1.China Southern Airlines Logistics Signs Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Sinotrans

On June 13, news broke that China Southern Airlines Logistics and Sinotrans held a strategic cooperation signing ceremony in Guangzhou. The two parties will fully deepen their strategic cooperation in areas such as capacity resource sharing, joint marketing to major clients, and digital transformation. Since 2001, China Southern Cargo and Sinotrans Air Transportation have established a cooperative relationship in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In 2020, China Southern Airlines Logistics underwent a mixed ownership reform, and Sinotrans became a strategic investor in China Southern Airlines Logistics, strengthening complementary advantages through capital ties.

Cooperation on domestic and international routes has continuously deepened, with the cargo volume exceeding 12,000 tons in 2023. Building on their prior successful cooperation, the two parties formally signed a strategic cooperation agreement to further advance in the modern aviation logistics market. They have identified the South China to Central and Eastern Europe air corridor as the starting point to promote cooperative projects, aiming for broader and deeper strategic cooperation goals.

Source: China Southern Airlines Logistics

2.Guangdong Post Launches New Direct Mail Product to the U.S.

On June 13, the Guangdong branch of China Post Group Corporation held a conference titled “New Forces in U.S.-China Direct Mail: ePacket Poised for Takeoff,” introducing two major measures: reducing prices and improving timeliness. These measures target the top concerns of cross-border e-commerce sellers—price and delivery time. The goal is to achieve breakthroughs in Guangdong, the most concentrated area for cross-border e-commerce, marking a significant expansion of the ePacket product in the U.S.-China direct mail market.

In addition to announcing price reductions, Guangdong Post also highlighted a timeliness assurance plan. This plan leverages long-term reserved transportation capacity, collaborates with multiple channel partners, and combines soft and hard packaging in air cargo containers to build a robust direct mail capacity pool to the U.S. Daily flight plans have been optimized to support the ePacket’s resurgence, providing high-quality U.S.-bound logistics services for cross-border sellers.

Source: Guangdong Post

3.First National Joint Venture Cargo Terminal Established

On June 13, the first national joint venture cargo terminal was officially inaugurated at Hanzhong Airport. This marks a substantial advancement in the strategic cooperation between Western Airport Group's aviation logistics company and Xi'an SF Express Co., Ltd., launching a new logistics service model of “unified management, cooperative joint venture,” injecting strong momentum into regional economic development.The Hanzhong Airport joint venture cargo terminal extends the airport's air cargo services. 

It creates a seamless logistics service ecosystem from air to ground through the professional operation of Western Airport Group's aviation logistics company and SF Express's extensive national delivery network. The launch of the joint venture cargo terminal signifies a new milestone in the cooperation between Western Airport Group's aviation logistics company and SF Express

Source: Air Cargo News Express

4.YTO Express Establishes Cargo Airline Holding Company

On June 13, YTO Express announced the establishment of a new company named Guangdong Hengqin YTO Cargo Airline Holding Co., Ltd. The legal representative of the company is Li Hongxiang, and it has a registered capital of 100 million yuan. The business scope includes ticket agency services, air international cargo transportation agency, and international cargo transportation agency. 

Ownership information reveals that Guangdong Hengqin YTO Cargo Airline Holding Co., Ltd. is indirectly wholly owned by YTO Express. This move to set up a cargo airline holding company in Guangdong is part of YTO Express’s strategic expansion in the aviation logistics field.

Source: 36Kr

5.DHL Supply Chain Expands Logistics Services in Germany

On June 13, it was announced that DHL Supply Chain has topped out its new carbon-neutral logistics center at the multi-user campus in Leipzig/Halle, Germany, which is expected to begin operations later this year. The center covers 34,000 square meters and can handle up to 55,000 pallets simultaneously, catering to the logistics needs of clients in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.

DHL stated that the new center can provide multimodal transportation services, integrating the German DHL parcel and express network with rail and highway networks, and the Leipzig/Halle Airport. Leipzig/Halle Airport is DHL Express’s largest hub in its global network, allowing air freight to be dispatched worldwide.

Source: State Post Bureau

6.Import Duties for SHEIN and TEMU in South Africa to Increase

On June 13, news emerged that the South African government has introduced new regulations requiring a 45% import duty and 15% value-added tax (VAT) on clothing retailers such as SHEIN and TEMU, effective July 1, 2024. Previously, under the so-called “de minimis” rule, South African buyers of SHEIN and TEMU clothing could pay only 20% import duty and 0% VAT on parcels valued under 500 Rand.

