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Vol.: XXI Issue 09; August 2021 04th - 05th of same month at G.P.O. New Delhi-110001; RNI No.: DELENG/2003/10642; Date of Publication: 03/08/2021
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Creating
awareness
with clear visibility
Digitally
realigning
expectations
Annual Issue
DIGITISATION
Choice no more, Necessity now
Editor
contents AUGUST 2021
SanJeet
Editorial team
Priyanshi Bana
Smita Kulshreshth
General Manager
Harshal Ashar
Sr. Manager
Yogita Bhurani
Manager
Gaganpreet Kaur
Priyanshu Wankhade
Sales Co-Ordinator
Jaspreet Kaur
26
Design
Nityanand Misra
Advertisement
Designers
Nitin Kumar Cover Story
Production Manager
Anil Kharbanda
Digitisation: Choice no more, Necessity now
Circulation Manager
Ashok Rana
10 18
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TECH TALK INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Creating awareness with clear visibility
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information in CARGOTALK is derived from sources, which we consider
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20 34
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Digitally realigning expectations Unmatched resilience
4 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.in
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
LUFTHANSA CARGO HAMBANTOTA PORT LA COMPAGNIE
modernises RFS increases bulk handling steps into air cargo
high-rack storage system The Hambantota International Port (HIP) re-
corded their highest discharge levels of bulk
cargo recently, when a shipment of gypsum
consigned to Insee Cement was unloaded
at a rate of 24,000 metric tonnes per day
by port operations. Thusith Gunawarna-
suriya, Director Procurement & Logistics of
Insee Cement says this was an extraordinary
achievement for a Sri Lankan port in terms
of speed and efficiency. “As the No. 1 ce-
ment manufacturing company in Sri Lanka, Business-class airline La Compagnie has
Lufthansa Cargo, supported by Miebach we import raw materials in large vessels. But appointed Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)
Consulting, is modernising the infrastruc- once these vessels arrive in the country, it is as its cargo handler as it enters the air cargo
ture for its road feeder services (RFS) at up to port operations, in this case HIPG and market. The airline has awarded WFS a
its Frankfurt hub. On behalf of the carrier, HIPS, to discharge the vessels quickly. The three-year contract to handle cargo onboard
two mechanical companies — Vollert quicker the cargo is discharged, the more its Airbus A321LR services from Paris Orly
Anlagenbau and Körber — will carry out benefit not only to us but also the country.” to New York’s Newark International Airport,
the modernisation of the RFS high-rack which will increase from four flights a week
storage system, including its mechanical, to seven in September. WFS already provides
control and IT features. Completion of the ground handling services to La Compag-
RFS stacker conversion is planned for early nie in Newark for its passenger and ramp
summer 2023. The complete moderni- services to Paris Orly and Nice. Depending
sation of the Lufthansa Cargo Center is on the number of passengers, each flight is
expected to be finished in 2029. expected to carry up to 3.5 tonnes.
United States of America
extends cargo-in-the-cabin exemption
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended the
exemption allowing airlines to carry cargo in the cabin of aircraft.
The exemption was due to expire on July 10, but Airlines for America
and others petitioned the administration to extend the exemption for
another year. They argued that cargo capacity was still constrained
due to fewer passenger flights and that allowing flights to carry cargo
in the cabin would help alleviate supply chain constraints.
CATHAY PACIFIC CARGO In the end, the FAA agreed for the exemption until the end of the
year. “The agency determined that airfreight capacity has not yet
introduces Ultra Track for been fully restored to all communities, especially those which are
real-time monitoring dependent on passenger airplanes for such service,” the FAA said.
Cathay Pacific Cargo is introducing Ultra Track, its multi-dimensional “The FAA therefore finds that a short-term extension of this
tracking product, to its network, with a phased introduction at 29 exemption will be in the public interest by supporting the continuity
ports across the globe. Cathay Pacific Cargo’s Ultra Track uses the of the carriage of airfreight.”
Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)TM Network, Tags and
Readers. These data-loggers and transmitters offer visibility to Cathay
Pacific Cargo customers who can now monitor shipments in near
real-time through the airport-to-airport leg of the air-cargo journey.
This is the first Cathay Pacific IoT (Internet of Things) application that
enables remote connection to shipments.
Ultra Track is suitable for pharmaceutical, perishable and other vulner-
able shipments. The loggers record and transmit data to Bluetooth
readers in the cargo terminal and on the airside ramp area.
6 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.in
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
DELTA CARGO QATAR AIR CARGO
revenues exceed pre-COVID levels, rolls out WebCargo by Freightos
to expand fleet throughout the USA
In its Q2 2021 financial results, Delta Qatar Airways Cargo announces the further roll out of third-party
Air Lines’ reported cargo revenues eBooking platform WebCargo by Freightos across the United States of
exceeding pre-COVID (2019) levels. America, effective July 19, 2021. Forwarders in the USA will be able
From March to June this year, the to conduct eBookings with access to live rates and available capacity
carrier’s cargo division, Delta Cargo, on the WebCargo platform. This will further improve their booking
posted revenues of $251m — a 35% experience with the airline, resulting in higher efficiencies and instant
increase on cargo revenues in 2019. responses for confirmation. The cargo carrier has an extensive net-
Rob Walpole, Vice President of Delta work in the United States spanning 12 cities with 145 weekly flights,
Cargo, commented, “Air cargo volumes thus offering customers more than 4,700 tonnes of cargo capacity
overall are back to pre-COVID levels, every week. Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Guillaume Halleux
but the capacity available to move said, “Following our successful launch across Europe, we are glad to
those volumes is less than what it was introduce WebCargo throughout the United States of America.”
