Tag: Air Cargo

  • UK Reaffirming Trade Relations with Africa

    A new trade relation is said to trigger after Brexit

    Africa is not a highly developed region. Most areas in this region are underdeveloped and rely highly on foreign aid. So it can be said that the extreme conditions in African states decide the trade, especially in areas that are largely affected by draught and malnutrition due to absence of enough food. The higher spectrum is represented by South Africa that is the leading trade body in the region, while areas like Burundi have the least trading power.

    Countries that rely heavily on imports and cargo services to run the state are always insecure due to changing deals internationally; so is the case with Africa. The uncertain conditions prevailing after the announcement of Brexit has raised questions and UK is leaving no stone unturned to convey a firm message of no harm to be established on its relationship with African countries.

    Internal Issues:

    African extremity struck regions always faces the misfortune of not having enough food and life facilities to move forward. The internal problems grip the region so tightly that coming out becomes impossible and foreign aid becomes the only means for relief. So the African countries which are underdeveloped, import medicines as well as food items to survive such a tough life.

    These problems hinders the way for this region to develop fully as it is rich in its natural resources but without a proper infrastructure and policy, the people cannot fully take advantage of its own wherewithal. Machinery and equipments are regularly imported with the notion of having access to its resources with the help of these equipments.

    Brexit and the uncertain trade environment answered:

    UK has never denied having a positive and growing trade relation with Cargo to Africa. It has been cleared that Brexit means exit with Europe and not with Africa. This clearly indicates that in no condition UK has the idea of breaking ties with commonwealth countries in Europe. The delegation to Africa has affirmed that it will not end its commitment to the continent. Furthermore delegations to different regions in the continent are being sent by the African states so that a positive message can be conveyed of the firm relations of UK and the region.

    Relations with South Africa:

    The UK government has laid special emphasis on its relations with South Africa which is its largest economic and political partner in the continent. As being the main contributor in the economy of Africa and a developed region in this continent, it attracts trade from around the world. This region is very important for the economy of this continent. The present Prime Minister of UK has said very clearly that her government does not intend to become isolated from the world and follow the foot steps of others.

    Importance given to Africa by UK:

    The importance of trade between Africa and UK can be clearly seen by the visit of UK officials to the continent especially South Africa.

    This was a short visit and was carried out immediately after the announcement of Brexit. The other two countries that were visited on that short trip were Japan and South Korea. These and future tours were meant to confirm strong ties of UK globally.

  • A Wave of Fresh Air for Africa

    Rise in air freight demand gives an optimistic direction to the continent

    Africa is a region facing various critical economic situations. Many areas are facing draught and children are suffering from malnutrition. Then there is the problem of sea piracy prevailing, it shifts from one region to another according to the security conditions. Rise in the air freight demand is certainly good news in such situation where one cannot think of development. The rise is not a temporary condition; there is gradual increase in it and in the current year it is still rising.

    One pointed Reason of the rise:

    There is one major reason for the rise as indicated; the shipment of silicon materials is one underlying reason. The silicon materials are used in high-value consumer electronic and obviously are an important element in the build up. This shipment is done through air and not through sea, that is may be the reason why the air freight demand is increasing.

    Impact of Increase in Freight Demand:

    IATA’s Director General and CEO have stated some very positive impacts of the increase and one of which is the optimistic impact that the increasing exports are having on the businesses. The rise is after six years of uncertainty that the market experienced and it is certainly returning the confidence of the investors as well as the traders. Many cargo companies like Cargo to Africa plays vital role in the development of cargo business and goods transfer to and from Africa.

    The story does not end here; there is still a lot of area to be covered by the continent in order to make the situation more favorable for the rise in living standards of the citizens. There is only one region in the continent that has everything for the occupants and that is South Africa. It is responsible for a major portion trade in the continent and due to the exporting power, its economy is strong and it is a partner to many strong global countries.

    What is needed?

    The question which is most important is that how the earned capital will reach the common man? Because if the reforms are not done from the lower level, the betterment of the people cannot take place. For this, the authorities have to make effort and eliminate the elements that are disturbing the whole system. First one is corruption, then there is a lack of communication among the institutions and these two things contribute a lot to interrupt the even flow of money to all levels.

    Findings of IATA:

    Africa air freight demand is the leading one in the global market. According to the figures given by International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa showed the highest rate of year-to-year increase and the increase is not specific to any demand, it is in all regions. The recorded increase is not specific to any one region, but all in general have shown the rise.

