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

Maritime Week Africa (#MWAF25), the longest-running and most popular bunkering event on the African continent, is making history by hosting its 16th edition on the beautiful island nation of Mauritius from 24-27 March 2025.
For the very first time, the industry’s key stakeholders – including bunker buyers and suppliers, ports, refiners, regulators, and maritime professionals – will convene at the Hilton Mauritius to explore cutting-edge developments, unique opportunities, and pressing challenges impacting the bunkering sector in Mauritius, across Africa, and beyond.
Packed Conference Programme
Attendees can expect an in-depth focus on both traditional marine fuels and emerging alternatives, reflecting the industry’s drive toward innovation and sustainability. Sessions will examine the critical factors shaping current markets and forecast the forces that will influence future growth. For a detailed look at the full conference agenda, please visit the MWAF 2025 Programme.
Event Highlights
1. Major International Conference: Thought leaders will share insights on bunkering, decarbonization, and next-generation fuel options.
2. Specialised Training Courses: Deep-dive sessions on shipping, bunkering, and alternative fuels to keep professionals ahead of the curve.
3. Exclusive Port Louis Tour: Experience the key maritime gateway of Mauritius and gain firsthand knowledge of its strategic importance.
4. Unparalleled Networking: Engage with industry colleagues at receptions, dinners, and other social gatherings amidst the island’s picturesque setting.
Join Us
Maritime Week Africa 2025 represents a pivotal opportunity to embrace change, plan for the future, and shape the evolving narrative of Africa’s marine fuels industry. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event.
Contact & Registration
For more information, media inquiries, or registration details, please visit the official Maritime Week Africa 2025 website at maritimeweekafrica.com or email us at info@ship.energy

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Contact:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO and Founder, ship.energy Limited
Email: lbh@ship.energy

Sustainability is at the core of business operations for Sandvik Mining South Africa, developing innovative practices that drive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives.

This means embracing a holistic approach rooted in three pillars – planet, people and profit –according to Sandvik Mining South Africa’s Sustainability Manager, Jan Prinsloo. With its focus on making a positive local impact, Prinsloo highlights that the company’s initiatives are carefully aligned with global commitments.

“We tailor our efforts to specific local needs, while also aligning these with Sandviks global strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he says. With South Africa being a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement, it has its own National Development Plan de’termined to the contribution to the global sustainability challenges and targets as set and agreed, he points out. This is another important factor in how Sandvik South Africa prioritises its sustainability areas.

“We also recognise the importance of ‘double materiality’,” he says, “so that we achieve a balanced assessment of how our business operations affect the environment, alongside an understanding of how environmental changes in turn impact our business”

Mining Contractor PT Pamapersada Nusantara (PAMA) has made history by becoming the first open pit coal mine in the region to implement Automation at its Kalimantan coal mine site in Indonesia, and RCT was chosen to do it.

RCT’s Automation technology has been embraced on site across its dozer fleet, consisting of two Komatsu Dozers (D155 and D375). These dozers have been equipped with Line-Of-Sight and portable vision to give operators an even clearer view and improve safety for operators.

“This project is an important and historic moment for improving operational safety management in the Indonesian coal mining world,” said SHE Management Development Department Head, Pak Ridha. The site’s decision to move from manual operation to Automation was safety driven.

Risk reduction
“As we know, mining involves several high-risk areas related to bulldozer work, such as near water, mud, cliffs, heights and land clearing areas. With this application of technology, the level of risk in these areas can be reduced significantly,” added Mr Ridha.

In November 2024, teams across LTA Autecon’s Oil & Gas coastal region celebrated World Quality Week with the theme ‘Quality: From Compliance to Performance’. This theme emphasises the shift from merely meeting compliance standards, to driving performance through a strong and entrenched culture of quality.

Assistant Site Manager Fadiel Meyer, who participated along with many of his colleagues, supports this initiative, as celebrating World Quality Week helps to embed a mindset which motivates LTA Autecon’s people to innovate, collaborate and improve. This echoes and reinforces the company’s own well-known operational ethos and motto ‘Home without harm, everyone everyday’.

