Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's leading cargo carrier has added VRR’s specialised RGX and RZY containers to their portfolio to support in the transportation of advanced capital equipment within the semiconductor industry.
This milestone underscores the airline’s continued commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and innovative logistics solutions for high-value and sensitive cargo.
VRR’s RZY (16ft) and RGX (20ft) containers are purpose-built to support the secure transport of semiconductor fabrication machinery and related equipment. Both container types are equipped with advanced climate-control systems and enhanced shock-absorption technology, ensuring optimal protection throughout the journey. In addition, the containers are fully certified for carriage on the main decks of Qatar Airways Cargo’s Boeing 777 freighters.
Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, Qatar Airways Cargo continues to strengthen its TechLift product offering, ensuring that critical semiconductor technologies are transported securely and delivered on time, playing a vital role in supporting the resilience and efficiency of the global semiconductor supply chain.
The Port of Los Angeles has named Alvin Chu as its new Director of the Internal Audit Division.
In this role, Chu will oversee a comprehensive audit program to identify risk, promote efficiency, and advocate for responsible stewardship of Port resources.
“We are proud to welcome Alvin to our team at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Chief of Staff, Stephanie Magnien Rockwell. “He brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors to this critical function within our organization.”
Chu comes to the Port with 19 years of auditing experience, most recently serving as Assistant City Auditor at the Long Beach City Auditor’s Office. Chu also previously led the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse unit within the Office of Los Angeles City Controller’s Audit Division.
Chu graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a double major in economics and history, and is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner.
BIFA's director general, Steve Parker has several passions driving his term in office, increasing the uptake in insurance and building better relations with the EU are core.
Parker was speaking to Freightweek at an event in central London last week, when he mentioned the level of freight moving around the globe uninsured was an "unknown".
"But the thinking is that a good percentage is moving uninsured, and I see some of that come across my desk when things go wrong," Parker tells Freightweek.
"If you make a decision not to insure your cargo, and that's a conscious decision, then when it all goes wrong you cannot complain."
Parker says that he has heard it all "oh, I didn't know", "how could I have known" and he recognises that insurance is more complex when it comes to freight moving around the world.
This is because there is not a single policy that can be taken out at the start of the year that covers every piece of cargo that logistics operators are responsible for.
"You have to take out cover per shipment because what you're shipping and where you are shipping it varies," he says.
"If you're shipping to certain parts of the world and you're shipping certain products, the premiums go up."
Instilling the need for all those handling cargo to make sure that they are properly insured is just one of the passions driving Parker; the other is Europe.
"I think we need a bit of a reset with Europe," he says.
Achieving this, he says, means reducing the level of friction currently affecting movement of goods between both sides.
“When it comes to Europe, we need to make trading as seamless as possible,” Parker concludes.
As the market heads into the August summer vacation period in the Northern Hemisphere, rate declines are set to continue, but the lingering Iran war as well as the recent fluctuations in jet fuel prices, mean the way down for rates will be taken in small steps, not the big jumps shippers endured on the way up.
“Airlines will be fighting tooth and nail to avoid reducing rates as quickly as they went up. It’s not in their interests to lower rates quickly, but there is some relief for shippers with the market on a downward trajectory year-on-year.
“Rates are swinging backwards, and we expect that to continue, despite the situation in the Middle East still being unclear,” van de Wouw said.
The timing is notable, coming so soon after the European Union removed its €150 duty-free threshold for low-value imports on 1 July 2026 and replaced it with a flat €3 duty per item. Market reports already point to freighter capacity being withdrawn from China–Europe e-commerce services.
Rates on corridors reshaped by the Middle East conflict remained far above pre-conflict levels.
AI-related shipments continue to underpin transpacific growth, with spot rates from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia to North America both +33% above late-February levels – although this too has eased from the +41% and +42% levels recorded at the end of June. On the transatlantic, summer passenger schedules kept belly capacity plentiful, pushing down Europe to North America spot rates -27% below late-February levels.
Global air cargo demand grew +4% year-on-year in July after the +8% year-on-year increase recorded in June.
