Transnet is currently under significant scrutiny due to the recent Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) which ranked South Africa’s ports among the lowest of 405 evaluated worldwide. The challenges faced by the country’s ports have been further exacerbated by inclement weather conditions, impacting their operational efficiency. The latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU), prepared by Business Unity South Africa and the South African Association of Freight Forwarders, highlighted a significant week-on-week decline in container handling capacity, dropping from 8,244 to 5,737 containers daily. This 30.3% decrease in throughput capacity is attributed primarily to extreme weather conditions and equipment breakdowns, which have severely disrupted port operations.

The Port of Durban, one of the major ports in South Africa, experienced closures to incoming traffic due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the Eastern Cape ports faced operational challenges due to strong winds and vessel ranging, further impacting the overall efficiency of port operations. These disruptions come at a time when the global sea freight industry is grappling with intensified capacity shortages. The container shipping market has been particularly affected, with notable issues such as Maersk ceasing operations of a trans-Pacific service just eight weeks after its commencement, and nearly 50% of westbound Asia-Europe sailings failing to meet their scheduled departure times due to ongoing port congestion in Southeast Asian hubs.

Amid these capacity challenges, global freight rates have continued to rise for the ninth consecutive week, with a 13% increase recorded last week. Since the end of March, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index has seen a 76% increase, with no signs of decline in the near future. The containership charter market also remains strong, with rates increasing by 10% last week, further compounding the challenges faced by the global supply chain sector.

In response to these manifold challenges, public sector ocean freight executives in South Africa and beyond have criticized the World Bank’s latest CPPI. Locally, a logistics principal who requested anonymity suggested that the CPPI does not provide a fair comparison, as it lumps together ports with vastly different sizes and service-related dynamics. This critique raises questions about the validity and accuracy of the World Bank’s data metrics, especially given the institution’s disclaimer that it cannot guarantee the accuracy of its research.

The criticism highlights a broader issue within the global port performance assessment framework. The varying conditions and operational contexts of different ports make it difficult to create a standardized measure that accurately reflects the performance and efficiency of each port. This disparity is evident in the case of South African ports, which are facing unique challenges that are not necessarily comparable to those faced by ports in other regions.

The current situation underscores the need for more nuanced and context-specific evaluations of port performance. While the CPPI provides a useful benchmark, it should be complemented with other assessments that take into account the specific conditions and challenges faced by individual ports. This approach would provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of port performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and inform targeted interventions.

The current CPPI ranking has highlighted the serious difficulties that South African ports confront, which are made worse by bad weather and equipment failures. Complicating matters further are the wider problems plaguing the global maritime freight business, such as declining capacity and growing freight rates? The necessity for more complex evaluations that take into account the distinctive circumstances of various ports is brought up by criticisms of the CPPI’s methodology. To guarantee effective and reliable port operations, addressing these issues would call for a coordinated effort from all supply chain sector players.

Nacala Logistics achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by transporting 647 kilotonnes (kt) of miscellaneous cargo, marking an increase of 117 kits from the previous year. This achievement reflects the company’s ongoing investment in infrastructure and expansion, particularly with the commencement of cargo transportation to Zimbabwe and the resumption of traffic in key areas such as Kanengo and Mchinji in Malawi, as well as Chipata in Zambia.

According to Nacala Logistics, these strategic destinations play a crucial role in strengthening regional trade connections and promoting economic growth in the Nacala Corridor. The company views this success as a testament to its growing logistics capacity and an indicator of even greater potential in 2025.

In addition to cargo transportation, Nacala Logistics has expanded its operations through strategic partnerships. At the end of 2024, the company signed a contract with Cimentos de Moçambique (CIM) for the annual transportation of 150,000 tons of coal from Moatize to Nacala, where the CIM factory is based. This agreement underscores Nacala Logistics’ role in supporting the industrial sector by ensuring a reliable and efficient supply chain.