“It is vital to ensure that our teams are constantly sensitised to – and aware of – the need for quality in all that they do. It is also important to utilise these initiatives to celebrate the work our teams do, and to show them our appreciation. Our people take these initiatives to heart!” he enthuses.

Celebrating quality through creativity and collaboration
At LTA Autecon, the practice of celebrating World Quality Week began in 2020. In 2024, it became a uniquely coastal initiative at four of the LTA Oil and Gas sites, in which teams were encouraged to proactively contribute ideas, take ownership and drive quality performance across all projects. The initiative was driven by two of the company’s Quality Co- ordinators: Dean Pierce in KwaZulu-Natal and Randal Jacks in Cape Town.

Throughout 2024, the demand for Emirates SkyCargo’s specialist product portfolio, extensive global network and all-widebody fleet continued to grow exponentially, with no signs of slowing down. To meet the burgeoning global demand, the airline has wet-leased two additional Boeing 747 freighters, starting 2025 with a 15% increase in critical main deck cargo capacity, compared to January 2024.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said: “Throughout 2024, we made significant investments in new and leased freighter aircraft to address the evolving supply chain and air cargo demands around the world to ensure we had a stable supply of capacity to best serve our global customers. This remains a key priority for Emirates SkyCargo, as we set our sights on the next era of growth.

“We anticipate that demand will continue to boom, reflecting Dubai’s prominence as a global logistics hub. Enhancing our cargo capabilities is essential to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda, enabling us to reach new destinations, bolster our current operations and elevate our specialist product portfolio.”

The multi-year lease for the Boeing 747s was signed with the Compass Group, one of Emirates SkyCargo’s longstanding and most reliable partners. This investment in additional Boeing 747F capacity enables the airline to unlock immediate capacity to cater to customer demand, while the partners discuss avenues for further expansion of the collaboration.

Emirates SkyCargo’s leasing strategy complements its owned fleet, which continues to grow. In 2024, the airline received two of its new Boeing 777Fs, which immediately entered service, with a focus on the increasing demand of eCommerce shipments from Asian markets. The additional aircraft also enabled Emirates SkyCargo to expand its network of destinations served by freighters to 38, with the deployment of a weekly freighter to Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Emirates SkyCargo active operating fleet now consists of 10 Boeing 777Fs and six wet-leased Boeing 747s, bringing the aircraft count to 16. The airline also has 13 Boeing 777Fs on order, with expected delivery between 2025 and 2026. This substantial orderbook will support the airline through its next phase of growth, while it explores all options for the future fleet, including the Boeing 777-8F and Airbus A350-1000F.

Facilitating the swift, reliable and efficient movement of goods, Emirates SkyCargo harnesses the widebody fleet and multi-frequency schedules of Emirates’ passenger operations. The recently increased passenger flights to key cities including Madagascar via the Seychelles, Uganda and Ethiopia, followed by Johannesburg, South Africa and Melbourne, Australia before the end of the financial year, will further bolster the freight division’s capacity to transport goods worldwide. Finally, the arrival of the first A350, which entered service this month, will further boost bellyhold capacity, offering 12 tonnes on every flight.

Ethiopian Airlines has reaffirmed its leadership in pharmaceutical air cargo services in Africa by successfully retaining its IATA CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification. This achievement highlights the airline’s continued commitment to excellence in transporting and handling pharmaceutical products, adhering to the highest international standards in healthcare logistics.

The IATA CEIV Pharma certification is a globally recognized benchmark that ensures the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Ethiopian Airlines first achieved this certification in 2022, becoming the pioneer in Africa to attain this prestigious recognition. This latest recertification reinforces the airline’s dedication to maintaining these high standards while investing in infrastructure, training, and technology to enhance its services further.

