1. **Deutsche Bahn Reveals New Developments with DB Schenker**

On May 24, it was reported that Deutsche Bahn AG has received several confirmed bids for its logistics unit, DB Schenker, which could fetch over €15 billion ($16 billion) in one of Europe's largest transactions this year.

According to insiders, a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners Plc and Carlyle Group Inc. submitted a bid valuing the business at approximately €14 billion. Other bidders such as DSV, Maersk, and MSC also made offers but were less aggressive in pricing compared to the private equity consortium. Deutsche Bahn is currently evaluating the latest round of potential sale offers it has received and stated that these confirmed, non-binding bids have been submitted and are being carefully assessed before the next stage of the sales process, which is proceeding as planned.

Source: Cross-border E-commerce Logistics Expert

2. **TEMU Expected to Achieve Profitability by 2025**

On May 24, Pinduoduo released its Q1 2024 financial report. In its global business segment, Pinduoduo's cross-border platform TEMU introduced new models such as semi-fulfillment and OBM: sellers with warehouse logistics partners in target countries can decide on their own warehousing and logistics solutions. Additionally, TEMU accelerated its business development in regions including the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America to mitigate the potential risk of over-reliance on a single market. Enhancing supply chain capabilities, compliance capabilities, and service capabilities will be TEMU’s main areas of focus.

Reports from institutions such as BOCOM International indicate that TEMU's cost control was effective this quarter, significantly narrowing its loss rate, and it is expected to achieve profitability by 2025. BOCOM International noted that TEMU's gross merchandise volume (GMV) in Q1 reached $10 billion, with the loss rate expected to narrow to 9%. In the US, TEMU is projected to achieve profitability in 2024 and overall platform profitability by 2025. Meanwhile, CICC predicts TEMU's annual operating loss to be around ¥4.1 billion.

Source: Eastmoney.com

3. **China Eastern Logistics to Actively Promote South China Hub Construction**

On May 24, China Eastern Logistics' investor briefing revealed that in 2023, the total cargo and mail transportation turnover increased by 18.80% year-on-year, but revenue declined by 31.37% due to falling freight rates. In its mid-to-long-term plan, China Eastern Logistics aims to enhance its scale and market share to become a world-class aviation logistics enterprise with international competitiveness. This will involve continuously increasing its own capacity to create a fast, wide-reaching, and secure air express product system. Additionally, it plans to actively advance the construction of a South China hub centered around Guangzhou and Shenzhen, planning to deploy cargo stations and ground operations resources in the South China market, ensuring efficient coordination and synergy with the existing global passenger and cargo flight network and the full-network cargo station system.

In 2023, China Eastern Logistics' all-cargo aircraft load factor was 83.12%, relatively high. It currently operates 14 B777 freighters with an average age of 3.5 years. In the future, it will actively introduce new aircraft and expand its fleet size in line with Shanghai's strategy to develop into an international shipping center.

Source: China Eastern Logistics

4. **Mercado Libre Overseas Warehouse Capacity Quota Officially Effective**

On May 24, it was reported that from June 5 (Chile site) and June 12 (Mexico site), Mercado Libre's overseas warehouse capacity quota will officially take effect, allowing sellers to manage overseas warehouse inventory and shipments more flexibly. Mercado Libre will allocate appropriate warehouse capacity to sellers based on the Inventory Performance Index (IPI) and historical sales. Every month on the 23rd, Mercado Libre will calculate the next month’s overseas warehouse capacity quota for sellers.

The number of items currently in stock and in scheduled shipments will consume the seller's overseas warehouse capacity quota, while the quantity of items in unscheduled shipments will not be included in the quota. If a seller's overseas warehouse capacity quota is fully consumed, the logistics carrier will not be able to schedule deliveries for the seller's shipments.

Source: Cross-border Guide Cpsea

5. **Shopify Adds Three New Shipping Helpers**

On May 24, Shopify announced further upgrades to its shipping features in Shopify Flow, adding three new quick operation functions to help merchants further optimize automated processes and improve operational efficiency in order fulfillment management. This trigger can provide shipping orders, enabling merchants to perform any operations requiring shipping orders, including changing shipping order locations, pausing shipping orders, and submitting shipping requests.

