CEVA Logistics, a global leader in third-party logistics, has officially inaugurated its new automated distribution center in Alashankou, China, marking a significant expansion of its China–Central Asia–Caucasus–Europe corridor.

The 4,300-square-meter facility is now fully operational, serving as a high-tech consolidation point for Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipments and integrated International Road Transport (TIR) solutions. CEVA Logistics customers and local government representatives joined CEVA to mark the opening of the new operations.

Located within the Alashankou Free Trade Zone, the facility is situated in Northwest China just 15 minutes from the Kazakhstan-China border. By leveraging streamlined local customs procedures, CEVA can complete cargo consolidation and onward transit within as little as 6 to 12 hours. This speed allows for the efficient movement of goods from Chinese manufacturing centers directly into the heart of Central Asia.

To ensure peak operational efficiency, the distribution center integrates a sophisticated Warehouse Management System (WMS) with RFID and AI-based measurement technologies. The site utilizes electric autonomous forklifts to manage highly automated inbound and outbound flows, while a centralized control platform synchronizes order management with real-time customs status. For end-to-end traceability, all trucks are equipped with GPS and IoT sensors, providing customers with full visibility for cross-border shipments.

Lenovo is among the key customers leveraging the new facility, with CEVA managing regular transport flows between China and Kazakhstan. CEVA has also begun deploying heavy-duty electric trucks to collect cargo from various Chinese manufacturing plants for consolidation at the Alashankou facility before crossing into Kazakhstan. This sustainable logistics model is estimated to reduce CO2 by 46% compared with traditional solutions.

The Alashankou facility also powers CEVA’s newly optimized cross-border LTL solution, which connects Shenzhen and Suzhou, China, to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for small and medium cargo volumes. The Alashankou facility also powers CEVA’s newly optimized cross-border and domestic LTL solution, which connects Shenzhen and Suzhou, China, to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for small and medium cargo volumes. By utilizing the facility as a fast-track transit point, CEVA has reduced traditional transit times from 20 days to just 9 to 11 days, helping customers accelerate expansion into Central Asian markets.

During the opening event, CEVA was honored by the local government with the ‘Silk Road Innovation International Cross-border Logistics Excellence Award.’ This recognition highlights CEVA’s long-term commitment to the local market and our reputation for delivering responsive, high-quality logistics solutions.

Kelvin Tang, APAC Ground & Rail Leader, CEVA Logistics, said: “Alashankou is a strategic gateway along the China–Central Asia–Caucasus Region–Europe corridor. In 2025, total throughput across Alashankou exceeded 29 million tons, with ground volumes up 8.6% year-over-year. With our Alashankou logistics hub now operational, we are well positioned to meet rising demand and advance our sustainability commitments through innovative, lower carbon cross-border solutions.”

Wei Wei, Vice Mayor of Alashankou, said: “The official launch of CEVA’s Alashankou hub represents a strong recognition of the city’s strategic location as a key port of entry, open trade platforms, and business-friendly environment. The facility will further enhance cross-border logistics capabilities, drive broader industry growth, deepen connectivity across Asia–Europe trade corridors, and further strengthen Alashankou’s role as a key international logistics gateway.”

As European and international shipping emissions rules continue to expand, maritime technology companies Awake.AI and Tidalis have announced a partnership focused on emissions monitoring and reporting for ports and shipping companies.

The collaboration links operational port-call data with existing maritime operational systems to support automated emissions reporting.

Awake.AI’s emissions monitoring software will be made available in combination with Tidalis’ vessel traffic services and port management systems used by ports, coastguards and maritime authorities worldwide. Shipping companies and ports are facing increasing reporting obligations linked to FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS and the IMO’s decarbonisation targets.

Under the agreement, Awake.AI’s Emission Monitor will be combined with operational data from Tidalis systems to turn port-call, vessel, fueling, cargo handling, shore power and gate-event data into automated Scope 1–3 emissions reporting. The system enables ports, terminals and shipping companies to monitor and manage emissions data across port and vessel operations. The aim is to reduce manual reporting processes and improve emissions transparency for ports, terminals and vessel operators.

“Ports already manage large amounts of operational vessel data every day,” said Karno Tenovuo, CEO of Awake.AI. “You cannot decarbonise what you cannot measure. The challenge is turning that data into reliable and auditable emissions reporting that supports both compliance and operational decision-making. The deployments are starting in European ports already this year to meet the CSRD requirements.”

Tidalis CEO Geert-Jan den Besten said ports are increasingly looking for practical ways to improve emissions transparency while maintaining efficient vessel operations. “We are proud to partner with Awake.AI. Their expertise is a valuable addition to Tidalis's global network and the trust our clients place in us every day,” he said.