    The freight volumes have grown to 33.5 percent and the capacity of the region has grown to 6 percent as compared to last year. If we see in the present year, since the start of this year, the rise has been recorded as 11 percent and the capacity has risen to 3.7 percent in the mean time.

  • African Food Trade on the Rise

    Tracing out the reasons of rising food importation in African region

    Africa is amongst the populated continents that have variety of states. Among them, South Africa is the most developed one, while the others are striving hard to make their way for improvement. Africa is considered as a region that is rich in its resources for agriculture, but there are factors that restrict the population from using their own land to fulfill the food requirements. The ones who get mostly affected by this situation are children and older population. The local food production is less than the total population for this reason, the demand of Cargo to Africa for food rises every year according to the country.

    What are the main Reasons?

    With area so big and having a viable environment for agriculture and other raw food items, what comes in the way that this cannot be achieved and the authorities have to look at the imports for feeding the people? The answers are so annoying that one starts thinking that although every one know what the people of the region are going through why don’t they start making amends to get the things straight. But the biggest reason is that no one wants to leave their personal interests and think about the sufferings of citizens.

    1. Growth in Population:

    The most important factor is the ever growing population of the continent that always makes the available food insufficient for the people. Due to lack of a proper infrastructure like in air cargo and sea cargo, there is no check on the rise in population and the consequences have to be faced by all.

    A proper planning for educating the people and making them realize of what is happening due to their negligence is very important. Due to poor living conditions, the death toll is very high among the infants and there is nothing the locals can do.

    2. Corruption:

    Another very disturbing reason is the high rate of corruption in the region that hinders in the way of having a proper infrastructure. Every one is busy in filling their own pockets and at lower levels, people are also doing it to have a decent living standard. There is no coordination among the offices and people do not care of what is happening to the common man due to their unlawful activities. Officials do not hesitate to use up the money meant for a certain reform and hence the situation remains as it is. This has made the high food trade as there is something the authorities have to feed the people.

    3. Slow Economic Growth:

    Considering the above two points, the situation becomes clear as why the region suffers from the serious low economic growth. Due to lack of communication and coordination the economic growth becomes very slow.

    The importation of food is much more than the export and hence, the return of money is not possible. Apart from the South African region which is mainly a trade point for the continent and have strict rules and regulations regarding trade, the rest of the parts need a lot of work to be done in this regard. Recommended reading: Culinary vacations in Africa.

  • A New Cargo to India Route from Africa as A Fifth Gateway

    Largest African cargo Airline has headed towards India to deliver express cargo to Ahmedabad

    Finally, the largest African cargo carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to declare that they are going to India as their new destination for cargo and the addition of Ahmedabad airport is a new route for sending cargo to India, and it will be a fifth new gateway to its international cargo network on the 28th of March, 2017.

    Ahmedabad is one of the ancient Indian city of Muslim Emperor’s times and it is also proud to be India’s second oldest and hoariest stock exchange across India. Ahmedabad is the largest cotton producer in India, while it is an emerging industrial hub in the country and putting its maximum share into the economy of India, dwelling a population of six million people or even more.

    What Ethiopian Airlines says?

    The CEO of the freight at Ethiopian airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, is well informed about the cargo operations of the airline in India and says that the Ethiopian air cargo services to India were first started in the early 90’s. It was the time when the airline was operating from India and launching their first cargo station in Mumbai.

    Perfecting the booming economic associates of the clan between India and the African continent at weighty, Ethiopian airline have made liable cargo services available to Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and now to Ahmedabad.

    According to the CEO of the largest African cargo handler airline, this route will be the fifth Cargo Gateway to India. Even as operating within the principal trade lanes between Africa, Europe, Far East and Asia.

    Here is another itinerary form India by a real traveler.

    The CEO further stated that the cargo community is fruitfully linking the Indian sub-continent and Africa further with China and Hong Kong. The Ethiopian Airline is delivering the Indian market with minimal weekly import cargo of 240 lots per week.

    What CEO feels about the Indian Market?

    The CEO of the Ethiopian airlines feels that their new services to Ahmedabad will additionally beef up the existing trade and commercial ties between the two quickest growing regions of the world, India and Ethiopia.

    The Airline will become the medium of linking both friend countries through its services and this relationship will be further enhanced in the future when the airline will increase its destinations in the country.

    What is the reality of Ethiopian airline in Africa?

