February 2023

IBS Software Acquires AFLS

Posted on 22 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

IBS Software, a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, has announced the completion of a transaction to acquire Accenture Freight and Logistics Software (AFLS). AFLS provides technology platforms to help airline and ocean transportation companies manage their freight operations and grow through digital transformation and innovation.

The acquisition will strengthen IBS Software’s leadership as a technology provider to the air freight industry by bringing together complementary solutions and a shared vision for innovating and transforming the air cargo businesses. Boosting the freight business is an increasingly critical priority for airlines and the AFLS acquisition consolidates latest innovations to accelerate growth, especially AFLS’ cloud-based collaboration platforms which deliver advancements in airline partnerships – a major focus area for carriers.

The acquisition is also a strategic step in recognizing IBS Software’s vision to establish itself as an end-to-end player in the global freight supply chain. AFLS has a strong heritage in ocean freight innovation with a suite of new generation platforms that enable ocean carriers to automate critical business functions and make data-led decisions for commercial operations. Further, the transaction helps the company to deploy its cargo and logistics management expertise in the ocean transportation sector.

With increasing industry focus on the digitalization of the ocean supply chain to improve efficiencies, expansion into ocean cargo presents a significant growth opportunity for IBS Software. The acquisition will also allow the company to tap into a highly capable talent pool of experts in logistics and supply chain management that can drive innovation and deliver value to the industry.

To support this expansion, IBS Software will open a new development centre in Chennai, its fourth in India, for travel, transportation and logistics. The centre will accelerate the company’s mission to transform how travel companies operate in a digital world by delivering next-generation products to accelerate growth, drive efficiency, and create differentiated customer experiences.

“The acquisition of AFLS is a strategically important milestone for our cargo and logistics business to broaden its global footprint, with ocean transportation being a natural adjacent industry in which to expand our expertise,” said V K Mathews, Executive Chairman of IBS Software. “It is a synergistic opportunity to bring our decades of experience and expertise to the ocean cargo business, as well as strengthen our own capabilities to provide greater value to the air cargo customers.”

“Cargo and logistics are vital to the global economy. It’s an area ripe for growth and hungry for transformation. Recent moves by logistics businesses to enter air cargo as they seek to influence the supply chain at every level are evidence of the growing disruption in the sector. AFLS will be pivotal in our wider mission to transform the global supply chain through digital innovation,” said Anand Krishnan, CEO, IBS Software.

P&O Maritime Logistics Aids Offshore Wind Farms

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by David Priestman

P&O Maritime Logistics, a leading provider of maritime services globally, today announced plans to convert one of its Multi-Carrying Vessels (MCV’s) into a Cable-Laying Vessel (CLV). Powered by alternative energy, the vessel will be the first-of-its-kind within the company’s fast-expanding portfolio of specialised offshore products and services.

Set to start operations in the third quarter of 2024, the conversion aligns with P&O Maritime Logistics’ commitment to decarbonising the industry by progressively moving towards zero-carbon operations. To achieve these ambitious goals, the company’s newly converted vessel will be equipped with a state-of-the-art battery system, as well as a low fuel consumption propulsion layout for green methanol fuel.

Supporting P&O Maritime Logistics’ global expansion plans and product offering, the new CLV will give P&O Maritime Logistics’ customers the ability to connect offshore structures and bring offshore energy onshore by installing export and inner array cables across vast distances. The company anticipates that one of the main use of the vessel will be to connect offshore wind farms with the mainland, marking yet another contribution in the company’s effort to enable the Green Energy Shift.

Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics said:

“The conversion of our vessel is a real step change. It means, apart from expanding our existing services and products into a more specialised offering, that we can also make a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of our industry. One way of doing this is by using alternative energy to power the converted vessel. The other important contribution is that the Cable Laying Vessel will predominately support the construction, development, and maintenance of existing and prospective wind farms. Lastly, and by repurposing an existing vessel, we are able to extend the lifetime of this particular product quite significantly to keep up with the increasing demand in the sector.”

Speaking about the conversion, Marc van der Zwaluw, Project Manager at C-Job Naval Architects, said:

“We are pleased to support P&O Maritime Logistics with the design of a cable-laying vessel by repurposing an existing module carrier vessel. With the increasing demand in the offshore wind sector, this vessel will be able to meet the operational demands for the installation of next-generation windmill infrastructure thanks to its optimised deck layout.

“Furthermore, in close cooperation with P&O Maritime Logistics, we were able to create a design that was best suited to their operational profile. The design focused on optimised vessel performance and features a DP-2 positioning system and a low fuel consumption propulsion layout that is ready for green methanol fuel and zero emission operations.”

The conversion by P&O Maritime Logistics builds on the company’s recent success in Taiwan with the Topaz Installer. The newly converted vessel will have the ability to host up to 64 seafarers and features a single basket cable carousel with an outside diameter of 24 meters. With this astounding span, a core height of 5.5, as well as a 30 tons SWL AHC subsea crane, the newly converted vessel is a testament to P&O Maritime Logistics commitment to adapt its portfolio for future energy needs.