The companies said the rollout will initially focus on ports and maritime authorities in Europe, followed by projects in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas during 2026 and 2027.

Shipping accounts for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while more than 80% of world trade is transported by sea. Growing regulatory pressure, including the expansion of EU ETS coverage for shipping emissions and the IMO’s decarbonisation targets, is increasing the need for more transparent emissions reporting across the maritime sector.

Tidalis supports maritime traffic operations for ports and authorities globally, while Awake.AI develops voyage optimisation and emissions reporting technology for shipping and port operations.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today visited Jebel Ali Port, operated by DP World, to review operations, meet the teams keeping regional trade flowing and see firsthand the multimodal investments strengthening regional trade infrastructure.

During the visit, His Highness was briefed on the port’s operational performance and multimodal logistics capabilities, especially over the past two months, during which DP World handled nearly 200,000 TEUs via regional overland truck and rail corridors, reflecting the resilience of the gateway’s wider network.

During the visit, His Highness praised the teams at Jebel Ali Port for their outstanding achievements and consistent efforts to maintain high levels of operational excellence and ensure the seamless movement of trade through one of the world’s leading maritime logistics gateways.

“Dubai’s leading position in global trade has been shaped by long-term vision, advanced infrastructure and its ability to connect markets across continents. For nearly five decades, Jebel Ali Port has remained at the heart of a continuing success story, playing a vital role in linking regional and international supply chains while ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commerce under all conditions. We commend the role played by DP World in advancing the UAE and Dubai’s vision for a strong and sustainable economic future that contributes to prosperity and wellbeing around the world,” he said.

“As trade networks continue to evolve, Dubai remains focused on expanding multimodal connectivity and investing in resilient infrastructure that enhances supply chain efficiency, supports global commerce and strengthens the emirate’s standing as a leading international platform for trade and economic exchange,” he added.

Jebel Ali Port is the anchor of trade for the Middle East and plays a vital role in the UAE’s economic architecture. Beyond its role as a gateway, Jebel Ali serves as a strategic base for manufacturing, logistics, distribution and value-added services, supporting and connecting 12,000 companies to regional and global markets.

During the tour, His Highness visited three facilities including the Jebel Ali Rail Terminal, now running up to eight daily services, the BOXBAY high-bay storage system and the operations centre of Terminal 2, one of four terminals at the port. Together, they reflect DP World’s continued investment in infrastructure, automation and connectivity that support the UAE’s role in global trade.

His Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, Yuvraj Narayan, Group CEO of DP World, Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO & Managing Director of DP World GCC, and senior officials and project representatives who briefed him on the port’s role in maintaining an uninterrupted flow of trade through the region.

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Chairman of DP World, said: “Businesses and economies that thrive in today’s evolving economic environment are those built on diversified, resilient infrastructure. What DP World has built over nearly 50 years – the trade and industrial ecosystem around Jebel Ali Port, the customer relationships developed over generations, and the global network and expertise spanning six continents – is what has established it as the region’s most trusted trade gateway. That is built on decades of unmatched experience.”

His Highness was also briefed on the Jebel Ali Rail Terminal, which connects the port directly to the UAE’s national rail network and has an annual capacity of 800,000 TEUs, with plans to expand to 1.6 million TEUs annually in line with market demand. DP World is integrating rail into Jebel Ali’s wider multimodal logistics ecosystem, complementing maritime and road networks with up to eight daily train services.

He also visited the Terminal 2 control room and BOXBAY, the world's first deep-water, automated high-bay container storage system, which expands effective port capacity without requiring additional footprint.

These developments form part of Dubai's wider investments in logistics, aligning infrastructure, automation and digital systems to reduce turnaround times, build supply chain resilience and drive sustainable growth in trade volumes.

DP World operates across six continents with a workforce of more than 125,000 people, over 300 freight forwarding offices across the globe and a maritime fleet of more than 500 vessels. Jebel Ali Port is the largest port in the Middle East and the anchor of the region’s most extensive free zone, Jafza, home to 12,000 companies across manufacturing, logistics, retail, healthcare, automotive and food sectors.

Maersk recently flagged off a dedicated weekly reefer rail service connecting Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster to Nhava Sheva port.

Designed in close partnership with CONCOR (Container Corporation of India), the solution addresses a long-standing industry need for a reliable, temperature-controlled, and lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions mode of transport as compared to road transport.

The service is purpose-built for Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical exporters and operates on a fixed weekly schedule, transporting 40-foot refrigerated containers (reefers). Pre-trip inspection (PTI) compliance and quality-aligned container selection are built into every shipment. Several of the city’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers are already on board, with additional customers in active onboarding.