Rob Walpole pre-COVID. So there’s an imbalance
Vice President between supply demand. I think that
Delta Cargo
will continue through next year —
certainly through the first half of next year until international passen-
ger services [and bellyhold capacity] get closer to pre-COVID levels.”
With limited international passenger services operating currently,
Walpole said Delta Cargo has ramped up its domestic network
and added that operating at major US hubs like New York JFK has
“improved our connectivity between Asia and Europe, and Latin
America, and in Asia”.
GEODIS ETIHAD CARGO
strengthens pharma and CargoAi agree on
offering with Gandon worldwide partnership
Transports acquisition
HAPAG-LLOYD
stops shipping cargo
from Singapore to
Bangladesh Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm
Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s biggest of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Aviation Group,
container shipping companies, has sus- and CargoAi, the SaaS application which
Supply chain firm Geodis is set to expand pended carrying fresh Bangladesh-bound provides air cargo digital solutions, have
its presence in the pharma market with cargoes from Singapore port, which may partnered to elevate the carrier’s API ac-
the acquisition of temperature-controlled worsen the ongoing container crisis in Chat- cessibility for freight forwarders as part of
logistics business Gandon Transports. togram port. The company has stopped it its digitalisation strategy. During the past
Geodis said Gandon Transports, which as per the advice of the Port of Singapore few years, Etihad Cargo has accelerated
specialises in the transport of pharma just a couple of days ago, according to a its development of technology advance-
products at controlled temperatures of 2°C document obtained by the FE. Hapag Lloyd, ments. This has culminated in the launch
to 8°C and 15°C to 25°C, has an extensive the world’s fifth-largest shipping firm by of its brand new digital platform, etihad-
network of warehouse and trucking services fleets, has a significant market share in cargo.com. Their latest collaboration with
that will strengthen its capacity to distribute Bangladesh as it carries nearly 9,000 CargoAi will further enhance this through
to pharmacies, hospitals and wholesalers TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of imports the provision of brand-new API accessibil-
throughout France. per month. ity for freight forwarders the world over.
8 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.in
TECH TALK
Time to catch up
with technology
Customising to the air cargo industry, CargoAi’s tailor-made approach is providing the latest digital solutions
that are simple to use for people who want to change their industry. Matthieu Petot, CEO, CargoAi,
shares his perspective.
Priyanshi Bana
Do tell us about the recent platform but digitalises more processes to change since last year by airlines
partnership with Finnair cargo. than just the distribution and the and freight forwarders. There is a real
Live Rates and Capacity are available on booking processes. For example, need to digitalise and catch up with
CargoAi.co and all freight forwarders forwarders can request ad hoc rates and technologies and processes that are
can make instant bookings directly on make their ‘e-quote’ enquiries online via now standard in other industries.
Finnair via CargoAi without the need to CargoAi, instead of sending emails or Digitalisation is bringing significant
contact their sales offices. They can also cost savings which will help in the
request spot rates via our eQuote tool
as well as track the shipments, get CO2
Forwarders can current situation that passenger
airlines are in right now. Digitalisation
emissions data and dashboards. This is request ad hoc rates is also where we are happy to help and
a great partnership as we are making and make their ‘e-quote’ can bring the most.
Finnair flights available on CargoAi in enquiries online via
every country they operate in. What are the plans and initiatives
CargoAi, instead of sending for the year 2021?
With a large number of booking emails or calling the airline We are continuing expanding
platforms available in the market, or its GSA worldwide (we have now users in 55
what makes CargoAi different? countries) and building new features
CargoAi is a tech company with Air calling the airline or its GSA. for our users (freight forwarders,
Cargo expertise and we have the • CargoAi offers the visibility of all airlines and GSAs) at the same time.
intention to digitalise a lot of processes airline schedules, and not only of the Our team is very strong and we have
in our industry. We started with an airlines that are connected to us. now a good name and reputation so
Matthieu Petot e-booking platform and our experience • We offer a more tailor-made approach we can continue to expand with all
CEO made us have a different approach: and are connected to the entire suite the great applications we receive from
CargoAi
• CargoAi is not only an e-booking of digital solutions with some partners people who want to help us change
which helps in terms of efficiency. their industry.
As other modern applications in other Do you think technology
industries, we place our customer first integration has become crucial in
and we have amazing feedback by the recent times?
freight forwarders that use our platform. Integration is the norm everywhere else
and air cargo has understood now that
What major challenges do you see there is no choice but to make rapid
in the air cargo industry? progress on it. It is perfect timing for
We are very far behind other industries us and we are happy to be one of the
in terms of digitalisation and we see most modern company in this space
a rapid acceleration of willingness right now.
10 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inTECH TALK
Technology: Key to
resilient supply chain
Generating forecasts on platform Mateverse, using AutoML technology, currently the fastest in the world, help
supply chain planners with robust and detailed forecasts that consider both historical data and real-time conditions.
Rahul Vishwakarma, Co-founder and CEO, Mate Labs shares details.
