Faster and more cost-effective than rail and air 
A new TIR route bridges the gap between China’s east coast and Central Asia and connects Uzbekistan to China’s coastal city of Qingdao. The first convoy, including Uzbek TIR trucks carrying blackcurrants, recently completed the maiden run from Samarkand to Qingdao passing... more
Etihad Cargo picks area general manager
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has appointed Giridharan Srinivasan to the role of area general manager – Indian Subcontinent. Based in Bangalore, Srinivasan will report directly to Latha Narayan, Etihad Cargo's director east cargo commercial –... more
Another mega vessel for MSC
The MSC "Claude Girardet” is on its way. Commissioned by China Ship Leasing and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, this is the fourth 24,000 teu ultra-large container vessel to be delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua to MSC. It measures 399.99 m in length, 61.5 m in width, and... more
Porky Pig’s relatives not allowed to enter USA
From 20 – 28 August 2023, agriculture specialists stopped 13 shipments from the same corporation in Hong Kong that were heading to the same company in Bellerose, New York. Each shipment contained pork items, some contained pork and poultry items, and one contained pork and other... more
A regular container train from Moscow to Siberia
Transcontainer has launched a regular domestic service for container deliveries from the Moscow region to Omsk in Siberia. Transit time is three days. The company is expecting to operate three trains a month to start with. The service is focused on the shipment of food products... more
New gateway to the Gulf 
Russia is stepping up its ongoing efforts to gain access to the Iranian railway network – not only on the western shores of the Caspian Sea (see also page 38 of ITJ 23-26 / 2023). Iran is willing to improve the transit of Russian goods through the eastern branches of its railway... more
Iosa's 20th anniversary
During the World Safety and Operations Conference which is taking place in Hanoi, Vietnam, this week, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) marked the first 20 years of the Iata Operational Safety Audit (Iosa). Launched in September 2003, Iosa has been a... more
Hapag-Lloyd promotes Dheeraj Bhatia
Hapag Lloyd’s supervisory board has appointed Dheeraj Bhatia to the company’s executive board, effective 1 January 2024. Bhatia will also become CEO of the new Rotterdam-based Hapag-Lloyd Terminal Holding, in which Hapag-Lloyd’s infrastructure holdings will be pooled. Bhatia... more
Qatar Airways Cargo partners with Xiamen Airlines
Qatar Airways Cargo is launching a new partnership with Xiamen Airlines, the first Chinese airline to operate passenger non-stop flights from Mainland China to Qatar. The cooperation will allow Qatar Airways Cargo to provide additional belly cargo capacity for customers to and... more
The Alliance: service adaptations in PNW
The Alliance is responding to the current market situation by implementing changes in its Asia to Transpacific-Northwest Coast Network. The company will temporarily suspend the PN3 service and enhance the PN2 service to maintain comprehensive customer coverage. The key... more