Nacala Logistics was established through the merger of multiple concessionaires, including Northern Development Corridor (CDN), Nacala Integrated Logistics Corridor (CLN), Central East African Railways (CEAR), and Vulcan Logistics Limited (VLL). The unification of these entities was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, streamlining services, and fostering a stronger commercial relationship between service providers and users in the region.

The company operates an extensive rail network covering 970 km in Mozambique, spanning key locations such as Nacala, Moatize, Lichinga, and Entre-Lagos, with a route passing through Cuamba. In Malawi, the company oversees a 730 km railway network connecting Nayuki, Limbe, and Chipata, with a route through Liwonde. These extensive rail links serve as vital transportation corridors, facilitating trade and economic development across the region.

A critical component of Nacala Logistics’ operations is the Nacala-à-Velia Port Terminal. Recognized as the deepest natural port on Africa’s east coast, the terminal can accommodate ships with a capacity of up to 200,000 tons. This enhances the company’s ability to handle large-scale shipments and further supports regional and international trade.

With its expanding logistics capabilities, infrastructure investments, and strategic partnerships, Nacala Logistics is poised for further growth in 2025. The company remains committed to improving connectivity and trade efficiency across Southern Africa, reinforcing its role as a key player in the region’s economic development.

South African Airways (SAA) celebrated the grand opening of its new office at Arcades Shopping Mall in Lusaka, an event attended by key stakeholders such as senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and other distinguished guests. This occasion underscores SAA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing service delivery and solidifying its presence in Zambia.

Among the attendees was Engr. Nkumbu Siame, the Director of Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, who delivered a speech on behalf of Hon. Eng. Counsel Museba Frank Tayali, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments. In his address, Engr. Siame emphasized the importance of SAA’s renewed presence in Zambia.

“The return of South African Airways to Zambia is a testament to the resilience of the aviation sector,” said Engr. Siame. “This isn’t just about business expansion; it reaffirms the confidence SAA has in Zambia’s aviation industry and economic potential. Our government is committed to creating an environment that supports aviation growth, enhances connectivity, and ultimately benefits the Zambian people.”

During the launch, Mrs. Mildred Chalikulima, Country Manager for South African Airways in Zambia, underscored the airline’s mission to provide seamless travel solutions and world-class service to its customers. “The opening of this new office reflects our dedication to delivering excellence,” she stated. “We are strategically positioned to better serve our customers, enhance accessibility, and strengthen ties with our trade and business partners. SAA remains dedicated to supporting Zambia’s aviation landscape and facilitating regional connectivity.”

Mrs. Hellen Ngwira Mwamba, General Manager of AirlinePros Zambia (the General Sales Agent for SAA), also spoke at the event and highlighted the significance of this milestone. “This new office represents more than just a location; it symbolizes growth, accessibility, and progress,” said Mrs. Mwamba. “We are honored to manage the commercial operations of SAA in Zambia and are committed to ensuring that this partnership flourishes. This is a significant responsibility that SAA has entrusted to AirlinePros, and we appreciate the recognition and trust placed in us. Our dedicated team is ready to serve our customers and provide seamless travel experiences.”

The launch event served as a platform to celebrate the enduring partnership between South African Airways and Zambia. Guests had the opportunity to tour the new office space, interact with the airline’s leadership team, and reaffirm their commitment to fostering stronger business and tourism ties between Zambia and South Africa.

With the successful opening of its new office, South African Airways continues to strengthen its position as a leading airline in the region, dedicated to connectivity, service excellence, and sustainable aviation growth.

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, will advance air cargo handling innovation and sustainability at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as it celebrates the opening of the first new cargo terminal to be built at the airport in 30 years.

With the opening of the new facility at the end of January, WFS’ warehouse footprint at JFK now exceeds 1 million square feet across eight facilities, reinforcing its position as the airport’s largest provider of cargo handling services. WFS currently serves 38 international and domestic airline customers at JFK.