Priyanshi Bana
Kindly elaborate about Mate labs robust and detailed forecasts that ongoing disruptions, organisations
and services offered. considers both historical data and can no longer rely on traditional
Mate Labs is the fastest and most real-time conditions. Our current planning methods to address supply
accurate demand forecasting solution suite of solutions helps supply chains chain challenges. Mateverse provides
for supply chains globally. The forecasts optimise processes such as demand advanced analytics and insights that
are generated by our platform Mateverse forecasting, supply planning, demand can be used to significantly improve
which uses our proprietary AutoML driver analysis, crisis forecasting and how businesses model, predict, and
technology, which is currently the fastest new product forecasting. plan in order to reduce bias, identify
in the world. This allows us to provide trends, address challenges, and identify
agile and accurate solutions that are Our predictions are growth opportunities. We have created
unrivalled in terms of speed and accuracy. an end-to-end automated demand
real-time and 100X faster planning system that opens up a
Our predictions are real-time and than traditional methods plethora of inventory, distribution, and
100X faster than traditional methods and help companies with production possibilities.
and help companies with a 5-30%
increase in their planning/forecasting
a 5-30% increase in their What challenges are faced
accuracy levels. By focusing on data- planning/forecasting digitising the supply chain?
driven planning, a 5% increase in accuracy levels In 2020, we saw an acceleration
forecast accuracy improves the bottom in the digitisation of various supply
line by 1%, adding millions of dollars What initiatives are being taken chain processes, but most companies
to the bottom line. We work closely for a sustainable supply chain? failed to effectively implement AI, and
with Fortune 500 companies to provide Due to inflexible networks and demand planning teams were forced to
them with accurate and real-time unstructured data, organisations are revert to more familiar and traditional
demand forecasting, through which struggling to meet rising customer forecasting methodologies. The
organisations can lower the risk of expectations for quick delivery, implementation process is riddled with
overstocking, inventory waste and customisation, low prices, and lengthy, inconvenient decision-making
maximise production efficiency and sustainability as a result of market processes, redundancies, complex
Rahul Vishwakarma streamline purchasing. Our solutions volatility and uncertainty caused by workflow, poor KPI evaluation, and
Co-founder and CEO
Mate Labs provide supply chain planners with the pandemic. In response to these missed opportunities. Most supply chain
12 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inTECH TALK
planners are required to work with team to generate forecasts quickly and and reduce inventory waste even with
short planning horizons and generate shift their focus to demand shaping. marginal gains.
forecasts based on input from multiple
teams and sources. Do you think digitisation will help What are the plans and initiatives
make businesses future-ready? for 2021?
As a result, while implementing AI- Absolutely! The pandemic has Mate Labs is currently collaborating
based Demand Forecasting solutions, demonstrated that being resilient is with global Fortune 500 companies to
businesses should consider the not enough; supply chains must also be develop next-generation supply chains
following: extremely agile and dynamic in order that can be completely automated.
• Invest in solutions that are simple to to serve customers even in the most As a result of these efforts, the entire
integrate into the existing workflow of adverse conditions. With abundant supply chain should be managed by a
FactFile
the planning team. data and cutting-edge technology that single supply chain control tower. Our Our core AI approach has allowed
• Invest in forecasting tools that use makes analytics accessible to many core AI approach has allowed us to build us to build the world’s fastest AutoML
techniques like Scenario Modeling. In businesses in today’s digital age, there the world’s fastest AutoML technology, technology, which will help bridge
uncertain times, scenario planning will is a huge opportunity to transform which will help bridge the gap between the gap between supply and demand
prepare you for any market condition. demand forecasting. By combining these supply and demand by allowing supply by allowing supply chains to reduce
• Automating repetitive tasks is a good technological advancements with a chains to reduce response time from response time from 3-4 months to
idea. Look for scalable solutions that data-driven working culture, businesses 3-4 months to near real-time response. near real-time response. We have
will eventually reduce the need for data can reap the benefits of improved We have currently automated the currently automated the existing
scientists to duplicate their efforts. From forecast accuracy. Businesses can drive existing demand planning process and
demand planning process and are
working to automate inventory
data preparation to model updating, revenue growth, provide better service are working to automate inventory
management, vendor management,
AutoML can automate the entire data by anticipating and shaping demand, management, vendor management, distribution, and logistics.
journey. This will allow the planning reduce costs across the supply chain, distribution, and logistics.
AUGUST - 2021 CARGOTALK 13INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Striving for
seamless delivery
AI-based algorithms help make highly accurate decisions about vehicle and driver deployment. It crunches
and analyses historical data to allocate the right task to the right delivery executive at the right time.
Soham Chokshi, CEO & Founder of Shipsy tells more about automation in delivery.
Priyanshi Bana
Services offered automatically generating delivery through an enormous repository of past
through a single routes. It ensures that a delivery performance data and narrows down
platform executive follows the most efficient on a select number of delivery partners
Shipsy empowers businesses across route when travelling from point A to B who can execute deliveries rapidly with
the globe to ensure seamless delivery to C and so on. perfection. Also, KPI benchmarking is
management, gain end-to-end visibility critical when it comes to selecting 3PL
of shipments and boost productivity by providers/delivery partners. Shipsy’s
driving real-time communication across end-to-end logistics management
delivery stakeholders. Here’s a quick platform ensures granular-level
look at how we improve each of these tracking of last-mile deliveries, thereby
aspects of logistics management. The platform ensures seamless dispatch continuously benchmarking efficiency
execution. Automated dispatching and productivity of 3PL operations.
Delivery leverages AI-based algorithms to make
Automation highly accurate decisions about vehicle Shipment Visibility
Our AI-powered logistics management and driver deployment. It crunches and Poor visibility of ground-level logistics
platform automates core delivery analyses historical data to allocate the operations remains a crucial challenge
operations like route planning, right task to the right delivery executive in the supply chain industry. Our
dispatching, task allocation, driver at the right time. This eliminates the need platform ensures that enterprises and
onboarding, KPI benchmarking, and to maintain exhaustive spreadsheets logistics providers across the world
more. Shipsy’s routing engine considers prone to error and downtime while gain end-to-end real-time visibility of
multiple external and internal factors allocating delivery tasks. logistics operations. We ensure that
like delivery type, store-to-customer logistics stakeholders know where
Soham Chokshi proximity, driver productivity, weather When it comes to scaling delivery exactly a shipment is at any given point
CEO & Founder
Shipsy patterns, empty miles, and more while operations, the platform quickly crawls in time.