    Ethiopian airline is the largest airline in the African continent and it is the largest cargo network operator as well and one of the vital most international cargo players as well. The airline is serving 36 international locations and delivering cargo to them with a typical everyday uplift of 650 on the top of the belly,

    maintain potential of a hundred and fifty tons to more than 90 locations globally, deploying a full and powerful fleet of its all the 8 dedicated freighters together with six state of the art Boeing B777-200LRF and a couple of – Boeing B757-260F freighter aircraft for global operations.

    Here is another article on Indian food worth reading.

  • Focus on Trade with Africa to Increase Cargo Business

    Airlines are spreading their network throughout the continent

    Recently many assurances have come forward by authorities in United Kingdom that there would be no big change in trade relations of the country with South Africa and other countries of the region after Brexit. It means no downward trend will be observed even some experts have predicted that there would be possible increase in business volume between the regions.

    Most of big industrial countries and their airlines have been eying at the future of African markets so they continue to move on with their plans to spread out network so that they can take advantage of their strong base in coming years. New destinations have been added in list of many renowned airlines that have aspirations to focus on eastern Africa in coming years. In this way the basics have been getting right to launch this forgotten continent as potential market for multinational companies.

    High end products and perishables

    At present, the continent imports are expensive and high end products and exports consist of perishables. Trade from UK to Africa is no exception, so the freight forwarders are very much aware of the flexibility and volatile conditions of this route.

    For this, air cargo is much more important than other means of cargo. Government support is necessary for success of making this growing market into a reliable source of agricultural products. Mainly the region sends yield of fields so to enhance the production required measures always come from authorities in power. Economic cycle pushes each segment to boost the whole economy that ultimately produces strong middle class with reasonable power to buy things.

    Cargo Transportation Volume

    There are many efforts on behalf of trade ministers of both sides to explore all possible sectors of trade and industry that could be venues of cooperation in order to increase volume to its actual potential. The future of digital economy has been eyed at so focus would remain to transform the overall perception by including modern technology at every level.

    This flow of modernity surely is from UK to African nations. Small and medium sized businesses are getting assistance, business environment has been encouraging and access to finance has been made easy. With such crucial and basic steps local industry would create jobs for people in Africa.

    Spotlight Back on Commonwealth Nations

    Before joining the European Economic Community decades ago in 1973 goods transportation were mainly with Commonwealth nations but afterwards all those arrangements were undermined by this economic confederation. Now once again concentration is back on the same to keep industry in England worth producing jobs and revenue.

    Reallocation of resources from previous routes to the new destinations is also requires serious effort but usually there is flexibility to do so. After being free from rigorous and strict rules of food imports of food items of European Union there is likelihood of getting in agreements with African nations for import of those items that have limited shelf life. For this purpose there should have been suitable facilities at freight forwarding points so that the quality may sustain for the end consumer.

  • Air Cargo Africa 2017

    Record presence of International Exhibiting Companies

    To let the world know how capable African continent is to become one of the greatest markets of world products and to explore the possibilities for air cargo industry in this regard there was “Air Cargo Africa 2017” held from 21st to 23rd February.

    It is a mega event this time and for last three years to provide a platform for world leading companies and air freight key players of the region to communicate possibilities to exploit the real advantages for their activities and cargo to Africa. To strengthen networking in the region it is the best place to know where in this emerging new world market companies should focus.

    Visitors from twenty-nine nations of this part of the world and thirty-two other countries that were interested in finding business opportunities gathered there. Apart from that a record eighty international exhibiting companies were present there and that proved it a successful event for air cargo activity enhancement.

    Leading Cargo Entities at Event

    The industry-leading cargo carriers and award winning services has participated in the gathering in Johannesburg. It is Saudi Cargo Company that is an independent entity and has ambitious plans to make most of its resources in this business since its inception in 2008. With such highly reputed participants there are definite chances of improved facilities for the region where huge potential has been explored. A good number of debutants were also there to take part in this conference that would decide future of the industry particularly in this part of the globe.

    Challenges and Opportunities of Cargo Industry

    Numerous subjects related to this very activity remained under discussion among the participants during three days. Apart from focusing on opportunities the challenges were also concern of the representatives present there. All these activities are directly related to the economic activity of Africa and its future shape. The contribution towards growth of airfreight industry is due on all key players and it is so as they want to get benefit.

    South African Airways Cargo General Manager stated as being major player the authority would be glad to take significant steps to set example for others. Industry forecast department of International Air Transport Association IATA has identified this region as the fastest growing for air cargo operations. The annual increase in air freight volume is expected at 3.2 percent and it has pushed further the players to concentrate there.