Mike Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Services, Americas at WFS, said: “WFS is proud of its 41 years of service to our customers at New York JFK. Building 260 marks a new era for WFS and air cargo at one of the main gateways to the United States. This cutting-edge facility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in our drive to serve customers better. Building 260 sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide. The facility embodies our dedication to connecting the world through logistics and embraces new levels of digitalization and sustainability that will act as a model for other new cargo operations around the world.”

He added: “We thank our partners at Realterm for their collaboration in bringing this project to life and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for their support in making it a reality, as well as all the members of our own team who have been so committed to this project.”

With 350,000 sq. ft. of floor space, Building 260 represents a transformative step forward for WFS and the air cargo industry at JFK by embracing cutting-edge technology, environmentally sustainable practices, and robust safety and security protocols. The opening of the facility increases WFS’ cargo capacity at New York JFK by a further 25% and establishes the first-ever dedicated on-airport handling facility for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products and perishable cargo. Over 3,000 sq. ft of cooler space enables the handling of perishable and pharmaceutical goods requiring variable temperature ranges of between 2-8°C or 15-25°C.

Adjacent to the new WFS cargo terminal is a ramp area that can accommodate up to three Boeing 747-400/777 or similar-sized wide body freighters and has already received its first arrival with Atlas Air.

Safety has been a prime consideration in the design of the facility and safety features include dock and polymer barriers to prevent accidental trailer movement, ensuring safe loading and unloading, as well as impact-resistant doors and column protection systems to minimize damage from forklifts and moving equipment, thus reducing downtime.

Designed to new standards of cargo operations, Building 260 is equipped with innovative features such as the latest Dock Management System to drive efficiency and predictability for cargo pickups and drop-offs. This is expected to reduce truck dwell times by as much as 25% by generating pre-alerts to reduce air waybill processing time. Customer experience will also be enhanced by the building’s Slot Booking System to manage traffic flow and provide clear visibility of shipment movements and availability, allowing WFS to schedule truck appointments at the building’s 44 truck docks based on shipment volume and complexity.

The digital journey of cargo shipments in Building 260 is also driven by the latest technologies, from Warehouse Progress Monitoring (WPM) to give customers real-time visibility, to Auto Dimensioning Equipment for compliance with carrier requirements, and IATA Dangerous Goods (DG) Autocheck for safety and security. The Automated ETV (Elevating Transport Vehicle) and Unit Load Device (ULD) Management systems have been designed to allow for tracking by flight and automated staging for cargo buildup and breakdown, which helps to streamline operations by minimizing forklift usage needed to move ULDs like aircraft containers and pallets.

Collectively, these technologies will help to optimize WFS’ labor resources and productivity, ultimately reducing congestion and lowering wait times for cargo shipments. Operational efficiency is further enhanced by Building 260’s convenient location next to several major highways in New York for more seamless road transportation connectivity. Access to these highways make Building 260 highly accessible, ensuring efficient transportation for cargo operations, as well as WFS staff and contractors who work at the facility.

Sustainability solutions built into the new facility all support SATS’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) group priorities from electric forklift trucks to EV charging stations for both ground support equipment and customer/employee vehicles. The centralized ETV system for automated ULD dispatch to the ramp and warehouse also streamlines operations and reduces equipment usage.

“Building 260 reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional service and setting new benchmarks for the industry. It’s a milestone achievement that positions us to meet the future demands of global logistics with confidence and excellence,” added Wellington Dhumira, SVP Cargo, Africa at Logistics African Magazine.

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) data for global air freight shows that demand for air cargo decreased by 10.6 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019 – the largest drop in year-on-year demand since IATA started monitoring it in 1990. This figure outpaces the 6 per cent drop in the global goods trade.

In South Africa, average international air freight cargo handled at OR Tambo International Airport in February 2021 was 806 136kg per day, compared to 854 139kg per day in February 2020, according to Business Unity South Africa statistics. That volume was down to about 300 000kg a day in April 2020 and only recovered to above 800 000kg daily in the last week of January 2021.

