SCA, the governor, and all governmental authorities, and SCCT to develop a world-class terminal in Port Said and encourage more investment in Egypt through Maersk group,” commented Mr. Steven Yoogalingam, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Suez Canal Container Terminal.

“We cooperate through a deeply rooted win-win mindset to create good jobs, catalysts for supporting business activities, and contributions to local community welfare (CSR). We are also thankful for the dedication, hard work, and great effort provided by the SCCT team which is the main factor that led to our recent success, and achievements.”

It is worth noting that SCZONE’s Board of Directors approved this project in September 2022, and the contract was signed on the sidelines of the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, last November. The Minister's cabinet approved the project in May 2023, and the Economic Committee of the Egyptian People’s Assembly approved the project Last July 6. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El- Sisi signed the law of the concession for Container Terminal 2 in East Port Said Port this August.

Fercam is set to transfer its Distribution (groupage) and Logistics (contract logistics) divisions to a joint venture with Dachser under the name “Dachser & Fercam Italia S.r.l.”. Dachser’s 80 percent share in the new venture strengthens and rounds off its European network.

The transfer of control is still subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.

According to the terms of the contract signed by the two companies, Fercam will detach its Fercam Distribution (groupage) and Fercam Logistics (contract logistics) divisions from Fercam AG and integrate them into the new company by the end of the year. These two divisions, which employ 920 people at 43 locations in Italy, generated some EUR 400 million in revenue in 2022.

From the beginning of 2024, the independent company will operate under the name “Dachser & Fercam Italia S.r.l.” and report directly to Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. As before, the groupage and contract logistics business in Italy will be managed by Fercam´s Distribution and Logistics manager Dr. Gianfranco Brillante and his proven team, whose expertise will provide continuity in the Italian market.

Fercam Transport (national and international road and rail transports), Fercam Air & Ocean, and Fercam Special Services (Fine Art, Fairs & Events, Home Delivery, Removals & Relocation, Archive & Documents Management)—including all international subsidiaries—remain exclusively owned by Fercam AG and will not become part of the new joint venture. Fercam plans to promote further growth and internationalization of these divisions in the future, including overseas.

“As family-owned companies, Dachser and Fercam are united by an understanding of values-oriented management that ensures the future viability of the company over generations. So we’re all the more pleased that we’re now strengthening our bond even more, building on our 20 years of collaboration to found this joint venture in Italy,” says Bernhard Simon, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Dachser.

“Dachser is a dynamically growing family-owned company with similar goals and short decision-making channels, making it an outstanding and reliable partner for us for all European transports. Over the course of our partnership, however, conditions have changed considerably, with market share concentrated among only a few European and global players. That’s why we decided to launch a joint venture exclusively for groupage and contract logistics. It´s a win-win situation for both sides”, says Thomas Baumgartner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Fercam. “This allows us to further strengthen our ties with our partner company while simultaneously solidifying our own position,” explains Hannes Baumgartner, Managing Director of Fercam. “Being a part of Dachser’s European network opens up additional opportunities for growth, particularly in exports. That creates security and stability for the future.”

The majority takeover of Fercam’s groupage and contract logistics business is the third major acquisition Dachser has made to expand its transport and logistics network in Europe, following Graveleau (France, 1999) and Azkar (Spain, 2013). “With this acquisition, we are closing the last remaining gap and rounding off our own groupage and contract logistics network in the major continental European markets,” explains Burkhard Eling, CEO of Dachser. “Our focus remains on growing organically and sustainably. In addition, this year we’ve strengthened our presence in key markets such as Benelux, Australia, Japan, and now Italy through targeted acquisitions.”

“Dachser and Fercam have been working together with great success for 20 years. During this time, we’ve gotten to know each other very well and gained an appreciation for one another,” adds Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. Family-owned Fercam, headquartered in Bolzano, South Tyrol, has been handling the distribution of all groupage shipments with industrial and consumer goods from Dachser’s European network in Italy since the start of the partnership, and feeds corresponding shipments from Italy into this network. “Fercam is a guarantor of continuity and expertise in Italy. Through this acquisition and other investments, we can further accelerate our growth—especially in the Italian market—and improve the quality of our offering even more. Our customers in Europe, Italy, and worldwide will benefit from consistent processes and uniform systems in the medium term,” Tonn says regarding the synergies and customer benefits of the new joint venture.

Thanks to their long-standing partnership, Dachser and Fercam are already fully in sync when it comes to operational groupage handling. Fercam makes a point of continuously investing in its logistics facilities, digital systems, and climate protection—the two companies are an excellent fit in this respect, too.