14 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inINDUSTRY INTERVIEW
on shipments. It expedites ticket/ So once the consignment is out for
issue resolution by raising red flags to delivery, the customer receives the
senior management regarding delivery tracking link to see the driver’s location
exceptions and emergencies. The in real-time and check the ETA. After
platform’s collaboration capabilities arriving at the destination, the driver
enhance decision-making, lowers places the consignment at the doorstep
delivery latency, and significantly and photos are uploaded on the app
improves accountability. as electronic proof of delivery (ePOD).
Customer verification occurs through
Role of OTP that a customer shares with the
digitisation delivery agent once the order reaches
Disruptive technologies like AI, IoT, them. For payment, customers with COD
data analytics, predictive intelligence, orders can request an online link and
natural language processing (NLP), and pay the amount through the same.
more are empowering enterprises to
streamline numerous complex processes Streamlining
in the logistics industry. For instance, operations
dispatch automation, automated We joined forces with ACT Grants
delivery scheduling, automated driver and Udhyam. They have been actively
allocation, ML-based route planning, involved in raising funds from
automatic customer notifications, the donors across the globe to secure
list goes on. COVID relief equipment like oxygen
The platform’s capability to provide concentrators, BiPAPs, and others.
granular-level visibility empowers Digitisation is not just about A substantial scarcity of the right
businesses to boost delivery productivity minimising human intervention in
by eliminating idle times, unnecessary the first, middle, and last-mile, more Shipsy’s end-to-end
route diversions, unprecedented importantly, it’s how businesses can
logistics management
stoppages, and more. Gaining real- optimise human efforts. Automating
time visibility of first, middle and last- core delivery ops improves the platform ensures granular-
mile operations also optimise costs by efficiency of mundane delivery level tracking of last-
reducing fuel consumption and vehicle operations, shrinks transportation mile deliveries, thereby
idling time. It mitigates chances of theft costs, drives prompt data-based
and pilferage and minimises vehicle decision making, simplifies audit trails
continuously benchmarking
wear and tear by constantly analysing and more. Digitisation ensures that efficiency and productivity
driver behaviour. people do not have to spend hours of of 3PL operations
productive time executing repetitive
When we say visibility, we also include tasks. Instead, they can focus more on tools and technology complicated
customer transparency. Shipsy sends out key business aspects like innovation, managing a heavy volume of inbound
live alerts and notifications to customers research and development. and outbound logistics for them.
regarding delivery progress to drive Our advanced logistics management
instant gratification and customer How route-optimisation can platform assisted them in streamlining
transparency. In other words, customers contribute to facilitating faster their operations by improving product
Digitisation are never kept in the dark when it comes and contactless deliveries? management, communication between
Digitisation is not just about to knowing where their orders are, who Our logistics management platform’s logistics partners, and other processes.
minimising human intervention in will deliver it, what’s the ETA, are there driver app allows drivers to check We digitised and automated the
the first, middle, and last-mile, more en route delays, and so on. customer preferences such as preferred product journey while eliminating
importantly, it’s how businesses can delivery slot, contactless delivery, manual intervention. Another such
optimise human efforts. Delivery mode of payment, etc., for the last- organisation is DTDC, which has been
Automating core delivery Collaboration mile services. Contactless delivery at the forefront of delivering COVID
ops improves the efficiency of Collaboration is key to delivery eliminates physical contact with the vaccines throughout the country. Our
mundane delivery operations, productivity. Shipsy’s advanced customer during the final execution of platform’s route optimisation and
shrinks transportation costs, drives logistics management platform the last mile. It could be for customer ePOD capabilities enabled faster and
prompt data-based decision making, ensures that delivery stakeholders are verification, getting customer signatures contactless deliveries for them for timely
simplifies audit trails and more. updated with real-time information as proof of delivery, or cash. and efficient disbursement of shots.
16 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inCARGO SLUG
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Creating awareness
with clear visibility
Focussing on end-to-end supply chain visibility and addressing air transportation issues and challenges faced,
Pharma.Aero is a powerful international cross-industry collaboration platform for the Life Sciences and MedTech
shippers. Kirsten de Bruijn, SVP Cargo Sales and Network Planning, Qatar Airways sheds more light on the same.
Priyanshi Bana
What are the advantages as a term opportunity for the Life Science shipper, the forwarder and the airline
member of Pharma.Aero? and MedTech and air cargo industry. together. Through risk assessments and,
The main advantages are data sharing, In order to capture and maximise as mentioned earlier, close collaboration
lane certification and direct collaboration the opportunity, the entire network between stakeholders, it is possible to
with other stakeholders in the air cargo right from manufacturing to the ensure that the right route, the right
supply chain and the opportunity to global distribution will need to come solution, the right packaging is chosen
make impactful contributions that together and work collaboratively to to ensure the ultimate goal of patient
improve the cool chain of pharma and ensure that the sector remains strong safety through product integrity.
healthcare products which ultimately and agile, providing quality products
benefits the end user. to patients in a timely manner. In To address all such challenges, earlier
these uncertain and unprecedented this year, we signed an agreement with
How will the pharma supply chain times, the air cargo industry is facing Validaide to provide customers detailed
become stronger? more risks than ever before. The station capabilities and lane risk
Pharma.Aero is a powerful international key success factors are community assessments on key routes at the click of
cross-industry collaboration platform collaboration, flexibility, transparency a button. We are investing in advanced
for the Life Sciences and MedTech and harmonisation of standards. temperature monitoring systems at
shippers, IATA CEIV certified cargo Through connection and collaboration, our hub to enhance visibility and
communities, airport operators and trust, transparent communication and control of temperature regimes across
other air cargo industry stakeholders. interaction with all members and our facilities.