The accomplishment, according to Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, is evidence of the airline’s steadfast dedication to helping the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. “Our dedication to excellence in healthcare logistics is demonstrated by this recertification,” he stated. Additionally, Tasew emphasized the airline’s strategic goal of establishing Addis Ababa as the world’s leading pharmaceutical hub in the global south.

“With a global network spanning key healthcare logistics hubs, we are dedicated to providing reliable and efficient air cargo services that address the logistical challenges of healthcare transportation. Leveraging Addis Ababa’s strategic location, we aim to support the healthcare industry and strengthen our position as a trusted partner in pharma and life sciences logistics,” Tasew added.

Ethiopian Airlines operates the largest and most advanced cargo network in Africa, serving 70 dedicated cargo destinations and over 140 passenger destinations globally. Its fleet includes 10 Boeing 777-200F, three Boeing 767-300F, and four Boeing 737-800F freighters, complemented by 150+ passenger aircraft. This extensive network is supported by cutting-edge cargo facilities with the capacity to handle one million tons of goods annually. These facilities are equipped with modern technologies to ensure optimal handling of pharmaceuticals, horticultural products, valuables, live animals, e-commerce, and courier services.

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services handles an average of 2,000 tons of cargo daily, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable logistics partner. The airline’s commitment to modernizing its cold chain infrastructure, investing in specialized training for its workforce, and integrating innovative technologies has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the IATA CEIV Pharma certification.

Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to handle pharmaceutical shipments in accordance with strict international standards is reassured by this certification, which also enhances the airline’s capacity to satisfy the increasing demand for dependable healthcare logistics services throughout Africa and beyond.

In addition to reaffirming its dominance in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is positioning itself as a major participant in the global healthcare supply chain by continuing to set standards in the aviation and logistics sectors. Its goal to promote vital sectors and support global health initiatives is emphasized by its investments in quality and innovation, as well as its focus on developing a world-class pharmaceutical corridor through Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines is still a reliable and trustworthy partner in the global delivery of life-saving pharmaceutical items thanks to its most recent recertification.

Namibia and Zambia began discussions to operationalise the Katima Mulilo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the inaugural Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting.

The meeting underway in Sesheke, Zambia, from 13 to 17 January 2025, focuses on establishing governance structures and frameworks to implement the June 2024 bilateral agreement aimed at improving trade and border efficiency.

The week-long meeting is led by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and comprises representatives from various border agencies.

Jacqueline Gawanas, the acting Head of Customs and Excise at NamRA, highlighted the significance of the meeting in advancing the June 2024 agreement.

“This inaugural JTC meeting aims to establish the governance framework for the OSBP by defining the roles, responsibilities, and composition of its subcommittees. These foundational steps are crucial for operationalising the Katima Mulilo OSBP, enhancing border efficiency, and strengthening trade relations between the two nations,” she said.

She expressed confidence in the JTC’s ability to guide the operationalisation process effectively.

“The agenda for this week reflects the depth of our commitment to addressing every aspect required for the success of the OSBP. Over the coming days, we will engage in comprehensive discussions to finalise governance structures, sub-committee mandates, and operational frameworks that align with the principles of inclusiveness, innovation and efficiency,” she added.

Gawanas also noted that this includes critical areas such as infrastructure, ICT systems and procedures, which form the foundation of a functional OSBP.

She said the Katima Mulilo Border Post serves as a critical artery for the movement of goods and people between Namibia and Zambia, and the establishment of an operational OSBP symbolises the countries’ unwavering commitment to efficiency, collaboration and prosperity.

During the meeting’s opening session on Tuesday, Derrick Sikombe, Acting Director of Domestic Trade and Commerce at Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, emphasised the importance of the discussions in laying the groundwork for the OSBP’s implementation and eventual opening.

The governance structure being developed will provide a blueprint for coordinated and efficient border operations, supporting trade facilitation, security and regional cooperation.

Original post: https://thebrief.com.na/2025/01/namibia-zambia-looks-at-operationalising-katima-mulilo-osbp/