Capacity supply grew +1% over last year as it continued its recovery from the Middle East disruption. Xeneta’s dynamic load factor measurement of capacity utilisation, based on the volume and weight of cargo flown alongside available capacity, rose two percentage points year-on-year to 61%.
“The fact we saw rates drop more from China to Europe in June and July versus last year may be another indication of e-commerce legislation already affecting the general freight market.
“The air freight market twists and turns of 2026 may still bring more surprises,” van de Wouw stated.
Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is flying the best of British exports across diverse sectors from delicate seasonal produce to high-performance engineering and lifesaving pharmaceuticals on its flights.
The air cargo carrier transported over 57,000 tonnes of exports from the UK during FY 2025-26 to the rest of its global network, an increase of 11% from the previous year (FY 2024-25). Between April and June 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has seen exports from the UK growing at 7% when compared to the same period last year.
Khawla Abdulla, VP Cargo Commercial Europe, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “The strong growth in exports from the UK reflects the increasing importance of fast, reliable and globally connected logistics networks in enabling international trade. Emirates SkyCargo plays a vital role in linking businesses across UK and Europe with high-growth markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australasia, providing seamless access to customers around the world. By bridging UK’s regional production centres directly to our expanding global network via our hub in Dubai and through our specialised cargo solutions, we continue to strengthen the flow of trade supporting industries ranging from life sciences and aerospace to perishables and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, we ensure that customers around the world have rapid access to premium international products. As demand continues to grow, Emirates SkyCargo remains committed to connecting businesses with opportunities worldwide.”
Building on its strong performance, Emirates SkyCargo is supporting continued growth in UK exports, delivering the best of UK innovation globally with particular focus on the aerospace, life sciences and perishables exports. The cargo carrier offers wide body cargo connectivity on over 140 weekly flights from eight UK gateways including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted.
One of the global leaders in the aerospace industry, the UK remains at the forefront of driving new technologies and innovations. Between January and June 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has transported over 570 tonnes of aircraft parts and aerospace components from the UK to Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Emirates SkyCargo’s specialised product in the Aerospace and Engineering vertical, AOG, grew by more than 300% year-on-year between Jan and June 2026, highlighting the carrier’s ability to provide rapid and reliable logistics for critical aviation requirements.
Beyond aerospace, Emirates SkyCargo has transported high-value technology infrastructure, including data centre equipment and server racks from the UK to global markets.
The majority of high-tech equipment and aerospace components transported by Emirates SkyCargo originate from manufacturing and engineering clusters around Manchester and London, with these airports serving as key gateways linking these products directly to international markets.
With specialised handling capabilities and a global network, Emirates SkyCargo enables the seamless transport of critical technology assets to markets worldwide.
Emirates SkyCargo has also played a key role in transporting world-class life sciences products whether pharmaceuticals, biologics or clinical trial medications from the UK to other markets. In the first half of 2026, Emirates SkyCargo transported over 1600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals on its aircraft from the UK. The carrier also carried more than 26 tonnes of clinical trial medications from the market.
Newcastle is among the carrier's key regional gateways for pharmaceutical exports, serving a major life sciences manufacturing base in the Northeast and enabling time and temperature sensitive products to connect rapidly with markets worldwide.
With its modern fleet, GDP certified infrastructure as well as specialised multi-tier offerings for time and temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, Emirates SkyCargo continues to be an industry leader in the global movement of pharmaceuticals by air.
Over the first half of 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has been a key enabler of exports for British farms and food producers. The carrier facilitated the exports of specialty food from the UK, including more than 1500 tonnes of Scottish Shellfish as well as over 1200 tonnes of smoked salmon to international markets around the world. Much of the Scottish seafood transported by Emirates SkyCargo is shipped directly from Glasgow and Edinburgh, enabling exporters to reach international markets faster and helping premium products arrive fresher to consumers around the world.
Over 1000 tonnes of food items were flown from the UK to the UAE during this period- the equivalent of 10 fully loaded B777 freighter aircraft. 250 tonnes of strawberries and more than 150 tonnes of cheese were among some of the food items flown to Dubai.
With Emirates Fresh, the carrier’s specialised product for perishables with three service levels designed for different handling requirements, Emirates SkyCargo ensures that items like fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat are protected from origin to destination.