With other members, we can contribute industry partners, Pharma.Aero tries
to ideas and projects that focus on to grow awareness in the industry and Is pharma the new future for
end-to-end supply chain visibility all new collaborations help strengthen air cargo?
and address air transportation issues this awareness in the pharma Transportation of pharmaceuticals and
and challenges faced by the Life supply chain. With our expertise and healthcare products is already a key
Kirsten de Bruijn Science and MedTech industry. This experience in pharma transport, we focus area for airlines and forwarders
SVP Cargo Sales and Network Planning will ultimately benefit the end user of have a lot to contribute as part of around the globe. As the demand for
Qatar Airways
the product. Developing agility and this membership and also learn from pharma transport increases year over
resilience in the life science supply other stakeholders. year in order to reach all parts of the
Developing agility and chain can create a stronger sector for world, several companies are focusing
resilience in the life science all partners involved. What are the challenges in on temperature management solutions
supply chain can create pharma essentials? to attract the high yield pharma
The demand for life science products Keeping cool chain products at the transportation. Life sciences and
a stronger sector for all is expected to grow in the next two required temperature range is a colossal healthcare will definitely be a focus area
partners involved decades and would represent a long- task that needs to be addressed by the for air cargo in the coming years.
18 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inINDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Digitally
realigning expectations
With accessibility and visibility playing a significant role, implementing technologies is proving to be challenging to
become more nimble, adaptable, and efficient to meet customers’ needs and expectations. Focussing on a customer-centric
approach, Jessica Tyler, President, American Airlines Cargo shares details about the recent partnership with cargo.one
Priyanshi Bana
Do tell us about the recent extensive data insights will enable us customer base expand and demand
partnership with cargo.one. What at American to regularly fine-tune the for a digital booking experience
are the services being offered? capacity we offer on the platform as has increased with the global
On June 16, we announced that needed. Overall, the partnership with pandemic, as well as ever-changing
American Airlines and cargo.one have cargo.one marks another step in our
entered into a strategic partnership. modernisation journey and another way
The partnership allows us to expand we are offering customers flexible and
Booking on American
our network offering onto cargo.one’s innovative solutions. And that’s really via the cargo.one platform
industry-leading e-booking platform our main priority, always looking for will first be accessible
for air cargo. Booking on American new ways to meet our customers’ needs. starting in Europe later
via the cargo.one platform will
first be accessible starting in Europe What makes cargo.one different? this summer, with global
later this summer, with global expansion I’m a strong believer that the cargo expansion following
following. Freight forwarders will be able industry must continue to innovate
to access our cargo capacity in real-time to enable us to engage with our flight schedules. This has created
and book with instant confirmation. customers in a more personal, an increased need for reliable, real-
and definitely a far more efficient time capacity information and a
cargo.one is an excellent strategic way. Flexibility and speed are clear overview of routes and services
partner because of their state-of-the-art more important than ever, and the available. cargo.one meets these
technology, customer-oriented interface, industry needs to continue to find customer requirements, proven by its
and modern product development that ways to quickly adapt. cargo.one’s 700% growth rate in 2020, and also
keeps up with the rapidly increasing customer-centric approach puts us provides a fast, first-class booking
Jessica Tyler
President
number of freight forwarding customers in an even better position to match experience and offers its partners like
American Airlines Cargo using the platform. cargo.one’s those requirements. We’ve seen our us a greater customer reach.
20 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inINDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Strategic partnership
cargo.one is an excellent strategic
What major challenges do you it a challenge or a benefit. The best experience. Our partnership with partner because of their state-of-the-art
see in the air cargo industry? way to prepare for the unknown is cargo.one is an example of that, as technology, customer-oriented interface,
I think we still have progress to make staying agile and adaptable, and we well as the automation and machine and modern product development that
when it comes to collective modernisation. MUST continue to look forward and learning tools we are using in keeps up with the rapidly increasing
It takes all of us, not just one player, to evolve. We are at a pivotal time in our conjunction with our iCargo platform number of freight forwarding customers
push the industry forward. We adapted to industry. I have used the term ‘Adapt to create efficiencies for our team using the platform.
the challenges of the pandemic, but we or Die’ many times with my teams. We members and customers. cargo.one’s extensive data insights
never know what is around the corner. We all may have paused on our future will enable us at American to regularly
have to be prepared to meet the world’s plans during the pandemic, but we Do you think technology fine-tune the capacity we offer on the
needs, and that means working the way can’t stop now. We need to keep our integration has become crucial? platform as needed.
the world works. Our technology and tools continuous improvement mindset and Absolutely. I’ve said before that
need to match those of other industries if look for ways we can adapt, grow and sometimes there’s a sense of fear
we want to continue to evolve. So I think move forward. around technology change – and I love
the challenge is that we have work to do that. Change is good, and it’s the
implementing technologies that can make We will continue to use modern only way to grow. The way we
us more nimble, adaptable, and efficient technology and tools to provide our work might change, but part of
in the way we work together along the customers with an improved shipping the learning is learning to let
supply chain. the technology work for
us. These technology
What are the plans and initiatives integrations are
for the year 2021? aimed at doing
I believe that 5-year plans are just that.
things of the past. The pandemic has
reminded us that we have no idea
what may be around the corner – be
AUGUST - 2021 CARGOTALK 21INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Serving nations
in a cool way
With an extensive flight network and modern aircraft fleet, Emirates has been able to fly in vaccines from manufacturing
locations to Dubai and then to developing markets who may not have adequate cold chain infrastructure required for storage
of vaccines. Abdulla Al-Khallafi, Cargo Manager – India & Nepal, Emirates dwells on details of cool chain infrastructure.
