Serving communities in remote Pacific Islands 
The Pacific humanitarian air service of the world food programme (WFP) launched a flight from Brisbane, Australia, delivering 6.5 t of medical cargo and moving humanitarian personnel to support the Covid-19 response in Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru. Cargo included PPE as well as... more
Transpacific rates push MSC into action
In view of rising demand and high rates on the Transpacific, MSC is launching its new Santana service for the North American west coast. The service will start at the end of August in the port of Yantian, part of Shenzen, and will "remain in place until further... more
Is reefer cargo going to take the lead?
The London-based maritime consultancy considers that seaborne perishable cargo will weather the Covid-19 induced economic storm better than the dry cargo trade. Worldwide seaborne reefer trade recorded growth of just 1.7% in 2019 to 130.5 million t, its weakest rate of growth... more
Freight rail line duplication fast-tracked
New detailed plans for two freight rail projects in New South Wales (Australia) have been approved by the NSW government. The current single freight rail track between Mascot and Botany will be duplicated and a new passing loop will be added to the freight line between... more
Promotion for Uday Sharma
Spoton Logistics has elected Uday Sharma to the position of COO. In his earlier role as director of sales at Spoton, Sharma is credited with driving the company's above industry average growth and profitability and successful foray into high-value market segments including... more
Pigs can fly after all
The Chinese pig and pork production industry had been slowly recovering from the 2019 African swine fever, but then outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic caused another blow to the industry. As life is slowly returning to a "new normal" in China, the requirement and... more
BAG issues ECMT licences for 2021
Application documents for ECMT licences for 2021 can now be ordered from the branch offices of the German federal office for goods transport (BAG). Applications must be submitted by 1 October 2020. The ECTM licence authorises road hauliers to transport goods across... more
Austrian fibres en route to China by train
Due to the high demand from Chinese brands and retailers for sustainably produced fibres, Lenzing is now shipping the fibres from its two Austrian production sites directly to customers in China by train for the first time. Operated by Nummer Logistics, the train was... more
Indian Railways introduces drone-based surveillance
Drone surveillance technology has emerged as an important and cost effective tool for security surveillance over large areas with limited manpower, the Indian government said. The Mumbai division of Central Railway in Indian Railways has therefore procured two Ninja UAVs for... more
Saudia Cargo returns to Shanghai in force
Saudia Cargo has expanded its cargo network with the addition of Shanghai's airport to its flight schedules which commenced on 15 August 2020. The carrier now operates two flights a week, originating from Riyadh and Jeddah using a B777F which has a 95-t capacity. Saudia's... more