    Consistent Economic Growth is base for air cargo activity

    Similar kind of report of International Monetary Fund has been released about Sub-Saharan countries with facts of last five years of economic growth that is 4.8 percent and it is really encouraging as no other emerging region near to that mark. That is why this part of the world has assumed critical importance for this very sector.Previously participants were mainly from the countries of the continent but now record participations from around the globe have made it worth noticing for those that have missed it. The untouched natural resources also have great potential to turn around fate of the region by manifold increase in economic activity.

    Previously participants were mainly from the countries of the continent but now record participations from around the globe have made it worth noticing for those that have missed it. The untouched natural resources also have great potential to turn around fate of the region by manifold increase in economic activity.

  • Ethiopian Airlines Opening new Destinations to Expand Air Cargo

    Positive plans to increase the cargo capacity in Africa by adding 98 cities and the best air crafts

    A rapidly growing airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, has made up the plans to increase the cargo capacity to the African trade lanes with the launch of services to seven new destinations. This air cargo booster plan is aimed to start in the first five months of this year and will play important role to increase Cargo to Africa.

    New Places to be opened by African Airlines

    A hubbed airline, announced that they are planning to open new areas between January and June. The areas which they are going to add to increase air cargo are Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Antananarivo (Madagascar), Conakry (Guinea), Osla (Norway), Chengdu (China), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Singapore.

    New Cities with The Best Aircraft

    Ethiopian Airlines is very eager to take lead to promote the air cargo industry in Africa, and their move to open the new destinies is a clear sign that they are doing well.

    They are aiming to offer their services to 120 international destinations by 2025. With these new additions, it is also going to offer the flights to 98 cities with the best fleet of Boeing 777, Airbus A350, B787 and Bombardier Q-400 Aircraft.    

    What Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Said?

    The Chief Executive of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam said, “Africa’s share of Global Aviation is the smallest which is only around 3%. As the largest Airline group in the continent, we are highly concerned on the low base of air connectivity in the continent.”

    He further added, “Looking beyond the current economic slowdown especially in the oil export dependent economies of Africa, we firmly believe that the continent will become the magnet for foreign direct investments, trade and tourism, which are the engines of air travel growth and in turn efficient air connectivity also drives socio-economic development and we are happy to contribute our share in 21st Century African Transformations.”

    IATA Statistics to Show Cargo Load Factor

    In the last November, the statistics of IATA showed that the cargo load factors declined year on year for the 19th consecutive months to reach 25.3%, the lowest level of any region which is nominated by the airlines organizations.

    However, the efforts of the continent’s largest airline group are up to the mark and these will surely put the air cargo industry to the next levels.

  • Enormous Cargo Expansion by Emirates Group

    Emirates in planning to expand their cargo business in addition with Controlled Temperature Cargo

    Emirate is a renowned airline company serving for its customers since many years. It has also entered in the cargo line to give additional supportive services to customers. The evolution doesn’t stop here. The Emirates group has opened a Dh600 million cargo-handling extension, with a special cool-storage facility which is dedicated to pharmaceutical shipments to Africa from Dubai International Airport.

    Emirates Sky Cargo Extension

    The cargo business of Emirates is known as Sky Cargo and has expanded its existing 80,000 squares meter facility and added another 11,000 sq meters for massive cargo shipping projects. Out from the new expansion area, the 4,000 sq metres are dedicated to the SkyPharma which deals in pharma cargo.

    Last year, Sky Cargo was also expanded to 15,000 sq metres by Dh 700 million cargo-handling extension. This mighty expansion in the very next year is intimating that the coming years will bring mighty massive cargo developments.

    What Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Said?

    The Chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Emirates group, Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed said’ “this will be a good facility to serve the market and the whole region”.

    Before this expansion, the pharma handling and cargo operations were handled at Emirates general cool chain cargo areas. Now, Dubai South and Dubai International Airport has opened their segregated areas for temperature controlled cargo shipments.

    Strict European Union Guidelines

    In 2013, there are some strict guidelines forwarded from the European Union that there must be segregation for controlled temperature cargo shipping. Sky Cargo has expanded its cargo segregation and now handles products such as diabetes and cancer medicines, blood derivatives and vaccines.

    According to a recent survey, the total Cargo volume for Emirates regarding pharma shipping is 11,000 tones out of 2.5 million tones. Emirates Airlines is planning to capture massive cargo market, and this is one of their effective results towards their goal achievement.