The Hyderabad–Nhava Sheva reefer rail corridor operates as a true end-to-end cold chain. Under a single-window arrangement, Maersk assumes responsibility across inland rail, ocean freight, and shipment visibility throughout the journey.

The service is designed to serve export lanes, including North America’s East Coast ports (Newark, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah), Latin America, Europe, and other reefer trade destinations. Maersk will also support pharmaceutical exporters with documentation, compliance assistance, cold-chain advisory engagement and, if required, last-mile trucking at the destination.

"India is central to Maersk’s global growth ambitions, and we are committed to building logistics infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the Indian industry. The pharmaceutical sector demands that cargo be moved with precision, reliability, and accountability at every step of the supply chain. This rail service is our answer to that demand. This solution would not have been possible without the steadfast support of CONCOR, whose partnership has been instrumental in making this corridor a reality. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for pharmaceutical logistics in India." Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia.

The scheduled rail service will provide reliable vessel loading, dedicated equipment allocation, and priority handling. This would be a welcome change compared to road transport, which has inherent variability stemming from factors such as traffic conditions, driver fatigue, and compliance-related stoppage delays.

Based on current volume projections, the shift from road to rail is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by about 3,000 tonnes over a period of one year. These savings will scale up as volumes increase, contributing towards Maersk’s Net Zero 2040 targets.

"CONCOR is committed to enabling the growth of the Indian industry through world-class logistics infrastructure. Our collaboration with Maersk on this dedicated reefer rail corridor from Hyderabad reflects the confidence in rail as a reliable and efficient mode of transport for high-value, sensitive cargo. This is a significant step in strengthening India’s pharmaceutical export competitiveness, and we look forward to scaling this model further in partnership with industry." Sanjay Swarup, CMD CONCOR.

APM Terminals welcomed His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the Dutch Minister of Justice, David van Weel, to its terminal at Maasvlakte II today.

The visit formed part of the newly formed Dutch government’s focus on critical societal sectors and highlighted the importance of cooperation between public authorities and private companies in addressing vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Representatives from the Dutch Customs Service and the Seaport Police also took part.

Robert-Jan Ruifrok from APM Terminals tours the terminal with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and David van Weel, Minister of Justice
“The misuse of global supply chains is a serious challenge for the entire logistics sector and for society as a whole,” says Van Weel. “This is why I wanted to visit APM Terminals at Maasvlakte II: to gain insight into how public authorities and private companies work together in practice, the progress being made, and to underline the importance of strong, long-term public-private partnerships in protecting employees, securing supply chains and maintaining trust in global trade.”

During the visit, the delegation gained insight into how APM Terminals and Maersk work closely with local and international authorities, and how these partnerships contribute to safer working environments and more resilient supply chains.

“Criminal organisations that exploit global supply chains are ruthless, highly organised and pose a risk to the hundreds of thousands of employees who work every day to keep global trade moving,” says Niels Bruus, Head of Security and Resilience at Maersk, of which APM Terminals is part. “That is why our focus is on removing our people from the most vulnerable parts of the supply chain and ensuring they are trained to respond appropriately if they observe suspicious situations.”

APM Terminals has implemented a range of initiatives focused on employee safety. These include targeted training and increased automation in critical parts of the supply chain. In the Port of Rotterdam, the deep-sea terminals, in cooperation with authorities, have removed access via PIN codes through initiatives such as Secure Chain. The company also supports background screening, as well as the standardisation of processes and handling, as part of wider sector efforts.

The enhanced cooperation is already delivering tangible results in Rotterdam, explains Peter van Buijtenen, Directeur Douane Rotterdam Haven. “Since the rollout of Secure Chain, we have not seen attempts involving PIN code fraud. We also welcome the constructive role APM Terminals plays as a partner in collective efforts to protect supply chains. Ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the private sector and authorities are crucial to close vulnerabilities and strengthen the ability to investigate and intervene against attempts at misuse. APM Terminals’ approach demonstrates how responsibility and partnership can translate into real impact.”

DP World has launched a first-of-its-kind cargo war risk insurance solution to help businesses navigate disruption across Middle East trade routes, where traditional insurance has become fragmented, costly and often unavailable.

The solution provides continuous coverage across the entire supply chain, from ocean or air transit through port storage and inland delivery, closing critical gaps left by conventional insurance policies, which typically insure a single leg of the journey. By leveraging its scale and relationships across global insurance markets, DP World has also secured pricing that is significantly more competitive than standard war risk premiums.

“This is about solving a real, immediate problem for global trade,” said Yuvraj Narayan, Group CEO, DP World. “Supply chains don’t stop at the port or the shoreline, and neither should insurance. For the first time, cargo owners can access a single policy that protects goods across the entire journey, even in high-risk environments, helping keep trade moving when it matters most.”