Priyanshi Bana
Could you please share the handling COVID-19 vaccines in Dubai. environments and these requirements
details of your latest expansion To further strengthen our temperature- vary depending upon the vaccines.
of cool chain infrastructure at sensitive pharma and vaccine handling Emirates SkyCargo has industry-
Dubai airport? capabilities in Dubai, we have now leading capabilities in catering to the
In October 2020, Emirates SkyCargo set extended the fully automated cool transportation requirements of most of
up a dedicated GDP-certified airside hub room in the facility by adding 94 airline the vaccine manufacturers. Our state-of-
at Dubai International Airport with over pallet positions. Through this extension, the-art GDP facility in Dubai; innovative
20,000 sq. metres of EU GDP-certified we have gained an additional 2,600 thermal covers; and cool dollies, ensure
cool chain infrastructure for storing and sq. metres of temperature-controlled that pharmaceuticals and vaccines
environment (2-25° Celsius) required are kept at optimum temperature
for the storage and handling of vaccines throughout. Latest innovations
and other pharmaceuticals at the in tracking and monitoring of the
purpose-built GDP-certified facility in temperature, location, humidity, etc. of
Dubai. With this new addition, we can vaccines shipments is possible.
hold an estimated 60-90 million doses
of COVID-19 vaccines at one time. The Capacity is also a crucial aspect of
additional capacity will not only help planning. The geographic location of our
us maintain our position as an industry vaccine hub in Dubai is within only an
leader in the air transportation of 8-hour flying radius of more than two-
pharmaceuticals, but also enable our thirds of the world’s population. With
Dubai hub to meet the growing demand our hub in Dubai and our extensive
for the transportation of COVID-19 flight network and modern aircraft
vaccines in the region. fleet we are able to fly in vaccines
from manufacturing locations to
What challenges do you see in Dubai and then to developing markets
moving vaccines worldwide? who may not have adequate cold
The transportation of vaccines is a chain infrastructure required for storage
sophisticated process that requires of vaccines.
expertise, capabilities, and most
importantly, capacity. At Emirates How has the COVID-19 impacted
SkyCargo, an elaborate planning the pharmaceuticals industry?
process ensures that these aspects The air cargo industry has been one of
are addressed so that the integrity of the most resilient and high-performing
the vaccines is preserved throughout industries during the pandemic.
Abdulla Al-Khallafi
transportation. Vaccines need to be Emirates SkyCargo is one of the first
Cargo Manager – India & Nepal, Emirates stored in controlled-temperature air cargo carriers to begin extensive
22 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inINDUSTRY INTERVIEW
preparations during the early stages of during the FY 20/21, Emirates SkyCargo What is your take on technology
the pandemic for the transportation of helped exports of more than 25,000 integration becoming crucial?
Our investments
essential commodities. We innovated tonnes of perishables from India to the Emirates SkyCargo has continually in the cool chain ‘fit for
by operating cargo-only passenger rest of the world. We also moved 100 invested in technologies, over the years, purpose’ EU GDP-certified
flights, mini-freighters and even loading million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in to cater to the evolving needs of our
capabilities enable
cargo on overhead bins to maintain total across the network. customers. These investments now
the supply of essential commodities enable us to maintain our leadership us to offer origin-to-
including food, medicine, PPE kits What new initiatives does the position in the air cargo transportation destination temperature
and medical equipment across the airline plan to adopt? industry while catering to dynamic protection
world. The pandemic has revealed the Emirates SkyCargo’s EU GDP-certified demands of the pandemic. Our
importance of air freight and the quick airside distribution hub in Dubai is the investments in the cool chain ‘fit for
transportation of lifesaving medicines world’s largest dedicated airside hub for purpose’ EU GDP-certified capabilities
and other essential commodities. This the storage and distribution of COVID-19 enable us to offer origin-to-destination
points to the need for continuous vaccines. It enables us to store large temperature protection. For example,
investment and innovation in quantities of the COVID-19 vaccines cool dollies help protect temperature-
providing solutions that meet the needs in Dubai while transporting smaller sensitive cargo during transit between
of our customers. quantities to markets that have limited the aircraft and cargo terminal.
cool chain infrastructure. The recent
What is the volume of tonnage expansion of our airside facility is the Where do you see air cargo
the airline has been carrying latest step towards meeting a growing industry in five years?
globally? demand and ensuring a continuous Air cargo industry has gone through
During 2020-21, we rapidly scaled supply of vaccines across the world. an important reinvention during 2020.
up our global cargo operations and We had never anticipated a situation
network to ensure the supply of essential Additionally, Emirates SkyCargo is part where we would be using passenger
commodities. To meet the strong demand of many strategic initiatives to improve aircraft uniquely for cargo and yet
that emerged across markets, we added the global population’s accessibility given the demand for transportation
19 ‘mini freighters’ to our operations using to vaccines. Earlier this year, we of vital commodities and the lack
modified 777-300ER passenger aircraft signed an agreement with UNICEF of capacity, we had to reinvent our
and introduced new loading protocols to join the Humanitarian Airfreight business overnight. Our agile and
to safely carry cargo using overhead bins Initiative under which we prioritise responsive teams worked flat out
and passenger seats. When Emirates the transport of COVID-19 vaccines, over an extended period of time to
SkyCargo marked one year of passenger essential medicines, medical devices make sure we received all the required FactFile
freighter operations earlier in March this and other critical supplies to more than approvals and to make sure that we had Within the first four months of
year, we had completed over 27,800 100 markets. The initiative supports adequate safety guidelines in place. All 2020, we transported more than
cargo missions on passenger aircraft the COVAX Facility – the global effort of this required extensive coordination 4,000 tonnes of food, including fresh
and carried 100,000 tonnes of essential aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 with various authorities, internal and vegetables and fruits, from India to
supplies to people around the world. vaccines. Emirates SkyCargo is also part external stakeholders. As an industry, the UAE and, during the FY 20/21,
Within the first four months of 2020, of the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance, air cargo will need to take lessons from Emirates SkyCargo helped exports
we transported more than 4,000 tonnes launched in January this year, to hasten what we experienced and continue to of more than 25,000 tonnes of
of food, including fresh vegetables the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines be much more agile and adapt quicker perishables from India to the rest of
and fruits, from India to the UAE and, around the world, through Dubai. to changing circumstances.
