Aviation
BIMCO adopts standard clause to address USTR actions
BIMCO adopts standard clause to address USTR actions
Shanghai Port posts 13% growth in auto exports in H1
Hong Kong air cargo slips in June amid trade headwinds; H1 up 1.9%
Saudia Cargo launches campaign to promote Saudi exports globally
SriLankan Cargo joins Freightos
Cathay posts another month of double-digit cargo growth in June
Abu Dhabi launches Middle East's first vaccine distribution hub
Chapman Freeborn delivers critical Aircraft parts to Athens in under 24 hours
WorldACD: Asia Pacific to US tonnages fall further
Schiphol names Eduard Molkenboer as head of cargo
PSA Antwerp joins ZEPA to advance cleaner port operations
Lufthansa Cargo joins the Silicon Saxony high-tech network
Delta boosts cargo capacity with new LA-Hong Kong service
Chapman Freeborn moves outsized cargo from Malaysia to PIK
Hong Kong International Airport posts 10.3% cargo growth in FY 2025
Emirates Courier Express expands to Australia
deugro delivers 15,500 metric tons of subsea cables to Abu Dhabi
dnata rolls out autonomous vehicles in Dubai airport operations
WFS opens ecommerce, freight forwarder handling facility in Copenhagen
Lufthansa Cargo plans VR training for aircraft loading supervisors
International shipping groups condemn Red Sea attacks
Frankfurt Airport cargo volume slips in June
DSV opens Singapore's first "positive energy" logistics facility
Amazon Air Cargo, Air Premia partner to boost cargo network
Ethiopian boosts cargo capacity with new service to Hanoi, Vietnam
4RCargo taps Roman Taborsky to lead Austrian air freight operations
NWSA launches incentive for zero emission drayage
US sets new tariff rates on 14 countries as it moved deadline to August 1
ECS Group subsidiary secures GSSA contract with Thai Airways
Asia Pacific airlines record double-digit cargo demand growth in 2024
Cathay opens a new IT office in Qianhai, Shenzhen
DHL names Markus Voss as new CEO DHL Freight
IMO calls for constructive dialogue as attacks on the Red Sea resumes
Malaysia Aviation Group acquires 20 more aircraft to support long-term growth
ACI World confirms 20 busiest air cargo hub in 2024 with Hong Kong on top
Davies Turner, Manitoulin partner on Canada ocean freight
Global Logistics Network, CargoAi partner to launch payment solution
DP World launches new container management system in Brisbane
U-Freight sees continued rise in Philippine shipments
Transport Logistic Southeast Asia, Air Cargo Southeast Asia accelerates the region’s logistics resilience, sustainability and digitalization
Munich Airport sees 7.6% uptick in first-half air cargo volume
Air cargo capacity overtook demand for the first time in 19 months
Emirates SkyCargo signs service quality deal with Kuehne+Nagel
Geodis completes transport, float-off of three wind foundations
Oman Air Cargo appoints Swissport as its new ground handler in Schiphol
Frankfurt Airport poised to become global pharma hub
Emirates boosts cargo capacity in China with new Shenzhen service
ONE opens office in Greece
Freightos: Transpacific rates slide on early end to peak surge
Hellmann opens new contract logistics center in the Melbourne
MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals
Ethiopian expands Asia cargo network with new Urumqi service in China
Cathay Cargo transports terracotta figures, other artifacts from Xi’an to Perth
S&P: Israel-Iran conflict could lead to sharp shock in global growth
Middle East, South Asia tonnages partially rebound
Ship recycling could double to 16,000 ships over the next 10 years
DHL Global Forwarding inaugurates new Frankfurt air freight hub
IATA: Air cargo demand up 2.2% despite trade disruptions
Saudia Cargo, China Cargo Airlines ink deal to boost Asia-Europe air freight
Oman Air joins oneworld alliance
Air Hong Kong now operating all-A330 Freighter fleet
Air One moves 12-meter cargo from Liège to Abu Dhabi
IATA launches SAF matchmaking platform
APAC Logistics occupiers focus on expansion amid global trade uncertainty
Hong Kong takes center stage at TIACA 2025 Summit
Hong Kong Convention enters into force marking new era in ship recycling
FedEx retires 12 aircraft amid choppy demand
Atlas Air expands cargo facility at Miami International Airport
Asia Pacific air cargo volumes rise again on continued frontloading