Pier Luigi Vigada, director Eastern and Southern Africa at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, says that despite some positive results, the air freight industry was as affected as passenger services, and had to reinvent itself to ensure it could continue delivering to customers. “We had to face challenges at all levels, like customers not having enough staff to deliver to our warehouses, where we had to ensure working staff and environment were safe to operate and handle goods. Testing, disinfecting, sterilisation of goods and crew regulations were just some hurdles that soon became the norm for us.”

After lockdown in March 2020, Air France and KLM continued operating by deploying passenger aircraft for cargo-only flights and offering repatriation flights to Europe, along with their five-times-weekly Martinair Cargo flights. “The extra capacity deployed by the airlines came at an extra cost. Operating passenger planes to carry only cargo is a pricey operation if not supported by passenger revenues and is mostly deployed to sustain the industry where margins are very tight,” says Vigada.

Capacity and costs

CFR Freight air freight director Stephen Bishop says that getting cargo in and out of South Africa became a huge challenge because the bulk of the country’s cargo is carried in the holds of passenger aircraft. When carriers stopped operating passenger flights under lockdown conditions, capacity dried up rapidly. “Ethiopian Airlines helped keep the country and the continent running, operating as our major connection to the rest of the world, particularly the Far East. While the cargo industry was deemed an essential service under lockdown, there were challenges with ground handling companies operating on skeleton staff and a myriad new COVID-19 protocols”.

According to Vigada, air freight costs fluctuate alongside all other costs in relation to the supply-demand ratio. “Freight into South Africa comes from all over the globe, and pricing depends on where the cargo originates from and how constrained the capacity is on that leg – and, ultimately, on the capacity on the final leg. The demand for capacity has been massive all over the world; both capacity and volumes are currently lower than they were back in 2019.”

Bishop says that in Q2 of 2020, they saw inbound freight pricing increase five-fold, particularly from the East. “It was simple supply and demand economics – and prices remain two to three times higher now than they were before lockdown last year.”

With over 21 years’ experience in freight transportation, Multimodal Logistics (MML) offers bespoke transport solutions for all of its customers. “Since 2013, we’ve initiated a project to run our own fleet of vehicles and move away from the ‘clearing house’ model that we had previously used,” begins Tim Wray, Managing Director. “We’re a specialist container haulage operator, dealing in logistical solutions for freight containers. Today, our fleet, which comprises 65 vehicles and will increase to 70 in November, is split equally between the South and North of England to service UK ports, making use of established inland rail hubs. Through our established road and rail network, we can move containers from any major UK port. We also offer a range of European road and rail transportation services through international rail centers within Europe. Together with our European business partners, we have the expertise and infrastructure to ensure our customers’ cargo arrives on time and is tracked along its journey.

Multimodal truck celebrating 21 years“Domestically, we deliver all types of cargo, both locally and nationally, from Cornwall to Scotland. We continue to invest in our fleet of own vehicles year on year. This time last year we had 53 trucks, and we will have 70 in November. When I first spoke to Transportation & Logistics International at the beginning of 2022, we had 37 trucks, which shows how we’ve progressively grown over the last few years. While that growth hasn’t always been straightforward, today, we’re the preferred supplier for many of our customers and are proud to deliver a consistent and reliable service.

“In July this year, we bought five new Volvo FH Aero turbo compounds, which are probably amongst the most efficient internal combustion engine vehicles on the road and have proven to be great vehicles thus far. Whilst we are monitoring trends, we’re not currently at the stage of looking into battery or alternative fuel powered vehicles in the short-term future. The nature of our work and the distances we travel dictate the types of vehicles we need, and to get the payload and range we require, we must focus on the most efficient trucks capable of meeting our needs. That’s not to say that we’re not open to new technology; over the next four-to-five years, we’ll look to incorporate hydrogen powered technology into our vehicles, hopefully with an operational range comparable to diesel trucks. There’s a long way to go yet,” he explains, “and there’s a lot of developments still to be made and particularly within the UK.”

