A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has appointed Bruno Plantaz as new Global Head of Solutions and member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team, effective 1 November 2026.
Bruno Plantaz brings extensive international experience in freight forwarding and contract logistics, including ten years with Kuehne+Nagel and more than a decade with CEVA Logistics, where he held senior leadership roles across Asia Pacific, Southern Europe, India, the Middle East and Africa.
Bruno Plantaz succeeds Narin Phol, who will leave the company at the end of September. During his time a Maersk, Narin Phol has held several senior leadership roles across Maersk, including in Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa, and North America, and he has played an important role in bringing the Logistics & Service business to where it is today always with a strong focus on serving customers.
After a 24-years long career at Maersk, Chief People Officer Susana Elvira has decided that time has come for her to explore opportunities outside Maersk. Susana Elvira has played a pivotal role in shaping Maersk as an attractive and inclusive workplace for talented colleagues across the globe. She will leave the company in mid-October. Her successor has been appointed and will join Maersk on 1 November 2026. Further details will be announced in due course and in coordination with current employer.
As Edinburgh welcomes thousands of visitors for the start of its world-famous summer Festivals from this week, Logistics UK is highlighting the vital role the logistics industry plays in delivering one of the world’s largest cultural events.
Festival audiences are likely to exceed four million people, and the city’s population is expected to double to over one million during August. Described as “economic powerhouses”, Edinburgh’s Festivals generated almost £560 million for Edinburgh and £850 million for the wider Scottish economy in 2025.
“None of this would be possible without the contribution of the logistics sector,” commented Logistics UK’s Chief Executive Ben Fletcher. “Behind every performance and packed venue lies a complex logistics operation that keeps performances and the city moving and help create the Edinburgh Festivals’ unique and vibrant atmosphere.
“From transporting staging, sound and lighting equipment to supplying food, drink and essential goods to venues across the city, the Edinburgh Fringe showcases how the logistics sector works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep events running smoothly so hundreds of thousands of visitors have a great time. Much of this work happens while the city sleeps, to ensure that everything runs like clockwork when the curtains go up.”
The latest Impact Study produced by Festivals Edinburgh, a collective that maintains all the Festivals, describes them as “economic powerhouses” expected to make a gross contribution to the Scottish economy of £4.26 billion over the next five years.
And according to a University of Glasgow study, the Fringe Festival alone supports an estimated 3,000 jobs and in 2025 it sold 2.6 million tickets and welcomed 750,000 visitors.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s Head of Artist Services Chris Snow added: “We’re proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of people every year to Edinburgh for the Fringe, a festival that is undoubtedly the world’s greatest platform for creative freedom.
“Alongside the artists telling their stories on stages across the city, the festival has a vital community of producers, technical and logistics specialists behind the scenes. Together they help nearly 4,200 shows make the most of this incredible platform. The logistic organisations who help make this festival possible also support thousands of jobs across the UK creative industries. We are grateful for their hard work, dedication and support, and thank them on behalf of the thousands of Fringe artists in town this August.”
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.
Kuehne+Nagel has invested in a new Container Freight Station (CFS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Scheduled for completion in June 2027, the facility will provide more than 20,000 sqm of warehouse space, helping customers manage growing trade volumes and move goods more efficiently within Cambodia and across the region.
Cambodia continues to strengthen its trade infrastructure, with Phnom Penh Autonomous Port handling around 600,000 TEUs and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port approximately 1.3 million TEUs in 2025. Complementing this growth, the new CFS is strategically located near key transport gateways, including both ports, Phnom Penh International Airport and cross-border road links to Thailand and Vietnam, facilitating cargo movements across the country and supporting regional logistics operations.
David Roussiere, Managing Director, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, Kuehne+Nagel, said: “This investment will more than triple our CFS capacity in Cambodia and strengthen our logistics capabilities in the country. With direct access to key transportation gateways and regional trade corridors, the facility will support customers in the consumer good industry as they navigate evolving supply chains and growing trade opportunities across the region.”