Emirates SkyCargo warns of fuel-linked payload concern amid Mideast tension
Qatar Airways reinstates flights as Qatar airspace reopens
Saudia Cargo, TAM Group launch ‘Saudia Cargo Global’ from new Hong Kong hub
Rhenus expands in Southeast Asia with new Singapore air freight gateway
Cathay Pacific maintains double-digit cargo growth in May
Air Charter Service makes top management changes
South Carolina Ports reports stable cargo volumes despite uncertainty
Saudia Cargo inks global partnerships to expand reach
Frankfurt Airport cargo volume bounces back in May
Qantas Freight expands freighter operation in China
JD Logistics debuts in Saudi Arabia
Hong Kong maintains 3% export growth forecast despite tariffs
First ITA Airways flights with Lufthansa Cargo shipments arrive in Rome
MNG Airlines to order two Airbus A350F Freighters
DHL: Early peak season driven by tariff and capacity fluidity
Port of Long Beach sees cargo decline for May
Freightos: Iran-Israel conflict not impacting freight yet
WFS earns Cargo iQ Quality Certification across EMEA, Asia
AviLease orders 10 Airbus A350F freighters
Kale Logistics launches Maritime Single Window in Brunei
WorldACD: Air cargo rides uncertainty as demand grows 6% in May
WFS extends cargo handling, trucking contract with Oman Air in France
FedEx spots freight opportunities for expanded cargo plane operations
Saudia Cargo eyes fleet, network, digital upgrades in bid for Top 10 status
Malaysia sets sights on becoming a key regional cargo hub
Hong Kong sees modest air cargo growth despite trade uncertainty
WorldACD: Worldwide tonnages rebounded 4% in May after April decline
Etihad Cargo, Ezhou Huahu Airport partner to expand Asia-Pacific connectivity
Lödige Industries in Asia expands presence with new South Korea branch office
FedEx boosts APAC healthcare capabilities with CEIV pharma certification
Kuehne+Nagel, SATS launch expedited aircraft parts delivery in Singapore
Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, MASkargo to launch global cargo partnership
Etihad Cargo introduces SmartTrack, expanding real-time shipment monitoring
Airline profitability to strengthen slightly in 2025 despite headwinds – IATA
Air China Cargo to set-up its UK cargo hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Emirates SkyCargo boosts East-West connectivity with new connections
cargo.one integrates digital air freight booking with Descartes' system
WorldACD: Global air cargo market stable, while China-US lane recovers
Mersin International Port completes first phase of East Med Hub 2 terminal
Cathay Pacific, Sinopec join forces in a SAF initiative
WR Logistics appoints Massimo Naldini as CEO for Italy
Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong rail-sea corridor launched
China Airlines joins digital booking platform Freightos
ONE advances green strategy with ship recycling policy, SRTI membership
IATA: Air cargo demand up 5.8% in April
Port of Houston records double-digit container growth
Hactl advances phase two of smart cargo thermal detection
Frontloading boosts cargo volume for airlines in the Asia Pacific
Kuehne+Nagel appoints new global head of sales
Frankfurt Cargo Services expands e-commerce handling facility by 300%
Port of NY/NJ reports continued cargo growth in April
CEVA Logistics links Far East, Latin America with car carrier fleet
Kuehne+Nagel, Natilus team up on blended-wing cargo planes
APAC, Middle East records double-digit growth in air connectivity — ACI World
Transpacific ocean volumes surge during tariff pause
Qatar Airways Cargo reports record year
Lufthansa Cargo uses AI to process booking requests faster
IATA appoints Sheldon Hee as regional vice president for Asia-Pacific
Pacific Carriers, Singapore Maritime Foundation boost maritime workforce
DHL Group partners with Shopify to accelerate global cross-border shipping
WestJet Cargo expands capacity to Japan with daily Dreamliner service
WorldACD: Asia Pacific and worldwide tonnages rebound
Hasenkamp announces first art storage facility of its kind in Saudi Arabia
Swissport, Aurrigo launch first global pilot of autonomous ground handling
FedEx Global Healthcare earns IATA CEIV Pharma Certification
Kuehne+Nagel acquires Spanish road logistics provider TDN
Sudden transpacific capacity shortage amid US-China tariff pause