Sharing best practice
On a more personal note, Tim goes on to share his invitation to join the Road Haulage Association (RHA) board of directors. “In 2018 I was invited on the regional council for the RHA in the South and East of England, and through this I was approached in 2022 to join the board,” he shares. “The RHA is a member-driven business and chooses to have people from its membership as part of the board to guide and steer them in line with what the members need. There are three members of the executive team and up to three representatives from each region on the board.

“After sitting on the board for two years, I was nominated to the role of Vice Chairman in early 2024 and have been officially fulfilling these duties since July. I was also appointed to the role of Chair for the South and Eastern region at the same time. With almost 38 years’ experience working mainly in the container industry, being part of the RHA enables me to understand the common issues we are all facing across the wider transport community and to share ideas and best practice with others. I am proud to be part of an organization that can take real-life issues directly to Westminster and look to find solutions to help improve our industry and continue to promote the positive aspects of our sector.

“I get involved at various levels with different companies in different areas of the industry. It’s very fulfilling and brings a different pressure to the day job, butMultimodal truck on a rugby pitch at night thankfully I can run it in parallel, as there are so many crossovers. It continues to increase my awareness of what’s going on in our industry, as well as promoting what we do daily. Transport and logistics are a backbone of this country; pretty much everything we have is transported by truck,” Tim continues.

“Since the pandemic, we have continued to experience dramatic cost increases, particularly for equipment, trucks, and staff. There’s also huge pressure on rates, as well as increasing port and railhead costs through the introduction of container booking schemes making a stealth tax on our daily operation. We are timed at every point of the supply chain from collecting the container, delivering it and returning it, with financial penalties associated at every level. So, trying to manage that is a considerable aspect of our operation. Up until Easter this year, volumes in the UK were very low and many companies were struggling to make any financial gains. However, we have seen volume return despite an ever-changing supply chain due to vessel rotations and safety threats causing rerouting in the Suez Canal.

“We’ve seen an early Christmas boost in numbers,” he states. “While I’m not sure how long that will last, it is busier and has been a better quarter. For the rest of the year and moving into 2025, we will continue to invest in new vehicles and new business. We’re also branching out to customers in different areas. We do also want to look at other business opportunities outside of freight containers, but it must be customer led. It’s important that our customers see us as a reliable part of their own supply chain.

“Over the next five years, I hope to have doubled our vehicle fleet from our current 53 vehicles and be able to do so profitably. We’ll also start to look at technologies that can enhance our competitiveness. Our industry is faced with a huge number of challenges. I think if anyone remains in business over the next five years, they’ve done well. The big are getting bigger and the small are either giving up or are acquired by larger organizations. As volumes pick up, there will be increased demand for drivers, which is already very challenging, but you must always look to move forwards. So, if we’re able to double our fleet and remain profitable, I’ll be very happy with that.

“The UK is a massive consumer with a small manufacturing base. As such, we are dependent on goods being brought into the country and our sector delivers on that. I would like to see more recognition across the board, from the government down,” Tim concludes. “Our industry and its employees, especially our professional drivers who remain key workers, must be appreciated as we raise the profile of our sector.”

www.mmlogistics.co.uk

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, will advance air cargo handling innovation and sustainability at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as it celebrates the opening of the first new cargo terminal to be built at the airport in 30 years.

With the opening of the new facility at the end of January, WFS’ warehouse footprint at JFK now exceeds 1 million square feet across eight facilities, reinforcing its position as the airport’s largest provider of cargo handling services. WFS currently serves 38 international and domestic airline customers at JFK.

Mike Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Services, Americas at WFS, said: “WFS is proud of its 41 years of service to our customers at New York JFK. Building 260 marks a new era for WFS and air cargo at one of the main gateways to the United States. This cutting-edge facility reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in our drive to serve customers better. Building 260 sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide. The facility embodies our dedication to connecting the world through logistics and embraces new levels of digitalization and sustainability that will act as a model for other new cargo operations around the world.”

He added: “We thank our partners at Realterm for their collaboration in bringing this project to life and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for their support in making it a reality, as well as all the members of our own team who have been so committed to this project.”