Designed for cargo consolidation and handling operations, the new CFS will feature a raised-floor warehouse equipped with loading doors and dock levellers. It will offer a floor loading capacity of five tonnes per square metre and is expected to be certified to ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards.
The facility will also incorporate sustainability features including solar panels, skylight roofing, LED lighting, battery-operated forklifts, water infiltration systems and rainwater management infrastructure.
The investment reflects Kuehne+Nagel’s continued focus on strengthening its logistics infrastructure in high-growth markets and supporting the expansion of regional and international trade.
Today, the Memphis community and FedEx team members worldwide came together to honor the legacy of the late FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith.
In a dual tribute, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority celebrated the renaming of the Memphis International Airport in his honor, coinciding with the inaugural FedEx FWS Day of Service.
The renaming serves as a lasting tribute to Smith, who passed away in June 2025, and recognizes his unparalleled contributions to the aviation industry, the global economy, and the city of Memphis. Simultaneously, the day of service honors his profound civic pride and philosophy of community leadership by committing to do good in the communities where team members live and work.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Smith chose Memphis as the home for Federal Express in 1973, citing its strategic geographic location and reliable weather. Over the subsequent five decades, Smith deeply invested in the city’s future, ensuring the partnership between the airport, the city of Memphis, and FedEx helped shape the region into a critical hub for global commerce and economic development. As a visible tribute to this shared history, FedEx today unveiled a new mural along Plough Boulevard. The artwork features a portrait of Smith composed of the iconic FedEx purple aircraft tails – a fitting gateway image for travelers arriving and departing the city he helped champion.
“Moving forward, every plane, person, and package that passes through Frederick W. Smith International Airport will carry the spirit of our visionary founder and the pride of a city that connects the world,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation.
Memphis was more than just a headquarters to Smith; it was his hometown, and he fiercely championed its civic and economic prosperity. Today, FedEx delivers over 18 million packages a day around the world. Of those, the Memphis World Hub — located at the newly dedicated airport — sorts more than 2.4 million packages daily.
The event concluded with a ceremonial landing of Flight 1944, a FedEx 777 painted in the company’s original purple and orange livery. The flight number honors the year Smith was born. It made the first ceremonial landing at the newly renamed Frederick W. Smith Airport. The aircraft is named Rosie after one of Smith’s granddaughters who was born shortly before his passing. This naming continues the longstanding tradition of naming aircraft after employees’ children.
“On behalf of the entire Smith family, thank you,” said Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer, International, and chief executive officer, Airline, FedEx. " We are immensely proud to be a part of the Memphis story, and we are so excited for the future we will continue to build together in his memory.”
The FWS Day of Service also is a part of Purple Week, the company’s global, enterprise-wide celebration grounded in its “People-Service-Profit” (PSP) culture values. The week recognizes not just what the FedEx team achieves, but how they make it happen together. This week, there are more than 120 FedEx Cares volunteer and community impact events happening around the world, part of the company’s global community engagement program. Moving forward, this annual day of service will honor the late founder’s legacy by ensuring FedEx continues to take care of its communities and each other for generations to come.
CEVA Logistics, a global leader in third-party logistics and a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, announced today that its subsidiary, Colis Privé, has completed the acquisitions of Paack Iberia and Paack France.
The acquisition marks a new milestone in the development of Colis Privé, a leading last mile delivery provider in France and Belgium. Paack will significantly strengthens the company’s domestic network in France while enabling its entry into Spain and Portugal, two fast-growing European e-commerce markets. Approximately 490 employees are joining Colis Privé as part of the transaction.
Paack Iberia and Paack France are last mile logistics providers specializing in parcel delivery for the e-commerce sector. In supporting leading players in online retail, both companies are recognized for their technology-driven solutions, extensive distribution networks and expertise in home delivery and out-of-home delivery services.
The acquisition of Paack supports Colis Privé’s ambition to build a leading pan-European platform in the last-mile delivery market and to support its customers’ international growth while addressing the specific needs of each local market.