Lufthansa Cargo expands temperature-controlled logistics with new features
San Pedro Bay Ports open bidding for short line rail services
Neste starts to supply SAF to FedEx at LAX
Cargolux, AIT Worldwide Logistics sign landmark SAF deal
Cathay Cargo sees year-on-year growth, but monthly slowdown amid tariff uncertainty
Qatar Airways Cargo records strongest financial results since pandemic
Port of Antwerp-Bruges launches Europe’s first electric tugboat
Lufthansa Cargo to market ITA Airways capacity, adds Rome as fifth hub
HSBC: China-US tariffs pause would drive an early peak season
Lufthansa Cargo announces executive board reshuffle
China Southern Airlines’ first scheduled freighter lands at Glasgow Prestwick
Hong Kong air cargo volume rises year over year in April, slips from March
Mobull unveils new art warehouse in Brussels
Air Charter Service: Current market the most uncertain since Covid-19
SATS to invest over US$192M to enhance Changi Airport operations
Vienna Airport records cargo increase in Q1
Kuehne+Nagel unveils air freight sustainability initiative
APEC lowers 2025 growth forecast to 2.6%, urges trade policy stability
U.S. slashes ‘de minimis’ tariff on small China parcels to 30%
TIACA names Roos Bakker as first woman chair
Airforwarders Association calls for freeze on tariffs, not trade
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport partners with Somon Air to boost freight traffic
Fednav’s Paul Pathy elected BIMCO president
Awery poll: Security, compliance are top priorities for GSSAs
Frankfurt Airport cargo volume declines in April
Emirates Group confident in growth amid market volatility
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Etihad Cargo reshapes regional structure to drive network expansion
Cargo iQ adds SAL, Saudi Arabia's largest logistics provider
allivate digitalizes import shipment pick-up at Frankfurt Airport
U-Freight earns HKAEO accreditation for high security standards
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Maastricht Aachen Airport makes new cargo appointment
US-China tariff pause offers temporary relief, could fuel another frontloading rush
Turkish Cargo signs long-term Partnership with Atlas Air for 747F flights
Qatar Airways Cargo expands Australian export capacity through Virgin Australia
WorldACD: Labor Day contributes to Asia-Pacific air cargo decline
Finnair Cargo joins Smart Freight Centre
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China Airlines orders four Boeing 777-8 Freighters to expand cargo fleet
Qatar Airways Cargo launches campaign highlighting global trade role
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AAL transports 60-metre port cranes from Europe to the US
dnata expands airside fleet with 800 new units in US$110M rollout
Trans Global Projects names new director as it launches Malaysian office
ICAO Council condemns radio frequency interference affecting civil aviation
Qatar Airways Cargo becomes launch customer of Mammoth Freighters 777-200LRMF
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DP World, Asian Terminals invest US$100M to expand Manila South Harbor
IMO enforces stricter air pollution limits for ships in the Mediterranean
WorldACD: Global cargo tonnages rise 6% in April year-on-year
Kuehne+Nagel, cargo.one partner to expand digital airline connections
ANA cargo volume rises in fiscal year 2024
UK freight group forms advisory body for Heathrow cargo overhaul
Korean Air to build urban air mobility hub in Bucheon
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India shuts airspace to Pakistan airlines amid rising tensions
Air cargo demand rises 4.4% in March amid frontloading ahead of tariffs
Saudia Cargo, China Henan Aviation launch Asia-Middle East air logistics bridge
Geodis, Dolfines team up on XXL lifting device for offshore wind
Emirates, Philippine Airlines to explore enhanced partnership in cargo
time:matters strengthens presence in Southeast Asia
APAC airlines report cargo growth, warn of tariff impact on demand
U-Freight sees continued global ecommerce growth despite current risks
WestJet Cargo expands service to South Korea with increased frequencies
ANA first airline to adopt fuel-saving riblet technology on Boeing 777
FEDEX SEES DEMAND FROM AGEING POPULATION
February 27, 2017

