AEROVOLT has confirmed that the first 6 of the initial 24 smart chargers will start to be installed from 4th August.

Starting with Sandown, Bournemouth and Lydd. Then moving to Lee-on-Solent, Shoreham and Kittyhawk a couple of weeks later.

This phase of the install process links up the UK Solent region with adequate safe range distances and diversion options for current operating aircraft in the electric market. In both the licensed and unlicensed aerodrome operations.

DP World, a leading provider of global end-to-end supply chain solutions, has welcomed five new customers at its latest facility at London Gateway in the first 100 days of operation, following surging demand for warehousing space near the capital.

The remarkable level of interest at the multi-user warehouse stems from businesses in the FMCG, manufacturing and industrial sectors. The news represents further evidence of the attractiveness of London Gateway’s location – just 28 miles from the capital – coupled with the comprehensive contract logistics offer of DP World, a leading provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions.

Jonathan Himsworth, Vice President Sales at DP World Logistics, said: “We are delighted that so many international businesses have already taken advantage of our latest facility at London Gateway. We offer faster market access on account of our unrivalled location and low carbon solutions, which help our customers to reduce the amount of CO2 in their supply chains.”

“Our bonded facility also benefits from Authorized Economic Operator certification, which means much faster access to cargo after it is discharged from a vessel. I would urge other companies interested in the convenience and flexibility of our services, which includes customs clearance and express quay collection, to get in touch to find out more.”

DP World now offers customers more integrated services to manage their supply chains. Its commitment to delivering an end-to-end to service is demonstrated by providing to customers a network of its own warehousing across the country, including at London Gateway’s Logistics Park, where the port-centric facilities mean less distance is travelled from port to warehouse.

Jonathan added: “We are recognized as a market leader in fulfilment, e-commerce and complex value-added solutions manufacturing support, assembly services and export packing, transportation management reverse logistics repair and service parts. Through technology and strategic innovation, we aim to do nothing less than revolutionise the movement of goods to the market.”

In addition to its UK hubs at London Gateway and Southampton, DP World’s offer includes the P&O Ferries and P&O Ferrymasters subsidiaries, and contract logistics businesses respectively, all of which are being integrated into the company’s global network. Operating in 78 countries, DP World now handles 10 per cent of world trade.

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., today announced that Alpine Air has joined its Pathway to Success Program for qualified pilots.

Alpine Air is one of America’s largest all-cargo regional on-demand contract airlines, including the transport of mail packages and other time-sensitive cargo for the United States Postal Service and the United Parcel Service.

“We have long respected Alpine Air for its strong reputation as a regional air cargo provider that also serves some of the same customers on our own roster,” said Patricia Goodwin-Peters, Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Atlas Air Worldwide. “Partnering with Alpine Air gives Atlas Air the opportunity to tap into a talent pipeline that includes some of the air cargo industry’s most experienced pilots.”

“Alpine Air Express is proud to partner with Atlas Air in their Pathway to Success Program,” said Bob Frisch, Chief Operating Officer of Alpine Air Express. “Atlas Air is a leader in cargo and charters with a large fleet across multiple aircraft platforms. This Pathway to Success Program provides a highly advantageous opportunity for Alpine Air pilots who wish to join an industry leading carrier such as Atlas Air.”

Potential candidates selected to take part in the Atlas Air Pathway to Success program will be granted an interview with Atlas Air. To be considered, candidates must meet these and other criteria: Must be an employee in good-standing with Alpine Air; Must meet Atlas Air’s minimum qualifications; 18 months of service with Alpine (reduced to 12 months with prior military flight training experience); Letter of recommendation from Alpine Air’s Chief Pilot; Submit an application to Atlas Air’s careers website; Complete an initial phone screening to collect data and schedule Atlas Air interview.

With effect from August 1, 2023, Karsten Dirks (53) will take on the post of Operative Managing Director of BLG AutoTerminal Bremerhaven.

Alongside the Commercial Managing Director Jan Bellendorf, he will assume co-responsibility for the location.

Previously, Karsten Dirks spent many years as the CEO of EVAG/ELAG Emder Verkehrs und Automotive Gesellschaft. "We're delighted to have gained the services of Mr. Dirks as an experienced manager and proven expert. We are confident that, with his profound knowledge of the industry, extensive experience, and excellent network, he will be a great asset to our team in the future," said executive officer and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the BLG Group, Matthias Magnor.

Karsten Dirks succeeds Jan Rosenkranz, who will leave the BLG AutoTerminal Bremerhaven at the end of August after acting as interim Managing Director. Matthias Magnor praised his commitment: "In the past months,Jan Rosenkranz has achieved a great deal and created a good basis for the renewal of the terminal. We're already on a very good track with our restructuring process, but there's still a lot to do." A major element will be reducing the number of vehicles on the core area of the auto terminal, which is still very high.

