1. Cainiao Launches First China-US E-commerce Express Shipping Line

On May 17, a batch of containers carried by Cainiao successfully departed from Shenzhen Yantian International Container Terminal, marking the official opening of Cainiao's first e-commerce express shipping line from South China to the Western United States. This express line, tailored for Alibaba's e-commerce platforms, departs from Shenzhen Yantian Port every Wednesday and reaches the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles in an average of 12.5 days. After arriving at the port, services such as local customs clearance, port-to-warehouse transport, overseas warehousing, and last-mile delivery will be provided.

The head of Cainiao's ocean freight team stated, "With the new e-commerce express line to the Western U.S., jointly launched by Cainiao and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, cross-border e-commerce sellers in South China can now ship directly from Yantian Port. They can also enjoy Cainiao’s guaranteed space and container services, late cut-off times, and next-day container pickup after the ship arrives at the port, accelerating their global reach with a single click."

Source: Cainiao

2. Tianjin Cargo Airlines Opens Zhengzhou-Linyi-Seoul Cargo Route

On May 17, a B737-800F freighter operated by Tianjin Cargo Airlines flew from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to Linyi Qiyang International Airport. After a short stopover, it continued on to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, fully loaded with e-commerce goods from Linyi and surrounding areas. This marks the official opening of the Zhengzhou-Linyi-Seoul cargo route.

The "Zhengzhou-Linyi-Seoul" route operates twice weekly, with plans to gradually increase the frequency. The primary export cargo includes electronic components, pharmaceuticals, and daily necessities from mechanical and electronic enterprises, pharmaceutical companies, and international trade firms in Linyi and nearby regions.

Source: Air Cargo News Express

3. Qingdao Airport Launches First Fifth-Freedom Cargo Route

On May 17, Qingdao Airport's first fifth-freedom cargo route "Qingdao-Osaka-Memphis" officially commenced operations. Operated by FedEx, the route has a weekly schedule, flying every Wednesday with a B767F aircraft, carrying 40-45 tons per flight. The cargo primarily consists of cross-border e-commerce and express items. Starting in October, the frequency will increase to five flights per week.

This route connects the key hub cities of Qingdao in China, Osaka in Japan, and Memphis in the United States. It represents a significant breakthrough in Qingdao Airport's global aviation logistics network, greatly enhancing Qingdao's external trade cooperation channels and meeting the demand for high-efficiency long-distance intercontinental logistics.

Source: Qingdao Airport Release

4. JD.com Q1 Revenue and Net Profit Exceed Market Expectations

On May 17, JD.com announced its Q1 2024 results, with revenue and net profit both surpassing market expectations. The company reported revenue of RMB 260 billion, a year-on-year increase of 7.0%, with growth momentum continuing to strengthen. Service revenue reached RMB 51.5 billion, up 8.8% year-on-year, with logistics and other service revenues growing by 13.8%, maintaining robust growth.

JD Logistics reported Q1 revenue of RMB 42.14 billion, up 14.7% year-on-year, with external customer revenue reaching RMB 29.25 billion, accounting for about 70% of the total. Adjusted net profit stood at RMB 660 million, with core profit indicators reaching their best Q1 levels since the company went public, with revenue, growth rate, and net profit all exceeding market expectations.

Source: CLS (Cailian Press)  

5. TikTok Launches Local Recruitment in Five European Countries

On May 17, it was announced that TikTok has launched a targeted recruitment program in Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Ireland. This program specifically targets merchants with local inventory, local warehouses, VAT certification, annual local revenue of 1 million, and local business licenses. Additionally, merchants are required to have extensive operational experience in other TikTok regions.

Source: KJ123

6. Amazon to Invest €1.2 Billion in France

On May 17, Amazon announced plans to invest over €1.2 billion in the French market. This investment will be directed towards developing Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure, primarily for generating artificial intelligence, and enhancing the logistics infrastructure for parcel delivery services. Currently, Amazon operates over 35 logistics centers in France.

Source: Ladymax

**7. Wish Adds Two Banned Products for UK Market**

On May 17, Wish updated its "Regional Prohibited Product Policy" to ban the sale of the following products in the UK: electric bicycles and electric scooters. Due to the addition of these region-specific banned products, merchants are advised to thoroughly review their product listings and promptly remove any items that may violate Wish's policies.

Source: Wish

8. International Express Business Volume Grows by 25.2% from January to April

On May 17, the State Post Bureau released the operational data for the postal industry for April 2024. From January to April, the total postal industry shipment volume reached 56.95 billion items, a year-on-year increase of 21.7%. Among these, the express delivery business volume totaled 50.81 billion items, a year-on-year increase of 24.5%. Local express delivery volume reached 4.75 billion items, up 22.6%; intercity express delivery volume reached 44.99 billion items, up 24.7%; and international/Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan express delivery volume reached 1.08 billion items, up 25.2%.

Source: State Post Bureau

9. Multiple Airlines Release April Cargo Performance

On May 17, it was reported that China Eastern Airlines saw a 20.06% year-on-year increase in passenger capacity in April. Its cargo and mail turnover increased by 88.03%, with cargo and mail carried reaching 81.43 million kilograms, a year-on-year increase of 42.63%. From January to April, the total cargo and mail carried was 337 million kilograms, a year-on-year increase of 63.18%.

Hainan Airlines and its subsidiaries saw a 7.61% year-on-year increase in passenger capacity in April, but this was a 23.47% decrease compared to the same period in 2019. Cargo capacity increased by 6.41%, and cargo and mail turnover increased by 80.19%, but it was still 20.71% less than in 2019.

Spring Airlines saw a 13.37% year-on-year increase in passenger capacity in April, a 26.46% increase compared to 2019. Its cargo capacity increased by 17.39%, a 43.58% increase compared to 2019, and cargo and mail turnover increased by 25.87%, a 37.51% rise compared to 2019.

Source: Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Specialist

10. Eastcom: Smooth Progress in First Mile, International Air and Sea Freight, and Overseas Warehouse Operations

On May 17, Eastcom announced in an online meeting its optimistic outlook on the opportunities for international logistics brought by cross-border e-commerce. The company plans to intensify research with peer companies, continuously optimize service content, and provide more comprehensive service products. It has already introduced various logistics service products that effectively meet the needs of e-commerce platforms and sellers, particularly in first mile, international air and sea freight, and overseas warehouse operations. In the future, Eastcom aims to enhance its overseas customs clearance and integrated warehousing and distribution services, increase the coverage of flight routes and overseas warehouses, and improve its overseas delivery capabilities.

Source: Eastcom

11. Shenzhen State-owned Assets to Transfer 5% Stake in CIMC Group

On May 17, CIMC Group announced that its largest shareholder, Shenzhen Capital Operation Group Co., Ltd., intends to transfer 5.1% of its stake in CIMC Group through a public solicitation of transferees. The public solicitation period is from May 16, 2024, to May 29, 2024, and the transfer price will not be less than RMB 8.67 per share. The final transfer price will be determined through the public solicitation and approved by the relevant authorities.

CIMC Group, established in January 1980, mainly produces containers, road transport vehicles, energy, chemical and food equipment, marine engineering, heavy trucks, logistics services, and airport equipment.

Source: Securities Times

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Cross-border e-commerce logistics Bai xiaosheng