With more than half of the world’s population living in Asia and the Pacific, it is difficult to overstate the region’s importance to the healthcare industry.

 

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Asia-Pacific population grew 0.9% to 4.45 billion in 2016. This growth brings with it an increasing demand for healthcare services and products, which in turn requires the support of the logistics industry.

 

In the eyes of FedEx, the demand for healthcare is being driven by ageing populations, a rising middle class and technological advancements.

 

“As economies expand, living conditions improve and life expectancy increases, so too does the demand for healthcare, especially elder care,” says Malcolm Sullivan, vice president of marketing solutions and customer experience design in Asia Pacific at FedEx Express. “In Asia Pacific, the elderly population aged 65 or above is expected to increase to 11% by 2018. In East Asia and the Pacific, the older population will grow by about 22% every five years between 2015 and 2034.”

 

Imports of high-value goods such as healthcare products and advanced medical equipment are made possible by the higher incomes of a growing middle class.

 

“Asia Pacific alone is expected to account for two-thirds or 3.3 billion people of the global middle class by 2030, up from just under one-third in 2009,” Sullivan says. “The World Bank forecasts that the expenditure of the middle-class population in the Asia-Pacific region will increase by almost six-fold (571%) to US$32.9 billion in 2030 as compared to 2009.”

 

In terms of technology, new developments are constantly unlocking opportunities in all aspects of the healthcare world. As an example, Sullivan says that Asia Pacific ranks as the fastest-growing market for wearable medical devices, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.8% in the five years from 2015-2020.

 

“The net effect of these changes is that the regional healthcare industry is becoming more sophisticated, and the healthcare supply chain that supports it now has to fulfil new and different requirements,” he says. “It’s no longer just about shipping products from A to B. Increasingly specialized needs characterize today’s healthcare shipments, with no ‘one size fits all’ solution. For instance, the pharmaceutical or clinical trials subsector has more temperature-controlled and specialized packaging requirements; medical devices are characterized by complex, integrated logistics; while consumables usually require freight forwarding.”

 

Regardless of subsector though, FedEx sees regulatory requirements and supply chain optimization as two major challenges that apply across the board.

 

“Change is the new normal, and that is no exception to healthcare regulation,” Sullivan says. “As the global healthcare market opens up, the need for transparency increases, leading to an increasingly stringent and demanding regulatory environment.”

 

Optimizing the supply chain helps reduce costs, which Sullivan says is key to sustaining growth in healthcare, where supply chain expenses represent nearly 25% of pharma costs and more than 40% of medical device costs.

 

“Even minor efficiency gains from shortened manufacturing lead times and slashed inventory levels could free up billions of dollars,” he says. “Healthcare supply chains lag behind other industries, such as fast-moving consumer goods, in terms of performance with longer manufacturing lead times, higher product obsolescence and larger inventories. Adopting supply chain advances well established in other industries can potentially help the healthcare sector improve costs by US$105 billion and margins by US$130 billion.”

 

Having an agile supply chain means that a company is more responsive to demand shifts. For example, Sullivan says that the lead time for a typical pharmaceutical manufacturer for replenishment from plants to distribution centres can be up to 75 days, while companies in other industries such as fast-moving consumer goods take less than half of that time, allowing much faster market supply and avoiding critical stockouts.

 

Optimized supply chains are especially important in emerging markets, where delivering affordable healthcare to millions more people can provide companies with a boost in revenues.

 

“Pharmaceuticals in emerging markets are expected to account for US$190 billion or 76% of sales growth between 2015 and 2020,” says Sullivan. “Much of the growth is likely to be driven by the BRIC-MT countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico and Turkey.”

 

According to a research study commissioned by FedEx, sales to emerging countries are growing at 12% to 18% per year, as opposed to 7% in developed countries. China’s pharmaceutical market is the world’s second-largest and is valued at over US$100 billion.

 

The rapidly growing Asia-Pacific economies have resulted in infrastructural deficiencies across much of the region, but Sullivan says there have been encouraging signs that many countries are stepping up to resolve these constraints.

 

“For example, of the 340 new airport projects that were started globally in 2015, 178 are in Asia Pacific,” he says. “China provides another case in point. During the last three years of the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan, China invested more than US$31 billion in aviation-related infrastructure, including 16 new airports.”

 

FedEx itself is expanding its cold chain facility at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport in anticipation of the increased volumes of healthcare and pharmaceutical traffic in the country as well as around the region. The facility is scheduled to be completed later this year and will have designated onsite customs clearance.

 

But bringing about changes and improvements to the supply chain that would benefit the healthcare industry as a whole isn’t something that FedEx can achieve on its own.

 

“This would require the support of the national governments,” says Sullivan. “So our approach, as a healthcare logistics solutions provider, is to focus on what we can manipulate, such as offering our customers the right portfolio of solutions, the operational strength and our global network.”

 

 

By Jeffrey Lee

Asia Cargo News | Hong Kong