Starting from August 1, 2023 BLG will temporarily rent the disused Luneort airfield from Fischereihafen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH (FBG). The site consists of four sections totaling almost 186,000 square meters. One section, covering just under 24,000 square meters, is paved and suitable for heavy goods transport. Additionally, the former take-off and landing strips can be used as storage areas.

The new outdoor area increases the parking capacity by some 2,000 cars. "With Luneort as an external storage site, we can reduce the high number of vehicles on the core area of the terminal. At the same time, we will improve productivity on the water and land side," said the Commercial Managing Director, Jan Bellendorf. The vehicles will be transported over the distance of almost 13 kilometers by truck. "However, we're currently looking at greener alternatives," added Jan Bellendorf.

Dexterity, Inc., the leader in intelligent software for full-task warehouse robots, today unveiled the 3.0 release of its Palletizing and Depalletizing software (PDP) aimed at unlocking pallet operations in the warehouse.

With a slate of new features aimed at improving throughput, reducing installation and integration time and cost, and increasing flexibility of performance, PDP 3.0 makes pallet loading and unloading effortless for third-party logistics (3PL) providers, retailers, apparel manufacturers, and other material handlers.

Dexterity’s AI Software platform regularly releases new features that expand the capabilities of its core products. The Dexterity Palletizing and Depalletizing 3.0 software release introduces cutting-edge features that expand warehouse operators’ abilities to automate their pallet operations. New features now available for all Dexterity Palletizing and Depalletizing customers include -

Print and Apply Integration - PDP 3.0 enables 3PLs to automate their case-in-case out labeling processes. Dexterity automates Amazon FNSKU case labeling process, and other case relabeling value-added services.

Pallet Stacking - By enabling picking from up to 5 pallets stacked on each other, PDP 3.0 unlocks the utilization of its work cells by minimizing the time for pallet swapping.

Rolling Cart Loading Adapter - Moving beyond pallets, PDP 3.0 enables the ability to load and unload rolling carts, handling both boxes and plastic tote bins.

Fly-by Barcode Scanning - With faster barcode reading, PDP 3.0 barely slows down in loading and unloading cases onto pallets, meaning higher throughput and faster integration into warehouse workflows.

Sortation to Pallets - PDP 3.0’s ability to sort products directly onto pallets adds a new level of efficiency to logistics operations.

Since launching the Dexterity Palletizing and Depalletizing product in January 2023, Dexterity customers have received new feature releases that increase its flexibility and utilization rate in warehouse operations. Starting from its baseline performance, Dexterity’s Palletizing and Depalletizing can unload messy pallets with mixed goods at up to 700 cases per hour (cph), and palletize random, unsequenced mixed SKU cases at 350 cph. Upon release in March 2023, Palletizing and Depalletizing 2.0 added barcode scanning, label orientation, and a switch for toggling between palletizing and depalletizing in one work cell.

Now with Palletizing and Depalletizing 3.0, Dexterity has kept pace with customer needs for even greater flexibility in their workspace and the need to increase throughput and utilization.

"Dexterity’s AI software platform uses cutting-edge robotic and automation technology to drive value for our customers," said Cary VandenAvond, CRO of Dexterity. "With our Palletizing and Depalletizing 3.0 release, we’re providing even more features to our customers to ensure they are able to fully utilize robots in the full diversity of their pallet operations."

Like all previous Palletizing and Depalletizing releases, PDP 3.0 provides :

Easy Commissioning, Instant Productivity: Unlike traditional solutions that require extensive infrastructure and training before deployment, Dexterity's software platform and modular hardware configurations mean the system can be deployed in as little as 48 hours. Regardless of the case mix, Dexterity-powered robots handle a wide range of case mixes without needing training.

Effortless Integration: The Dexterity AI Platform eliminates the need for a data feed or warehouse software integration by integrating with external sensors like barcode scanners and imbuing robots with the ability to react to their environments on the fly. For example, Dexterity-powered robots intelligently pause when faced with an upstream bottleneck, ensuring optimal performance.

Full Lifecycle Support: Dexterity's Hypercare service provides training, real-time monitoring, and issue resolution services ensuring an effortless ramp to production and beyond. Regular feature releases add greater flexibility to Dexterity products, ensuring they are used to their full potential in production.

The biggest names in breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift will be exhibiting at AntwerpXL when it returns to Antwerp Expo 28-30 November 2023.

It’s fitting that an event hosted at the home of breakbulk will feature suppliers from around the world and across the entire breakbulk supply chain. Cargo owners and carriers, ports, freight forwarders and a host of shipping, maritime and supply chain experts will be showing their products, services and latest innovations at the three-day event.