In addition to the above verticals, Emirates SkyCargo also facilitated movement of premium automobiles manufactured in the UK and precious works of art to museums and collections around the world.
Emirates Courier Express, Emirates SkyCargo’s door to door cross-border delivery solution for businesses is also helping British businesses and retailers in fashion and other consumer goods and components reach global customers.
Over and above the movement of trade goods, Emirates SkyCargo also remains committed to the protection of wildlife and habitats around the world. Recently the carrier supported British charity Dogs 4 Wildlife to transport two conservation dogs trained in the UK to Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe. The dogs are working alongside rangers on the frontlines of the park protecting the wildlife of the park from illegal poaching activities. Emirates is one of the founding signatories of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. The airline is a global leader in the fight against trafficking and exploitation of wildlife.
On 2 September, at least half a million European flat oysters will be released in the port of Rotterdam as part of a new pilot project.
This is the first trial of an innovative new method that combines nature restoration with the installation of maritime infrastructure, such as wind turbines, breakwaters and subsea cables. Young oysters are seeded onto foundations and other infrastructure components on land before these are installed at sea.
A consortium of companies, research institutes and nature organisations aims to use this approach to restore oyster reefs in the North Sea on a large scale. Oyster reefs have become rare, even though oysters are keystone species that support biodiversity. They build reefs, filter the water and provide habitat and food for countless other animals.
Under the remote-setting method being trialled, millions of oyster larvae are reared in a specialised hatchery and then transferred to a location near the sea, such as a port. There, they are placed in shipping containers filled with seawater and stones.
Within days, the larvae attach themselves to the stones and begin developing into young oysters. The consortium is also investigating how reef sounds affect this process. Do European flat oysters use these sounds to locate a suitable place to settle? If so, the sounds could be used to increase the likelihood of successful settlement.
Over the coming months, researchers will monitor the survival and growth of the released oysters. Next year, the project partners will also test the remote-setting method at a TenneT cable crossing offshore.
The development of the new technique is closely connected with the pressure facing marine life in the North Sea. As oysters grow together over time, they form large reef structures underwater. These reefs provide a solid foundation full of nooks and crannies, creating an ideal habitat for numerous species of animals and plants. Oysters also filter the water, release nutrients and remove waste materials from the water column. In doing so, they can give marine life in the North Sea a significant boost. Overfishing, pollution and disease have caused oyster reefs to disappear almost entirely from the North Sea. The remote-setting method could make an important contribution to their recovery.
Pauline Kamermans, project lead for the remote-setting project at Wageningen University & Research, explains: ‘This method means that we do not have to remove adult oysters from the wild. We work with larvae that attach themselves to stones, enabling us to release large numbers of oysters in a short period. This makes transportation much easier and creates an opportunity to restore oyster reefs on a large scale.’
‘The port of Rotterdam is a place where industry and nature coexist,’ says Eric van der Schans, Director Environmental Management at Port of Rotterdam Authority. ‘The Port Authority cares for nature and is actively committed to preserving and further developing nature and biodiversity in and around the port area. The trial involving the remote settlement and monitoring of oysters temporarily released in the port fits seamlessly with this approach.’
There is a surprising amount of nature in the port of Rotterdam, from oysters and unusual orchids to seals and pipistrelle bats. These remarkable port residents can be found on the Rozenburg Landtong, in the Bird Valley and Geuzenbos, at Groene Poort tidal park, and in unexpected places right in the midst of industry.
When developing the port, Port of Rotterdam Authority carefully considers protected plant and animal species, ecological values and biodiversity. This requires expert management and carefully considered decision-making, ensuring that the Port Authority takes full account of the quality of the living environment.
From 8 to 10 September 2026, the EU CBEC Forum, organised by Liege Airport and AWEX, will bring the international air cargo community together in Liège for three days of high-level discussions, industry insights and networking.
The high-level Industry Leaders panel will bring together: Jeffrey Van Haeften: Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo; Mohanned Badri: Vice President Operations & Performance, Saudia Cargo; Peter Scholten: Chief Commercial Officer, Air One Aviation; Wolfgang Meier: President & Chief Commercial Officer, Silk Way West Airlines.