Colis Privé will now operate a network of 82 sites across the Iberian Peninsula, including 61 partner distribution centers, 21 hubs and cross docks, and more than 5,000 active pickup points. In France, Paack’s six locations will complement and further strengthen Colis Privé’s existing nationwide distribution network.
DHL Supply Chain has been appointed to provide aftermarket parts logistics for AION, the electrified brand behind the UK’s most competitive aftersales promise.
The partnership has prepared for AION’s UK launch over several months and is now ready to provide nationwide next-day parts distribution, ensuring that customers’ cars can get back on the road without delay.
With the first AION V SUVs delivered to customers, DHL will manage parts storage, inventory management, order fulfilment and distribution through its UK logistics network. The operation launches with more than 1,250 genuine AION V part lines in stock and available for rapid nationwide delivery, providing retailers, repairers and accredited workshops with fast access to components when required.
The dedicated parts operation forms a key part of AION's industry-leading Great 8 Promise, providing eight years of confidence-inspiring support across the vehicle’s warranty, servicing, roadside assistance and MOT.
AION’s dealer network is expected to reach around 25 locations by the end of 2026, with ambitions to grow to approximately 100 locations by 2030.
The DHL-managed operation combines warehousing, inventory control and fast delivery capabilities, giving AION retailers and service partners access to parts within 24 hours across the UK. The fully digitised ordering system has been designed to minimise vehicle downtime and provide confidence to customers.
Ben Hurford, Aftersales Director at AION Auto UK, said: "We know that a common concern for drivers considering a new brand is whether spare parts are readily available should the worst happen. Even before we sold our first car, we partnered with DHL to establish and stock up a dedicated UK parts warehouse so we can respond immediately when a workshop needs us to ship parts to them. With over 1,250 part lines available from day one, the warehouse facility is a reflection of our long-term investment in AION and its customers, because a brand that earns public trust will grow sustainably.
“That aftersales commitment also extends to our comprehensive eight-year warranty - part of the industry-leading AION Great 8 Promise – which provides reassurance beyond the offerings of our competitors, with extensive bumper-to-bumper coverage and transparency around any limitations,” he added.
Paul Stone, Managing Director, Manufacturing Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: "We're proud to support AION's entry into the UK market and to bring our experience working with automotive manufacturers and new market entrants to this partnership. Fast, reliable access to parts is one of the most important factors in delivering a strong customer experience. By combining our warehousing expertise with rapid nationwide distribution, we're helping AION build trust with retailers and customers from the very start."
AION was founded in 2017 as an upper-mainstream electrified brand from GAC Group, one of China’s largest and longest-established automakers. AION Auto UK has been formed as a joint venture between GAC and Jameel Motors, a leading provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) has appointed Marcus Balzereit as president of FedEx Logistics Inc., the freight forwarding business unit in FedEx that combines international freight and value added service offerings supported by 9,000+ professionals in more than 50 countries and territories.
In this role, Balzereit leads an integrated global freight forwarding team, drawing on his extensive leadership experience across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With more than 25 years of extensive experience in the global supply chain, freight forwarding, and contract logistics industries, he most recently served as senior vice president of APAC sales & solutions, where he successfully led a dynamic, large-scale sales organization to strong double-digit growth across the Asia Pacific region.
“As we continue our ongoing organizational transformations to operate as one highly integrated enterprise, FedEx Logistics remains a fundamental pillar of our long-term growth strategy,” said Lisa Lisson, president Air Operations, FedEx. “Marcus’ unparalleled global experience, combined with his operational and commercial acumen, will be instrumental in leading this powerhouse team to deliver world-class services and solutions that meet our high-value B2B customer demand. As global trade evolves, his expertise will help us provide the visibility, agility, and cross-border capabilities required to navigate increasingly complex global supply networks.”