With 350,000 sq. ft. of floor space, Building 260 represents a transformative step forward for WFS and the air cargo industry at JFK by embracing cutting-edge technology, environmentally sustainable practices, and robust safety and security protocols. The opening of the facility increases WFS’ cargo capacity at New York JFK by a further 25% and establishes the first-ever dedicated on-airport handling facility for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products and perishable cargo. Over 3,000 sq. ft of cooler space enables the handling of perishable and pharmaceutical goods requiring variable temperature ranges of between 2-8°C or 15-25°C.

Adjacent to the new WFS cargo terminal is a ramp area that can accommodate up to three Boeing 747-400/777 or similar-sized wide body freighters and has already received its first arrival with Atlas Air.

Safety has been a prime consideration in the design of the facility and safety features include dock and polymer barriers to prevent accidental trailer movement, ensuring safe loading and unloading, as well as impact-resistant doors and column protection systems to minimize damage from forklifts and moving equipment, thus reducing downtime.

Designed to new standards of cargo operations, Building 260 is equipped with innovative features such as the latest Dock Management System to drive efficiency and predictability for cargo pickups and drop-offs. This is expected to reduce truck dwell times by as much as 25% by generating pre-alerts to reduce air waybill processing time. Customer experience will also be enhanced by the building’s Slot Booking System to manage traffic flow and provide clear visibility of shipment movements and availability, allowing WFS to schedule truck appointments at the building’s 44 truck docks based on shipment volume and complexity.

The digital journey of cargo shipments in Building 260 is also driven by the latest technologies, from Warehouse Progress Monitoring (WPM) to give customers real-time visibility, to Auto Dimensioning Equipment for compliance with carrier requirements, and IATA Dangerous Goods (DG) Autocheck for safety and security. The Automated ETV (Elevating Transport Vehicle) and Unit Load Device (ULD) Management systems have been designed to allow for tracking by flight and automated staging for cargo buildup and breakdown, which helps to streamline operations by minimizing forklift usage needed to move ULDs like aircraft containers and pallets.

Collectively, these technologies will help to optimize WFS’ labor resources and productivity, ultimately reducing congestion and lowering wait times for cargo shipments. Operational efficiency is further enhanced by Building 260’s convenient location next to several major highways in New York for more seamless road transportation connectivity. Access to these highways make Building 260 highly accessible, ensuring efficient transportation for cargo operations, as well as WFS staff and contractors who work at the facility.

Sustainability solutions built into the new facility all support SATS’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) group priorities from electric forklift trucks to EV charging stations for both ground support equipment and customer/employee vehicles. The centralized ETV system for automated ULD dispatch to the ramp and warehouse also streamlines operations and reduces equipment usage.

“Building 260 reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional service and setting new benchmarks for the industry. It’s a milestone achievement that positions us to meet the future demands of global logistics with confidence and excellence,” added Frank Clemente, SVP Cargo, Americas at WFS.

Successful partnership: Korean Air Cargo and Vienna Airport extend cooperation in cargo handling

Korean Air Cargo continues to rely on the proven cargo handling quality of Vienna Airport. A four-year extension of the existing handling contract between the airport and the Korean airline has been signed and will now run until the end of 2028. Thus, Vienna Airport is continuing its successful partnership with Korean Air Cargo, which has been in place since the airline’s first flight to Vienna in 2004.

“The successful partnership between Korean Air Cargo and Vienna Airport has been extended for another four years – a strong sign of the trust and cooperation that has connected our companies for 20 years. Together we will continue to develop cargo handling between Seoul and Vienna at the highest level and expand our position as a leading European cargo hub. Austria, its neighboring countries and Asia will thus remain closely linked economic zones through international airfreight traffic in the future. We look forward to continuing this success story”, states Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.

“We are delighted to announce our continued partnership with Vienna Airport. Our co-operation has led to successful business results, and we are confident that this contract extension will lead to further growth and development. We look forward to providing our customers with the best possible transport services and further strengthening Vienna Airport’s position as a major hub for logistics in Eastern Europe”, says Eum Jaedong, Executive Vice President and Head of Cargo Division at Korean Air Cargo.