From the continued influence of e-commerce on freighter networks and the balance between capacity and demand to changing trade lanes, fleet strategies and Liège’s role in European cargo operations, the discussion will address the decisions shaping the next chapter of air cargo.
With Scottish football fans making headlines off the pitch for all the right reasons during the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games putting Glasgow firmly on the sporting map, this summer has been a time to take pride in celebrating Scotland’s national identity.
And as temperatures continue to soar across the UK, Logistics UK Shop is enabling all logistics workers to stay cool and work safely while embracing their inner Braveheart. Available for the first time this week, the latest addition to its popular workwear range is a hi-vis kilt from renowned suppliers Blåkläder.
“Wherever our workers are located, we offer a wide range of workwear that helps them to work safely and yet retain their stylish and comfortable edge,” explains Tim Hyde Logistics UK Head of Retail Operations.
“For our Scottish members, and those who want to wear something distinctive while enjoying more freedom of movement while they work, our new kilts are a perfect choice. The kilts are classified as Class 2 hi-vis items, unlike many shorts that are only Class 1, and are suitable for medium risk areas like lower-speed roads, small construction sites, warehouses and delivery yards.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report that 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work in Great Britain in 2024/25, with transportation and storage and the wholesale and retail trade among the sectors with statistically significantly higher accidents rates than average across all industry1. Slips, trips and falls were the most common cause of non-fatal workplace injury, according to HSE, accounting for 30% of cases, followed by handling, lifting or carrying at 17% and being struck by a moving object at 10%.
“Official statistics show that 4.4 million working days were lost due to workplace non-fatal injuries in 2024/25,” continues Hyde. “Properly fitting, task-appropriate workwear is an essential part of helping workers move safely, remain visible and avoid avoidable hazards.”
The hi-vis kilts are part of Logistics UK Shop’s Blåkläder range that also includes a non-hi vis Craftsman Kilt and, as part of its womenswear range, a workwear skirt.
“The range of women’s workwear we offer comprises clothes that are designed specifically for women as opposed to just smaller versions of a men’s range,” continues Hyde. “It is important that women have comfortable and properly fitting clothes so they can work safely and feel comfortable and confident in the workplace. The range we offer shows our commitment to working with the best suppliers and sourcing the best products, so our customers do not have to compromise on performance or fit – these kilts and skirts are another great example of this and bring more choice to workwear while ensuring comfort and safety.”
The Port of Los Angeles, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a planning partnership to evaluate long-term options for replacing or modifying the Vincent Thomas Bridge, one of California’s most important transportation assets and a critical link in the nation’s supply chain.
The agreement launches a once-in-a-generation planning effort to evaluate concepts that would strengthen safety, sustainability, improve freight mobility, support jobs and ensure the Port of Los Angeles remains competitive as global trade continues to evolve.
The MOU establishes a roadmap for the Port, CalSTA and Caltrans to evaluate replacement or modification concepts through the Caltrans project development process. The agreement is focused on planning, technical evaluation and environmental review to identify the most effective long-term path forward.
Subject to approval by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, the Port will provide $5 million for preliminary engineering, environmental studies and other technical work needed to evaluate potential alternatives.
“Our healthy and resilient supply chain is part of the strong foundation for our robust economy,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Thanks to investments made by Governor Newsom, we can continue to strengthen our transportation system and build infrastructure to move goods from California across the nation for decades to come.”
“Signing this MOU demonstrates our commitment to investing in one of Los Angeles’ greatest economic assets,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “The Vincent Thomas Bridge has served the Port of Los Angeles for more than 60 years, and it's time we start planning for the future. This partnership will strengthen our port’s economic output, create good-paying jobs, and position Los Angeles to compete in a rapidly changing global marketplace.”
“The infrastructure that connects LA and Long Beach to the rest of the world is critically important for the economic development of this region and for global trade,” said 15th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker. “Even as we repair the current bridge, it is responsible of the State and the Port to advance plans for the future of logistics through the San Pedro Bay Complex.”