As the heartbeat of the industrial economy, FedEx plays a critical role in enabling global commerce, connecting more than 99% of the world’s GDP. FedEx Logistics serves as a strategic growth driver for the enterprise, strengthening the company’s capabilities to help customers navigate increasingly complex global supply chains. Under Balzereit’s leadership, the organization will deepen its industry expertise and develop tailored solutions for critical B2B customers in the healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and rapidly growing data center and AI markets. By leveraging a unified approach across parcel, freight, freight forwarding, and specialized services, FedEx Logistics will deliver more integrated, differentiated solutions that help customers navigate complex supply chains and succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Furthermore, the organization will continue to accelerate its growth in its core global air freight and ocean cargo operations to deliver end-to-end solutions on priority international shipping lanes. Coupled with ongoing customs clearance services, specialized handling capabilities for hazardous and oversized cargo, and high-value insurance solutions, FedEx Logistics will continue to deliver the agile solutions that differentiate FedEx and give customers a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
DP World has reached an agreement with GXO Logistics (NYSE: GXO) for the transfer of six contract logistics sites serving grocery customers, with more than two million square feet of warehouse capacity and 2,000 personnel.
GXO’s transfer of the sites was a regulatory condition to the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) approval of GXO’s acquisition of Wincanton, and has been approved by the CMA.
The sites, five in England and one in Northern Ireland, serve Asda, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op and will transfer to DP World in September. More than 2,000 employees will join DP World’s UK operations, which include major container ports at London Gateway and Southampton, logistics, freight forwarding and marine services. GXO will retain transport operations at all applicable sites.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in DP World's growth, expanding its contract logistics footprint in the UK and strengthening its ability to provide integrated supply chain solutions for customers in the grocery, retail and consumer sectors.
The six facilities add approximately two million square feet of warehouse capacity to DP World's UK network, and provide services for ambient, chilled, frozen, and bonded storage capabilities to support the grocery customer needs. The addition enhances DP World's national distribution footprint, creating a stronger platform to support customers through every stage of the supply chain, from port and terminal operations through to vast warehousing.
The sites play a critical role in supplying grocery products to communities across the UK, serving out-of-town supermarkets, branded convenience and neighbourhood stores. Some 46,000 unique products will be stored at the warehouses.
Angela Howard, Vice President, Contract Logistics, North Europe at DP World, said: “We are delighted to welcome these six sites and the talented teams who operate them into DP World. They support some of the UK's best-known grocery retailers and play a vital role in keeping products moving efficiently through complex supply chains every day.
“For our customers, it will be business as usual, backed by the strength, scale and investment of a global logistics business. By adding these operations to our network, we are expanding our ability to provide seamless supply chain solutions that connect ports, transport, warehousing and distribution through a single, integrated platform.
“This is an important step in our ambition to build a truly end-to-end logistics offering across the UK and Europe. It strengthens our presence in key retail and consumer markets, broadens our geographic reach and further enhances our ability to create value for customers.”
The agreement reflects DP World's continued growth in the UK logistics sector and its commitment to helping customers build more resilient, efficient and connected supply chains. By combining these new facilities with its existing infrastructure and logistics services, DP World is further strengthening its position as a leading provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions in the UK and across Europe.
DP World has partnered with Australian non-profit organisation LiteHaus International to launch a digital education initiative that will expand access to technology and digital learning for around 4,700 students across five schools in Fiji.
The initiative will deliver digital learning hubs, laptops and online learning resources to four schools in Nadi, as well as Suva Grammar School, helping bridge the digital divide and equip young Fijians with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world. The partnership reflects DP World’s commitment to creating positive social impact in the communities where it operates and supports LiteHaus’s mission to “digitise one million dreams by 2027.”
As DP World expands its presence across the Pacific, the company is also investing in initiatives that strengthen the communities where it operates, supporting education, digital inclusion and long-term economic development.
Nicolaj Noes, Executive Vice President, Oceania, DP World, said: "As DP World’s presence in Fiji continues to grow, we are committed to creating lasting value for local communities and supporting the country’s long term economic and social development. Through our partnership with LiteHaus, we are helping equip thousands of Fijian students with access to the digital tools and skills that will support their futures."
The programme includes the delivery of multiple digital learning hubs and more than 50 devices, providing students and teachers with greater access to technology-enabled learning. Students will also get access to DP World’s Global Education Platform (GEP) which hosts multiple e-learning modules on various topics.