Source: AMZ123

7.Shopee Malaysia Adjusts Economy Delivery Fees

On June 13, Shopee announced that starting from June 12, 2024, buyers in the Zone KV area of Shopee Malaysia’s Economy Delivery (Sea Shipping) channel will experience adjusted shipping fees. The Zone KV area includes Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, and W.P. Putrajaya. The new rates apply only to orders generated and selecting this logistics channel from June 12, 2024 (Beijing Time) onwards. Orders generated before this date will incur shipping fees at the previous rates. This fee adjustment does not affect seller pricing.

Source: Shopee

8.Baiyun Airport Launches New International Cargo Route

On June 13, the first cargo flight successfully took off from Baiyun Airport, marking the official launch of the Guangzhou-Istanbul cargo route by Turkish MNG Airlines. The route is operated by the A330-300F aircraft, with the inaugural flight carrying 61 tons of cargo, primarily cross-border e-commerce goods.

The successful opening of this route will significantly expand Guangzhou’s air transport channels to European countries and further promote Guangzhou’s integration into the Belt and Road Initiative. Currently, Baiyun Airport’s international cargo routes cover Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania.

Source: Air Cargo News Express

9.Tianjin Cargo Airlines Launches Two New International Cargo Routes

On June 13, it was reported that Tianjin Cargo Airlines has launched two new international cargo routes to cities in the Philippines. A B737 freighter from Tianjin Cargo Airlines, fully loaded with daily chemical products, e-commerce goods, and clothing, took off from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, destined for Manila International Airport. The following night, another flight took off from Shenzhen to Clark International Airport, covering approximately 1,500 kilometers with an air travel time of about 2.5 hours. This marks the official opening of Tianjin Cargo Airlines’ “Shenzhen-Manila, Shenzhen-Clark” international cargo routes.

This is the first time Tianjin Cargo Airlines has launched international cargo routes from its overnight base in Shenzhen. The route plans to operate three flights per week for each destination, with future plans to transport lithium battery cargo on the Shenzhen-Manila route.

Source: Global Air Cargo

10.Maersk Establishes New Container Logistics Center

On June 13, it was announced that Maersk has opened a new container logistics center with a total area of 44,000 square meters in Tocancipá, enhancing its operations in Colombia. Located in the Tocancipá Industrial Zone, 47 kilometers north of Bogotá, the center provides convenient access for customers to retrieve containers. The logistics center includes a 3,378 square meter warehouse, a 23,000 square meter container storage area, and a 651 square meter refrigerated container storage area.

Source: Maersk

11.MSC Resumes MUSTANG Service from Asia

On June 13, MSC announced the resumption of its MUSTANG service from Asia starting from Week 28 to better meet the growing demand in the trans-Pacific market. This route will provide increased capacity and faster transit times between East Asia and the US West Coast. The port rotation is: Yantian - Ningbo - Shanghai - Long Beach - Yantian. The first voyage is scheduled to be operated by MSC LELLA, voyage number UV428A.

Source: MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

12. MSC Launches New BRITANNIA Service

On June 13, MSC announced the launch of a new service, BRITANNIA, aimed at expanding MSC's coverage from China and Vietnam to the UK and Northwestern Europe, offering smoother market and customer connections.

The BRITANNIA service port rotation is: Shanghai - Ningbo - Yantian - Vung Tau - Liverpool - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Hamburg - London Gateway - Singapore - Shanghai. The first voyage is planned to be operated by MSC DENISSE X, voyage number QB427W, starting on July 1, 2024.

Source: Logistics Baba

13.French Ports to Face Disruptions and Operational Interruptions

On June 13, it was reported that all major ports in France, especially the container hub ports of Le Havre and Marseille-Fos, are facing the threat of a month-long strike, expected to cause significant operational chaos and interruptions. The unions plan to continue strike actions in the coming weeks, including 24-hour strikes on June 13, 21, and 25, as well as four-hour strikes three days a week throughout the month. If the unions do not receive a satisfactory response from the government, the strike actions could extend into July. This series of strikes is expected to severely impact road transporters and logistics providers.

Source: Maritime Network

END

WeChat Official Account: Cross-Border E-Commerce Logistics Baixiaosheng