“Caltrans and the Port of Los Angeles have enjoyed a strong partnership for many years,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts. “This agreement allows us to work together to evaluate long-term solutions that build upon the bridge’s important role while meeting California’s transportation and mobility needs.”
“The Vincent Thomas Bridge has long been a beacon of connection for the state of California and this Port,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We have a responsibility to ensure that connection endures for decades to come. Working together with our state partners, we will evaluate solutions that strengthen safety, improve goods movement and ensure the Port of Los Angeles remains competitive. Cargo does not move itself. This Port is home to the greatest workforce in the world who deserve every opportunity to do what they do best on both sides of our iconic bridge. This is about making smart investments today that will support jobs, cleaner operations and a stronger supply chain for future generations.”
Completed in 1963, the Vincent Thomas Bridge connects San Pedro and Terminal Island while spanning the Port’s main navigation channel. The bridge is currently undergoing a major redecking project to address maintenance and safety needs. That work does not address the bridge’s current 185-foot vertical clearance, which limits access for the newest generation of larger container vessels serving global trade.
The international shipping industry continues to deploy larger, more fuel-efficient container ships capable of carrying 22,000 to 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which currently cannot pass under the bridge, constraining approximately 40% of the Port’s container terminal capacity that lies north of the bridge.
Increasing or eliminating the vertical clearance constraint would allow larger, cleaner and more efficient vessels to access those terminals, strengthening the Port’s ability to meet future cargo demand.
Expanding access for these new, larger vessels, which are capable of running on alternative maritime fuels including e-methanol, would advance the Port’s sustainability goals and reduce emissions per container moved at the terminals closest to impacted communities.
Kuehne+Nagel has expanded its Cool Corridor network for temperature-sensitive healthcare logistics, adding four new routes between Frankfurt and Atlanta, Chicago and Narita, Brussels and São Paulo, and Chicago and São Paulo.
The expansion increases the global reach of its network to 12 airfreight lanes connecting major healthcare and pharmaceutical hubs across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. The Frankfurt to Atlanta route strengthens the network with dedicated weekly capacity on Kuehne+Nagel's own Boeing 747-8 freighter, Inspire.
Designed for vaccines, peptides, biologics and other temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, Cool Corridors are dedicated transport routes that combine GDP-compliant handling with tightly controlled transfer processes to minimise Time Out of Range (ToR) throughout the shipment journey.
Traditional cold chain shipments often depend on active containers with built-in cooling systems to manage the risk of temperature excursions. Cool Corridors take a different approach by establishing GDP-compliant, temperature-controlled airfreight lanes where Kuehne+Nagel, airlines, and ground handlers follow strict protocols and handling procedures to keep healthcare shipments within defined temperature ranges.
“Healthcare customers are looking for ways to maintain product quality while improving efficiency and sustainability across their supply chains. Cool Corridors provide greater control across the shipment journey, helping protect temperature-sensitive products. With more confidence in shipment conditions, customers can use lighter passive packaging, creating opportunities to reduce logistics costs and transport emissions without compromising product integrity,” says Dorothee Becher, VP Global Air Logistics Healthcare at Kuehne+Nagel.
This development reflects Kuehne+Nagel’s strategic focus on strengthening healthcare logistics. Through close collaboration with leading airlines and ground handling partners, the company continues to expand its Cool Corridor network in response to customer demand while providing reliable, GDP-compliant end-to-end transportation.
An in-house announcement here, and one for all those keen to get the inside scoop from an industry veteran.
Freightweek’s October 2026 cover issue will be an exclusive sit down with airfreight guru Aydin Alpa where we chat all things supply chain.
Boasting more than 40 years’ experience, Alpa has occupied some of the biggest c-suite roles across the logistics, handling, forwarding, aviation, GSA, and TCM sectors. But all this came from humble beginnings, starting out as a cargo/baggage ramp agent for Ogden Allied Aviation Services ground handling company at JFK International Airport while concurrently studying at university in New York.
As one industry insider notes, “Aydin’s story is one rising from the very bottom to the very top… it is an extraordinary success story”. It is this success and expertise that Freightweek will tap into as Alpa gives his insights for what to avoid to bring long term sustainable growth.