  • Another Airline Vanished Off the Radar! Mediterranean Left No Clue

    The Egyptian airline flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo disappears over Mediterranean with 68 On-board

    An Egypt air airbus 320, flight number MS804 has followed the path of Malaysian Airline MH370 and disappeared on the Mediterranean with 68 passengers on board. There is no clue so far that where MS804 has gone?  Is it going to be the next MH370 or it has been crashed? If it has been crashed, where is its wreckage? Where are the passengers and all the air cargo on board? There are thousands of question to be answered but Egyptian Army, Greek forces and French Authorities are trying to find it in assistance with Airbus experts.

    When MS804 disappeared?

    Flight MS804 vanished at 02.30 hours nearby time after leaving Greek airspace. Up to now the intent of vanishing off the radar screens isn’t known and Egyptair has asked the media to halt gambling apart from information and facts are actually recognized. The missing plane, registration SU-GCC used to be dropped at Egyptair in November 2003 and has flown about forty-eight thousand flight hours successfully in the past 13 years with Egyptair.

    What Egyptair says?

    Egyptair denies all misleading expertise opinions and news published by using information web pages and on the social media channels regarding the enlightenments of the Egyptair flight MS804 disappearance and the Airbus confirms that the cause of vanishing of the radar hasn’t been confirmed.

    Egyptair calls for media resources to be guaranteed of the understanding they submit or free up and to abide by the professional press releases issued via Egyptair media centre.

    What Airbus says about the disappearance?

    Airbus as usual regrets to verify that an A320 operated via Egyptair used to be lost at the round 02:30 am Egypt local time over the Mediterranean. The Flight MS804 used to be running a scheduled service from Paris, France to Cairo, Egypt.

    Greek Sources Wreckage Claim

    Greek officials have cast doubt on Egypt’s affirmation that it determined particles belonging to flight MS804, giving a contradictory justification of the findings to the media. They have started giving the statements like in the case of MH370 that the debris and belongings.

    Egypt Ambassador to France

    Egypt’s ambassador to France, Ehab, Badawy, on the BFM television said that all he will say is that Egypt embassy in Athens instructed that it used to be contacted by way of Greek authorities, who signalled that they found white and blue debris akin to Egypt Air’s colours.

    It’s still a Mystery

    However, Greek sources have informed that the material that they had located thus far was once now not blue and white. The media meanwhile has word from an unnamed senior Greek official, who says the particles determined thus far does now not belong to flight MS804.

    Egypt’s Civil Aviation ministry had stated floating material, together with lifestyles jackets and plastic objects, have been found in the sea off the Greek island of Karpathos, practically the suspected area of the airplane crash. The media also got the opinion of a former transport authentic from the United States, who mentioned the sparse evidence up to now indicates a bomb is extra probably than mechanical failure.

  • How to Manage Cargo and Courier Delivery

    International shipping of cargo or courier delivery is a complicated process so before plan a delivery you need to know the important information about the cargo or courier delivery.It is significant to know techniques about how to deliver worldwide?

    There are many methods for the transportation of the goods around the globe. Some of them are cheap and some are expensive but in spite of all the shipping methods the selection of the medium of transportation depends upon the customer.In the shipping industry air cargo is a reliable and quick source for the shipping of the goods around the world.

    In the same way the door to door delivery of the shipments has greater value in the logistics industry. International shipping is not a matter of stress for the freight forwarding companies. But it is a game of puzzle for the customers and there are many questions that disturbs the customer during the shipping internationally, especially for those customers who first time sends their products by air cargo.

    An important information is given below for those who are unaware about this process. These questions will help the sender before cargo delivery.

    What is Volume Weight?

    A less dense shipment occupies more volume of space, in comparison to its real weight. Generally dimensional weight is a space of a shipment occupied in the air carrier.

    The cost of the shipment can be affected by the amount of the space that the shipment occupied in the air carrier.

    How to Calculate the Volume weight?

    The volume, weight depends on the dimension of the shipment. The volume, weight formula for the air cargo is calculated by the multiplying of the length, width, height of the package and divided by 6000.

    The volume, weight calculating formula is different for the different method of shipping.

    What is chargeable Weight?

    In the air cargo the chargeable weight is calculated on the basis of the volume, weight or gross weight.

    In other words the chargeable weight is the Volumetric Weight of the shipment.

    What is prohibited cargo?

    All hazardous and illegal products are not allowed in the air cargo. Transportation of the hazardous items is a serious crime in the aviation industry.

    Prohibited cargo includes currency, bearer instrument, lithium batteries, semi-liquids and radio-active material.

    Customs Clearance process

    After the inspection of the customs department the shipment can leave or enter into the country.

    Essential shipping documents are required for the customs clearance of the shipment.