the world.
AUGUST - 2021 CARGOTALK 23COVER STORY
With the world being
set into a new template
by the pandemic, digital
transformation, globally
is heralding the new
era for air cargo, supply
chain management and
logistics sectors in which
suppliers and customers
come together in entirely
new ways, blurring the
lines between the digital
and physical worlds
and erasing traditional
organisational boundaries.
Digitisation: Choice no
more, Necessity now
Priyanshi Bana
revolution, digital President, Delta Cargo, “With the community enabling transparency and
A transformation is driven
by various technological
disruptions, including Big Data and
devastating effect of COVID-19 on the
airline industry, supply chains were
swiftly interrupted in March 2020 by
tracking customers’ demand. Delta
launched DASH Door-to-Door – an
industry-first for a U.S. passenger
analytics, unprecedented connectivity limited flight schedules and reduced airline in 2019. The 24/7 pick-up and
via machine-to-machine and human- air capacity across the world causing delivery service, from your business or
to-machine interaction, automation, a supply demand imbalance across home, is now available from Atlanta
artificial intelligence and augmented multiple modes. There is an increasing to over 60 cities in the United States.
reality. The digitisation of the supply mix of air transport in the end-to- This was created for time-critical
chain promises to reduce inefficiencies end model and we are now using API shipments in industries including
and lower costs while improving technology to connect seamlessly with medical, manufacturing, automotive,
flexibility. Says Rob Walpole, Vice forwarding community and last mile industrial parts and more. Customers
26 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inCOVER STORY
Rob Walpole Shankar Iyer
Vice President Director, Head of Cargo Africa
Delta Cargo Middle East & India, Swiss WorldCargo
Delta is looking at Digitalisation will
ways to enhance and not be a silo-ed effort,
expand our last-mile but rather a joint
collection/ delivery offering progression and
– to provide a seamless collaboration between
customer experience different stakeholders
Development, India, CEVA Logistics,
“The global pandemic continues to
affect growth rates of underlying
industries, thus impacting the logistics
industry. The pandemic is proving to
be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for
global supply chain leaders, including
shippers and customers, to learn and
adapt to the new normal. The most
impactful changes for logistics providers
can easily get a dynamic price quote, – from e-booking to final release of will be to redesign their strategies and
with a single booking for flights with shipment. This has highlighted the structure themselves for the volatile
pick-up/delivery, as well as end-to-end successful collaborative efforts of market and provide solutions to
tracking and real-time status updates forwarders, airport & terminal operators, customers so that it’s not just about
to provide customers with full peace airlines, customs & cargo community rates, space or availability of equipment,
of mind throughout the parcel journey. network providers. Digitalisation and but rather a bespoke solution for their
We have a constant focus on innovation technology in general will also continue supply chain needs. Logistics service
– Delta is looking at ways to enhance to help provide new, innovative providers must come up with diverse
and expand our last-mile collection/ solutions to help our business become and out-of-the-box solutions now more
delivery offering – to provide a seamless more efficient and quicker – not just in than ever before. The global pandemic
customer experience.” India, but globally.” has emphasised how crucial it is to Risk mitigation
build a balance between technology
Further, resonating on the same lines, The pandemic’s disruptive impact on and human expertise. Shippers are The pandemic’s disruptive impact
Shankar Iyer, Director, Head of Cargo global supply chains has pushed the revisiting their supply chain strategies to on global supply chains has pushed
navigate the market volatility with
the organisations to focus on risk
Africa, Middle East & India, Swiss organisations to focus on risk mitigation
mitigation and increasing resiliency.
WorldCargo, says, “Digitalisation will and increasing resiliency. By capitalising options like near-shore supply chain
play an important role in the future. on digital technologies and increasing elements, as well as technology- and By capitalising on digital
However, it is clear that it will not real-time visibility into every part of innovation-enabled solutions – all technologies and increasing real-time
be a silo-ed effort, but rather a joint the value chain, companies can more coupled with the needed experience visibility into every part of the value
progression and collaboration between proactively identify areas of potential from logistics experts.”
chain, companies can more proactively
identify areas of potential risk prior to
different stakeholders. Right now, risk prior to an issue, or more quickly
an issue, or more quickly notice and
Swiss WorldCargo in India is handling notice and respond to disruption. Says Automation and business intelligence respond to disruption.