“The extension of the Korean Air Cargo contract until 2028 is clear proof of Vienna Airport’s strength as an air cargo hub. At the site we offer comprehensive services, modern infrastructure and a dedicated team that ensures maximum efficiency and reliability. Korean Air Cargo is one of the most important cargo airlines at the site and we look forward to further expanding our good collaboration”, says Michael Zach, Senior Vice President Ground Handling & Cargo Operations of Vienna Airport.

Vienna Airport intensifies cooperation with Korean Air Cargo and Incheon Airport
The collaboration between Korean Air Cargo and Vienna Airport has been continuously adapted and deepened over the years, most recently as part of an extended cooperation agreement in Seoul-Incheon (ICN) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the partnership in 2024. This agreement was signed to intensify the cooperation in order to meet the increasing demand for air cargo services between Korea and Vienna as a hub for Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to the extended handling contract, both sides plan joint marketing initiatives and knowledge transfer in areas such as logistics systems as well as the expansion of optimal services for freight forwarders and customers. The new Memorandum of Understanding with Incheon Airport also strengthens Vienna Airport’s position as a leading European cargo hub for the transportation of goods between Asia and Europe and supports the long-term partnership between the two locations.

Korean Air Cargo: major cargo carrier worldwide
Korean Air Cargo is one of the world’s leading cargo airlines and currently connects Vienna Airport with up to ten flights per week to international economic centers. The Korean airline operates a fleet of Boeing 747-400Fs, Boeing 747-8Fs and Boeing 777Fs. For the airline, Vienna Airport is an important gateway for electronic and pharma goods from Asia.

Aviation Handling Services Jordan Ltd. (AHS) uses state-of-the-art technology from Lödige Industries at its newly developed Cargo Terminal at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Kingdom of Jordan. As the world’s leading provider of air cargo terminal solutions, Lödige Industries was contracted to provide the client an automated solution for handling import and export shipments into and out of the Kingdom of Jordan. The project started in February 2022 and was finished in July 2024.

Lödige Industries designed, manufactured and delivered a customised automated storage system with a capacity of 136 Unit Load Devices (ULDs). This includes an Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the newest in the Kingdom of Jordan, which ensures reliable, fast and efficient storage and retrieval processes. The ETV is guided on rails and transports with its lift the ULDs vertically and horizontally at the same time. A tailor-made conveyor system of powered roller decks is used for efficient and safe transport between different work areas. Here, elevating workstations (EWS) ensure optimised processes during build-up and break-down. Lödige Industries also equipped the terminal with a cargo control system to interface with the client cargo management system as well as additional mobile terminal equipment, including mobile workstations and mobile workstation movers (formerly slave pallets and slave pallet movers).

To ensure smooth operations for AHS/Menzies, Lödige Industries provides maintenance support. The new terminal spans 8,000 square meters, featuring a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking system with 2,400 skid positions, capable of accommodating a diverse range of single shipments and storing pallets of varying sizes and weights. Additionally, approximately 4,000 square meters of space in front of the warehouse airside can be efficiently utilized for GSE and ULD, providing ample room for freighter handling. The handling capacity is expected to increase to 60,000 tons per year. The facility supports the regional operations of AHS/Menzies and Menzies Global Network.

“The fully equipped new freight terminal enables AHS to automate its ULD handling to a large extent and ensures a high throughput of cargo for long-term growth at the Queen Alia International Airport,” says Mr. Guy Walker, Managing Director of Lödige Systems Middle East. “As the leading supplier, we were able to meet all of the customer’s requirements ranging from design and production to commissioning and maintenance from a single source.”

“We are pursuing a long-term growth plan and have therefore chosen a reliable and powerful system from Lödige Industries to equip our new cargo terminal,” says Mr. Dominique Ceulemans, Managing Director at AHS Jordan. “The high level of automation allows us to handle cargo quickly, efficiently and safely thus achieving the high-quality service we want to offer our customers