Source: Shopify

6. **Amazon Pilots New Returns Program**

On May 24, it was reported that over the past decade, Amazon has built a vast network of delivery drivers to reduce reliance on shippers. Now, Amazon wants these drivers to take on another significant task: returns. According to information Amazon sent to drivers this month, in a new pilot program, Amazon drivers will collect returns from customers' homes and deliver them to Amazon facilities for processing. This pilot program will start at several Amazon warehouses in Florida and Texas and will utilize both full-time drivers driving Amazon-branded vans and Amazon Flex drivers using their own vehicles.

Source: Jiemian News

7. **FedEx to Establish New Regional Logistics Facility**

On May 24, it was announced that FedEx Logistics has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Qatar Free Zones Authority to establish a regional logistics operations facility in Qatar Free Zones. Located in Ras Bufontas Airport Free Zone, the facility will be operated by FedEx Trade Networks Transport and Brokerage, a subsidiary of FedEx Logistics, and will feature advanced logistics offices. This new facility will help FedEx Logistics expand its presence in the local market and seamlessly connect with the FedEx global network, becoming an important gateway for international cargo transit between Asia and Europe.

Source: FedExPlus

8. **Shenzhen's Import and Export Increase by 31.8% in the First Four Months**

On May 24, according to Shenzhen Customs statistics, Shenzhen's total import and export volume for the first four months of this year reached ¥1.41 trillion, an increase of 31.8% year-on-year, outperforming national and provincial levels, accounting for 10.2% of the national total and 50.3% of the provincial total. Exports amounted to ¥893.32 billion, up 33.9%, while imports reached ¥517.26 billion, up 28.4%.

Source: Shenzhen Customs

9. **Xiamen Port Launches First Sea-Air Combined Transport Express Line**

On May 24, under the supervision of Xiamen Customs, the "Ruilong" vessel carrying 86 containers of export e-commerce goods departed from Xiamen's Haitian Terminal and arrived at Taipei Port, Taiwan, in approximately 15 hours. From there, the goods were shipped via Taoyuan Airport to Europe and America using sea-air combined transport. This marks the official launch of Xiamen Port's first "Great Three Links" sea-air combined transport express line.

The opening of this sea-air combined transport express line will effectively integrate air route resources in the Fujian and Taiwan regions. The total transport time is comparable to direct air transport, and the cost is reduced by 30%, providing cross-border e-commerce companies with a convenient, efficient, and cost-effective overseas shipping option.

Source: CCTV News

10. **COSCO Shipping Logistics Signs Two New Cooperation Agreements**

On May 24, COSCO Shipping Logistics signed a framework cooperation agreement with Vietnam Green Logistics Group in Beijing. This agreement will further improve COSCO Shipping Logistics' overseas service network and promote the creation of end-to-end service products.

Additionally, COSCO Shipping Logistics held a strategic cooperation agreement signing ceremony with Jiangsu Haiyu Maritime Engineering Co., Ltd. in Nanjing. According to the agreement, both parties will focus on high-quality shipping development, leveraging their respective resources to jointly build a maritime industry ecosystem and achieve mutually beneficial cooperation.

Source: COSCO Shipping Logistics

11. **ZIM's Q1 Revenue Exceeds $1.5 Billion**

On May 24, global container shipping giant ZIM reported strong first-quarter 2024 results, with total revenue increasing to $1.5 billion, mainly due to higher freight rates and increased carrying capacity. The company turned profitable with a net income of $92 million. ZIM also raised its full-year profit forecast and plans to continue implementing a differentiation strategy to create sustainable value for shareholders. Additionally, ZIM plans to deliver the remaining 16 new ships this year to strengthen its fleet.

Source: ZIM

12. **ONE's New Trans-Pacific Service to West Coast Launches**

On May 24, Ocean Network Express (ONE) officially launched the AP1 service, connecting Asia with the US West Coast to meet growing cargo demand. The AP1 service, jointly operated by Wan Hai Lines and ONE, will call at the following ports: Haiphong - Cai Mep - Shekou - Xiamen - Taipei - Ningbo - Shanghai - Los Angeles - Oakland - Shekou - Haiphong. This new service offers flexible and diverse options, enhancing ONE’s trans-Pacific network in the South China region.

Source: ONE

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Cross-border e-commerce logistics Bai xiaosheng