Dachser’s European Logistics business line did not previously have any locations of its own in Italy, so the joint venture will not result in any duplicate structures. All employees of Fercam’s Distribution and Logistics divisions will work for Dachser & Fercam Italia. Dachser’s acquisition of shares in these two divisions is also a symbol of the company’s commitment to make additional, sustainable investments in its Italian locations.

In the Food Logistics business line, which handles the transport and storage of chilled and non-chilled food, Dachser has been represented in Italy since 2017 with three locations and around 270 employees.

Supply chain resilience, digitalisation and sustainability are undisputedly the logistics topics of 2023 and are likely to have a lasting impact on the industry for years to come.

Consequently, they are the main focus of the conference program of transport logistic Southeast Asia and air cargo Southeast Asia, which will be held in Singapore from November 1 to 3, 2023. The opening address will be given by Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore), and Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport (Germany).

From November 1-3, 2023, global and regional logistics decision makers will meet at transport logistic Southeast Asia and air cargo Southeast Asia, the international trade fair for transportation, logistics and air cargo which will be held for the first time this year in Singapore. With nearly 50 sessions in the conference program, daily exhibitor events and the special project cargo conference, the conference program offers the perfect opportunity to get up to date on the latest developments in the industry.

The conference program kicks off with a keynote speech on supply chain strategies by author and logistics expert Mark Millar. After the Covid 19 pandemic, the Suez Canal average and the Ukraine war, supply chains came under severe strain three times in quick succession, making rethought and crisis-proof strategies increasingly essential for companies. Other highlights in the program include country sessions by Singapore, Germany, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, which will take place on the first two days of the fair. On the Exhibitor Stage, companies from the logistics, sea and air freight sectors, such as DHL, dnata, Gebrüder Weiss, Incheon International Airport, Jettainer and Singapore Airlines will provide practical insights into their sustainability and digitalisation strategies, among other things.

Another highlight of the trade fair is the Project Cargo Conference, which will take place on November 3, 2023, in parallel with transport logistic and air cargo Southeast Asia. It will focus on the trends, challenges and opportunities in general cargo and heavy lift in Southeast Asia.

"With transport logistic and air cargo Southeast Asia, we have created a platform that promotes the development of logistics networks as well as business relationships between Southeast Asia and key global markets. In addition, the multi-faceted conference program we are organizing with our partners offers interesting insights into the Southeast Asian logistics market," says Michael Wilton, Managing Director of MMI Asia, Messe München's regional subsidiary, adding, "With the Project Cargo Conference, we are also taking into account the fast-growing general cargo and heavy lift market in the region."

The events in the conference program are free of charge for all exhibitors and visitors of transport logistic and air cargo Southeast Asia. 

In an industry first, global freight forwarder Dimerco has partnered with Cathay Cargo to conduct a successful pilot of a new Air-Sea solution transporting shipments from Singapore to Dongguan, China via Hong Kong, shaving up to a day off the established Air-Truck schedule.

Dimerco developed the Air-Sea solution to provide a faster alternative to the Air-Truck service mode.

The Dimerco team worked closely with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to optimize the transit time for a shipment of integrated circuits for a leading semi-conductor distributor. Originating in Singapore, the shipment travelled by air to HKIA, then by sea to the port of Dongguan (DGM) and by truck to DGM Logistics Park and on to the delivery destination. The total journey time took just 3 days.

In a seamless operation, Dimerco coordinated the whole process, evaluating opportunities to save time and costs at each stage. After the cargo was released from the air terminal without the need for customs clearance, it was towed to the seaport. The sea portion of the operation provided a more cost-effective alternative to trucking, and Dimerco had identified that, with the planned introduction of more frequent sailings, transit time could be reduced by between 12 and 24 hours.

The three participants in the pilot – the Airport Authority, Cathay Cargo and Dimerco – analyzed the outcomes of the pilot and identified further efficiencies, including the documentation procedure and customs data integration.This will improve the process flow for future operations.

Dimerco’s Central Service Center (CSC) said: “Dimerco is always searching for ways to reduce transit times and save costs for customers, so we are honored to be the first freight forwarder to partner with Cathay Cargo, and to strengthen our relationship with other associates from the original Air-Truck service. Our Hong Kong team excelled themselves to such a degree we received a letter of congratulation from HKIA on the completion of the successful pilot.

More importantly, we can now offer two multimodal solutions to our customers for handling imports and exports to/from Southern China.”