Post-pandemic postal power-up 
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has published its first ‘State of the Postal Sector’ report, which identifies a link between countries’ postal development and national economic growth. The report finds a correlation between the levels of postal development and the intensity... more
Sal’s future-ready deck carriers
Sal Heavy Lift is expanding its fleet with two cutting-edge semi-submersible deck carriers, the ‘Zhong Ren 121’ and the ‘Zhong Ren 122,’ in partnership with Shanghai Salvage (China). These vessels, scheduled for delivery between December 2023 and February 2024 in Shanghai,... more
Aurrigo and UPS team up to develop ‘Auto-Cargo’
UPS and Aurrigo have announced a collaborative project to deploy ‘Auto-Cargo’, an autonomous electric vehicle designed to move heavy cargo loads to and from aircraft at the UPS hub at East Midlands airport, the UK’s second-largest cargo terminal. The vehicle can transport a... more
"Curiosity of the Day" 
Dragonflies can reach speeds of up to 42 km/h in straight flight. more
SC Ports CEO is ‘2023 Leading Woman’
South Carolina Ports president and CEO Barbara Melvin has been named ‘2023 Leading Woman’ by SC Women in Leadership. SCWL celebrates South Carolina women who have blazed trails in civic leadership. Melvin received the ‘Leading Woman’ award for her commitment to working across... more
Further China–Laos rail service inaugurated
A freight train loaded with fruit and rubber from Southeast Asia was ceremonially dispatched from Kunming (Yunnan province, China) on Sunday, 8 October. It will arrive in Shanghai after a journey of around 82 hours. It links the China-Laos Railway and the Shanghai-Kunming... more
Irish provider acquired by its board
On 25 September, the board of Toga Freight Services completed a management buyout (MBO) and acquired the full shareholding of the company. Toga Freight Services was founded in 1978 by Peter Toner and Martin Gately. It will continue to operate from its Dublin 12 site and... more
German maritime innovation grants
The German ministry for digital matters and transport is providing substantial funding to support sustainable and technologically open modernisation efforts in coastal shipping. Minister Volker Wissing handed out funding certificates worth over EUR 31 million to five shipping... more
Freight remains a friend
Air Belgium terminates passenger operations – not for the first time. Air Belgium is currently facing a high legal hurdle. It’s still searching for a permanent business focus, and sees its salvation in airfreight. It would appear to have had good experiences with a major... more
Up to twelve days faster Spain–France rail link
Maersk is launching a rail service from the Spanish port of Barcelona to the South of France. Starting in early November there will be three weekly direct blocktrains connecting Barcelona with either Toulouse or Lyon. Via Toulouse the solution also connects cargo to Bordeaux... more