 Major names already signed up include C.Steinweg, Conti-Lines, Grimaldi Group, MSC, Spliethoff, Fednav, BBC Chartering, Konecranes, Varamar, and Zuidnatie. They will be joined on the expanded show floor by companies such as Mammoet, Chipolbrok, Saudi Ports Authority, Katoen Natie, Deufol Belgie, Caribbean Line and Aertssen, Mantsinen Group, Aprojects, Navonus, Q Terminals, Port of Sunderland, Ultrabulk and Fracht Polytra.

Speaking at last year’s event, Frank Voet, commercial manager at Grimaldi Group outlined why his company values AntwerpXL: “We’re in Antwerp because it’s one of the biggest ports in Europe. AntwerpXL is a great opportunity to show off Grimaldi Group’s vast range of services all around the world.”

Reinaaart Van Den Broek, Northbound Trade Coordinator Europe Service at Universal Africa Lines agreed: “Antwerp is the gateway to Africa and breakbulk, so we have to be present and meeting all our partners and prospects.”

Many exhibitors use the event’s platform to showcase their products and services, launch new technologies and make major announcements. Others are drawn by its the huge networking opportunities. After all, as the only event solely dedicated to the breakbulk industry, and hosted at a global gateway, AntwerpXL is an ideal place for the industry to meet, connect and do business.

Margaret Dunn, Portfolio Director at AntwerpXL, comments, “The maritime breakbulk industry is growing fast and facing a pressing number of changes, challenges and opportunities. This means innovation, new thinking, getting even closer to current partners and forging connections with new ones are all more important than ever – and as our exhibitor list already shows, AntwerpXL is going to be the place for this to happen.”

Rotterdam Shortsea Terminals (RST) and shipping company Samskip, in partnership with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, have put into service a shore-based power installation, as yet in a trial phase.

Starting from 2030, European regulations will mandate container ships larger than 5000GT to utilise shore-based power. Currently, there is no established standard for receiving shore-based power using a low-voltage installation, unlike the existing standard for receiving shore power with a high-voltage installation.

This trial at RST aims to explore if operating a low-voltage installation at a frequency of 50Hz, instead of 60Hz, is adequate for short-sea vessels. Using a lower frequency for the shore-based power installation leads to substantial cost savings.

The terminal has taken the responsibility of building the installation, and the Samskip Innovator vessel has been adapted to utilise this new power source. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is closely involved in the pilot and looking forward to the results.​

This initiative marks the first-ever shore-based power installation at a container terminal in the Netherlands.

The Government of Spain, via the Moves Singular Projects II Programme, has granted 3.9 million euros to APM Terminals Barcelona to finance part of a pilot project for the electrification of the container handling equipment operating at the terminal, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 821 tonnes per year.

This world-first, innovative solution, is being developed in collaboration with its suppliers. It will include the acquisition of five zero-emission electric Straddle Carriers, four recharging stations, civil and electrical works, the IT network and the development of programmes and processes to implement the technology required for operations and recharging of the machinery. The aim is to provide greater understanding of the technical and economic viability of this emission-reducing project, optimise processes and investigate its scalability to other terminals where cargo is handled with similar machinery.

The Port of Barcelona acknowledged the project as essential to making progress in achieving the environmental objectives of the port and the city.

"At APM Terminals we are committed to reducing CO2 emissions and we will spare no effort in meeting our 2030 goals. For us it is very important that this is done in a collaborative way with the governments of the countries where we operate. If there is anything that definitely belongs to all of us, it is our planet," said Carlos Arias, general manager of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways.

In addition to lower noise levels and improved air quality due to zero emissions - in line with APM Terminals' overall objective to reduce CO2 emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve CO2 neutrality by 2040. The project is also expected to bring benefits in terms of equipment availability, improved maintenance processes and the creation of a cleaner and safer working environment by significantly reducing the use of oil in daily operations and waste generation.

As well as the fact that the new electric Straddle Carriers are zero-emission, the electricity contracted by the terminal comes exclusively from renewable sources. This has been the case since 2018, and will continue to be so until at least 2032, according to the latest agreement reached with the distributor, in line with the company's decarbonisation strategy.

APM Terminals is also working on machinery electrification pilot projects at other terminals to deliver clean, future-proofed facilities and end-to-end decarbonised supply chains, together with local and global partners, with an investment of $60 million. The Barcelona project is pioneering by winning the support of the Moves Singular Projects II Programme for Efficient and Sustainable Mobility, launched as part of the Spanish Government's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and is financed by NextGenerationEU funds from the European Union. The cranes are expected to arrive in Barcelona during the third quarter of 2024, with testing to take place until the second quarter of 2025.