a majority of processes electronically Ritesh Chopra, Head of Business technologies have been central to
AUGUST - 2021 CARGOTALK 27COVER STORY
machine learning, artificial intelligence, Logistics Solutions, says, “The COVID-19
cloud technology, and automation have has pushed the logistics industry over
allowed companies to enjoy greater the technology tipping point. In just a
efficiencies. The logistics industry is few months, the COVID-19 crisis has
at the forefront in embracing new brought about years of change in the
technologies to improve efficiencies way logistics companies across the
and transparency. The supply chain globe do business. The companies have
sector is looking at blockchain allied accelerated the digitisation of their
to Internet of Things (IoT), telematics to customer and supply-chain interactions
Ritesh Chopra Yuvraj Sharma enable greater visibility and using and of their internal operations by three
Head of Business Development, India Cluster Head – Sales & Marketing India artificial intelligence and machine to four years. And the share of digital
CEVA Logistics Sri Lanka & Maldives, Kuehne+Nagel
learning to enhance the whole of the or digitally enabled products in their
customer experience. portfolios has accelerated by a shocking
The global pandemic It is necessary for all seven years. We are helping build the
has emphasised how stakeholders, including More and more carriers and forwarders digital capability required to emerge
crucial it is to build carriers and forwarders, to have embarked on digitalisation to stronger from every phase of this crisis
streamline operation processes and – whether it’s the phase of respond,
a balance between embrace the transformation increase productivity by using modern rebound or re-imagine. The key reasons
technology and so that we can connect technology. In fact, to accelerate for technology upgrade are:
human expertise smoothly digitalisation in logistics industry, • Work from Home – needed
it is necessary for all stakeholders, digital infra on cloud to sustain this
improving adaptability and optimising including carriers and forwarders, to mode of working.
the supply chain to meet customer embrace the transformation so that we • Documents went online and ‘e’ as
demand. Internet-connected sensors can connect smoothly.” information was important for cargo to
can detect supply chain disruptions move essential and lifesaving medicines
and address the issue in real-time Explaining how the pandemic has and equipment. Chambers of Commerce
with minimal human intervention. If created a need for a tectonic shift in the shared issuing Certificate of Origin
done right, it can increase visibility, logistics industry from traditional ways online with tech.
responsiveness and resiliency across to digitalisation, Amar More, CEO, Kale • The virus stays on paper for 72
the entire supply chain ecosystem.
Expounding on the need for
digitalisation in the supply chain sector,
Yuvraj Sharma, Cluster Head – Sales
& Marketing India, Sri Lanka & Maldives,
Kuehne+Nagel, adds, “The digitised
world is constantly evolving and making
new rules. New technologies such as
28 CARGOTALK AUGUST - 2021 www.cargotalk.inCOVER STORY
hours as per WHO. So operations had It’s in our CEVA Logistics DNA to deliver
to go paperless. responsive logistics solutions for our
• There was tremendous cost reduction customers, so innovation is a key strategy
pressure on the entire logistics for CEVA. Over the past few years, we
industry. Technology ensured business have significantly invested on innovation
continuity with more efficiency and and automation for our warehouse
cost reduction.” and transportation systems along with
structuring, training and enhancing
According to Chopra, “At CEVA the skills of our teams to handle these
Logistics, we consider innovation to technological advancements. First, Amar More Alexandre Amine Soufiani
be the implementation of new ideas there’s the deployment of robots within CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions and Managing Director
India Cargo Awards Winner 2019 FM Logistics
for business impact, and the hub warehouses, often operating as ‘co-bots’
economy is disintegrating business as opposed to co-workers for sorting. Then
across verticals. CEVA Logistics has there are driverless forklifts, voice picking
Companies have Driven by technological
always focused on innovations to technology, pallet shuttle conveyors, accelerated the digitisation advancements and greater
make the movement of goods for end-to-end visibility with geo fencing of their customer and affordability, robotics
the customer more simplified and technology, E–POD solutions, predictive
efficient. We extended our freight analytics dashboards, dynamic route
supply-chain interactions solutions are entering
management solutions portfolio with optimisers, Truck Court + Dock Scheduling and of their internal the logistics workforce,
a new digital platform: myCEVA. From Software along with other track and trace operations by three to supporting zero-defect
quotation to delivery, easily managed solutions – these are just a few of the four years processes
shipments are available through technology solutions making a difference
an all-in-one platform, anytime, in our warehouses today, as we move to errors, warehouses too need to scale up
anywhere through this portal. It the warehouses of tomorrow.” and meet the standards of an intelligent,
gives real-time quoting and end-to- efficient, and automated warehouse.
end visibility. Digital technologies Not only the logistics sector is Looking ahead, a predicted surge in the
enable our customers to control and transforming itself digitally with the preference for digital transformation
bring simplicity and flexibility to their demand for faster responses, managing will bring fundamental changes to the
supply chains. a larger number of SKUs with fewer way warehouses operate. Accordingly,
the adoption of disruptive warehouse
digitalisation will reach its apex.
Alexandre Amine Soufiani, Managing
Director, FM Logistics, says, “Our
state-of-the-art multi-client facilities,
backed by our indigenous WMS and
IT solutions, our well-experienced
collaborators efficiently manage omni-
channel operations and can support
our customer’s growth strategies.
We have the required expertise and
technological know-how in terms of Disruptive warehouse
IT modules that enable us to offer digitalisation
customised warehousing solutions to
our clients. Driven by rapid technological
Warehouses too need to scale
up and meet the standards of an
advancements and greater affordability,
intelligent, efficient, and automated
robotics solutions are entering the warehouse. Looking ahead, a
logistics workforce, supporting predicted surge in the preference
zero-defect processes and boosting for digital transformation will bring
productivity. This is a primary area of fundamental changes to the way
focus for FM Logistics. In India we warehouses operate.
have implemented drones for inventory
Accordingly, the adoption of
control at one of our operational MCFs disruptive warehouse digitalisation
and are in the process of getting this will reach its apex.
implemented across all warehouses.
AUGUST - 2021 CARGOTALK 29You can also read