The solution covers physical loss or damage caused by war-related risks, including conflict, civil unrest, seizure and derelict weapons, with all valid claims settled with zero deductible.

Available to all companies trading in or through the Middle East, the programme is designed to maintain supply chain continuity across key trade corridors, including the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and surrounding inland routes. The programme offers a range of options, including: End-to-end protection from ocean or air transit through to inland delivery; Standalone ocean, air or land transit policies; Automatic port storage cover for up to 14 days; High coverage limits, including up to $400 million per shipment and $1 million per inland movement.

This flexibility enables cargo owners to adapt quickly to changing routes and operational realities.

The solution builds on DP World’s integrated logistics capabilities and deep relationships across global insurance markets. By combining operational expertise with financial risk solutions, DP World is extending its role beyond ports and terminals to become an end-to-end supply chain partner, supporting customers in even the most challenging environments.

MCH Group, a leading global live-marketing company headquartered in Switzerland, has appointed Kuehne+Nagel as its Official Logistics Partner for the next five years.

From July 1, 2026, the partnership will cover MCH Group’s exhibition venues at Messe Basel, Messe Zurich and Beaulieu Lausanne, together representing more than 182,000 square metres of exhibition space. Under the agreement, Kuehne+Nagel will provide comprehensive services for exhibitors and event organisers, including international shipping to and from event locations of exhibitors’ goods as well as on-site handling carried out in close coordination with all event partners.

MCH Group’s core business includes renowned platforms such as the Art Basel shows in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris, Miami Beach and Qatar, alongside major national exhibitions including Swissbau and Giardina. These events rely on meticulous logistics planning and coordination across venues, markets, and timelines.

For Kuehne+Nagel’s Expo and Event Logistics team, the partnership reflects its focus on long‑term collaborations with leading organisers, supporting complex international events through reliable and time‑critical logistics solutions.

“With Kuehne+Nagel, we have found a partner that brings the expertise, global reach, and operational reliability our venues require. This long-term partnership will allow us to offer exhibitors and event organisers a seamless, consistently high-quality logistics experience across all three of our Swiss locations – and ultimately strengthen what makes our events exceptional,” says Roman Imgrüth, CEO Exhibitions and Events, MCH Group.

Joern Schneemann, Global Head of Expo and Event Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, adds: “We are proud to be the Official Logistics Partner for MCH Group. This long‑term agreement reflects the trust placed in our expertise and underlines our commitment to supporting MCH, its exhibitors and partners with tailored services and operational excellence over the coming years.”

DP World, through its joint venture Laem Chabang International Terminal Co., Ltd. (LCIT), has secured a five-year concession extension to continue operating the B5 container berth at Laem Chabang Port.

The extension comes at a time of increasing intra-Asian trade and evolving supply chain dynamics, reinforcing the port’s role as a critical gateway for Thailand’s economy.

The contract, granted by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), will run from May 2026 to April 2031, reinforcing DP World’s central role in bolstering regional trade flows.

LCIT operates both B5 and C3 berths at Laem Chabang, Thailand’s principal deep-sea gateway and the country’s largest container hub supporting international trade. The terminals can accommodate up to four vessels simultaneously along 900 meters of berth length and are supported by 4,420 sqm of on-dock container freight station (CFS) facilities. In 2025, LCIT handled a record 1.936 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), its highest annual throughput to date, reflecting sustained growth in container volumes.

Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World, said: “This concession extension at Laem Chabang Port ensures continuity and service stability for our customers at a time when supply chains face increasing pressure and complexity. As Thailand strengthen its position as a regional trade hub, this extension allows us to continue investing in capacity, efficiency and sustainable operations. Together with our partners at LCIT, we are well positioned to support growing intra-Asia trade and deliver long-term value for customers across the Asia Pacific region.”

This concession will enable continued investment by DP World in operational efficiency and sustainability at Laem Chabang. In 2025, five electric internal transfer vehicles (eITVs) were deployed at LCIT, reducing emissions by approximately 60% compared to diesel alternatives while supporting faster vessel handling. Further upgrades are planned in 2026, including the installation of additional eITVs, electric reach stackers, and an electric empty container handler.

Complementing its operations at Laem Chabang Port, DP World has an integrated logistics network throughout Thailand, including cross-border trucking, landside logistics and freight forwarding. The company also recently launched a rail-connected inland container yard in Khon Kaen with a dedicated thrice-weekly rail shuttle to Laem Chabang, enhancing connectivity for exporters in Thailand’s Northeastern region.

These services and solutions aim to strengthen Thailand’s domestic and export trade by enabling the seamless movement of goods and materials from port to domestic hinterlands, and to markets across the wider Asia Pacific region.