Rob Birnie, Head of Program Delivery for LiteHaus said, “We are proud to partner with DP World in the delivery of laptops to schools across Fiji. These laptops will enable students to develop essential digital skills, access new learning resources, and participate more confidently in technology-enabled education. They will also support teachers to deliver more engaging lessons, strengthen classroom learning, and better prepare students for a future where digital capability is increasingly important.”
The partnership aligns with Fiji’s priorities around education and digital inclusion while demonstrating DP World’s commitment to responsible investment and sustainable growth across the Pacific. Beyond the classroom, the initiative reflects DP World’s broader purpose of improving the flow of trade while creating a more inclusive digital future for communities in Fiji.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has appointed Amanda Francis as PR and Media Manager.
With 15 years' experience leading strategic communications across public and private sectors, Amanda will develop and execute a national, regional and trade PR strategy. She will work closely with senior stakeholders to support policy communications, raise BIFA's profile and present BIFA TV to members.
Amanda’s career experience includes developing thought leadership campaigns, managing high-profile reputational issues and delivering integrated PR and communications strategies.
Amanda’s appointment coincides with Ian Matheson’s move towards semi-retirement after 20 years as BIFA’s PR Consultant. BIFA thanks Ian for his longstanding contribution in raising the organisation’s profile and supporting its communications activity over two decades.
In the role, Amanda will be responsible for output across all communications activity, working closely with cross-functional teams across PR, digital and creative to deliver integrated and impactful campaigns.
Steve Parker, Director General of BIFA, said: “Amanda’s work building strategic storytelling across notable brands makes her a great fit for BIFA. We look forward to her presenting BIFA TV and leading a PR strategy to elevate our story to members and media.”
Dawn White, Events and Communications Director at BIFA said, “Amanda's appointment marks an exciting step in strengthening how we communicate BIFA's work and the value we deliver for members. Her experience will help us tell more of the stories that matter, raise BIFA's profile and engage members and stakeholders through compelling communications."
Amanda Francis, PR and Media Manager at BIFA, said: "I’m proud to be joining BIFA at such an important time for the freight and logistics sector. Freight forwarding sits at the heart of international trade, and I'm looking forward to working with members and the media to showcase BIFA’s expertise and the vital role the industry plays in keeping global commerce moving."
DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by ProCook in a strategic logistics partnership that will support the kitchenware retailer's next phase of growth in the UK.
The agreement marks the first time in ProCook's 30-year history that it has partnered with a top-tier third-party logistics provider.
Under the partnership, DHL has assumed responsibility for operating ProCook's 167,000 sqft Distribution Centre in Gloucester, managing both retail and e-commerce fulfilment activities. The transition has been completed successfully, with operations transferring to DHL without disruption to customers or stores.
By combining ProCook's retail expertise with DHL's supply chain capabilities, the partnership will support greater operational efficiency, flexibility and scalability as ProCook continues to grow its UK business.
Over the coming months, ProCook and DHL will deliver a joint improvement programme focused on enhancing operational performance and future capacity. This will include the implementation of DHL's technology solutions, including a new Warehouse Management System, planned for deployment during the first half of 2027.
The partnership is also built on a strong cultural alignment between the two organisations, with a shared focus on colleague engagement, responsible business practices and creating great places to work.
Lee Tappenden, CEO at ProCook, said: "This partnership is an important milestone for ProCook. As we continue to grow, we wanted a logistics partner with the expertise, scale and capability to support our ambitions. DHL Supply Chain's experience across retail and e-commerce logistics will help us build a more efficient and scalable operation, while maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect."
Spencer Conday, Managing Director, Retail and Ecommerce, DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to partner with ProCook and support the next stage of its growth. The successful transition of the Gloucester operation is a testament to the close collaboration between our teams. We are particularly pleased to welcome ProCook's colleagues into DHL and look forward to supporting their development as part of our business. We look forward to helping ProCook deliver greater efficiency, flexibility and long-term growth."