P&O Maritime Logistics, a DP World company, last completed a study calculating the Scope 3 emissions footprint using a spend-based methodology. The study will be verified through an external auditor and reported in DP World’s 2022 Annual and ESG Reports. Following the establishment of the methodology and baseline, DP World is developing a strategy to reduce Scope 3 emissions which focuses on top emission hotspots. In 2023, DP World intends to work with key suppliers in those categories to understand their footprint and set out decarbonisation targets and strategies, jointly moving towards emission reductions.

P&O Maritime Logistics Aids Offshore Wind Farms

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by Keith McKinley

Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics said:

Speaking about the conversion, Marc van der Zwaluw, Project Manager at C-Job Naval Architects, said:

New UK-Belgium Ferry Sailings

Posted on 21 February, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

P&O Ferries is joining forces with Finnlines to boost the flow of trade between Belgium and the UK by introducing new ferry sailings on the Zeebrugge-Teesport route.

In response to increased customer demand, P&O Ferries will charter Finnlines’ MS Finnpulp for three days a week under a new services agreement. This move will increase the overall number of P&O Ferries sailings to six and give customers more options on the key trading route between Britain and the Continent.

Peter Hebblethwaite, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries, said: “We are delighted to announce that in co-operation with Finnlines we will support the UK and European economies by increasing freight capacity and strengthening resilience on the key Teesport – Zeebrugge route. This expansion of our services in response to what our customers are telling us they want demonstrates our commitment to providing vitally important trade routes for UK exporters and trading partners.”

“We have made changes to our business so that we can flex our offer in line with market demand and are now focused on growth. We are determined to make P&O Ferries the best ferry company in Europe, which means the best ships, the best routes and the best value for tourist and freight customers.”

Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines Plc, added: “We have been pleased by our partnership in Zeebrugge since September 2021 and are delighted to strengthen it further by this contract. We are confident this will be a new and successful milestone for Finnlines and P&O Ferries co-operation on the North Sea.”

From 28th February the new sailings will operate from Tuesdays to Thursdays, ensuring that freight customers will have an increased level of capacity during the midweek peak. MS Finnpulp has a capacity for 3,259 lane metres of cargo, equivalent to around 225 trailers. On its return to Zeebrugge, the vessel will be discharged and loaded for Finnlines’ service between Zeebrugge and Rosslare, Ireland. P&O Ferries will also provide stevedoring and ship handling services for Finnlines’ Zeebrugge to Rosslare route as part of the freight services partnership.

P&O Ferries also operates routes between Zeebrugge and Tilbury and Zeebrugge and Hull respectively, giving it the most comprehensive North Sea coverage of any ferry operator.

New UK-Belgium Ferry Sailings

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by David Priestman

P&O Ferries is joining forces with Finnlines to boost the flow of trade between Belgium and the UK by introducing new ferry sailings on the Zeebrugge-Teesport route.

P&O Ferries also operates routes between Zeebrugge and Tilbury and Zeebrugge and Hull respectively, giving it the most comprehensive North Sea coverage of any ferry operator.

ShipStation adds UPS to its Carriers

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by David Priestman

ShipStation, a cloud-based e-commerce shipping solution, today announces that UPS is live on its carrier services platform in the UK. This new collaboration gives UK merchants using ShipStation access to UPS’s domestic and international shipping services at discounted rates, making it easier to scale their delivery operations, save on shipping costs and grow their revenue.

Quick and easy to set up, the integration gives merchants more choice and transparency when it comes to shipping. Merchants will also have the option to drop off at a growing network of nearly 35,000 UPS Access Point® locations across Europe for greater convenience and control over their deliveries. With no volume commitments, all merchants with a ShipStation account can add and access UPS as they streamline their delivery operations.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart of the global economy, and we’re always looking for ways to make e-commerce easier for them – especially when it comes to cross-border trade,” said Dana Nino, Vice-President of Marketing at UPS. “We’re excited to work with ShipStation to bring our shipping services to more UK businesses. Having easy access to UPS’s flexible, reliable shipping options at discounted rates will help them achieve their business goals and thrive in the world of global e-commerce.”

“At a time when it’s more important than ever for small and medium-sized businesses to save on costs, we’re delighted to be expanding our relationship with UPS to the UK market.” said Mike Hayers, General Manager Europe at ShipStation. “Businesses on our platform can directly access UPS’s affordable rates on our carrier services platform to ship with the utmost ease to wherever they need to in the world. By removing the complexities and inflexibilities often associated with delivery management and instead giving greater choice and control when it comes to shipping, we’re enabling our merchants to focus more on the most essential part of their business, the end-consumer.”

Every day, tens of thousands of e-commerce retailers rely on ShipStation to solve the day-to-day challenges of importing orders and processing shipments. The trusted leader in shipping software since its founding in 2011, ShipStation helps online sellers scale their businesses and deliver exceptional customer experiences, with an intuitive online solution that allows them to efficiently ship orders – wherever they sell and however they ship. The multi-channel and multi-carrier platform offers the most integrations of any e-commerce solution, with more than 300 partnerships with leading shopping carts, marketplaces, carriers and fulfilment services, including UPS, FedEx, USPS, Royal Mail, Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce. ShipStation is a member of the Auctane family of companies and is headquartered in Austin, TX.

ShipStation adds UPS to its Carriers

Posted on 21 February, 20237 August, 2025 by David Priestman

Logistic Solutions for the Circular Economy

Posted on 20 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Breaking new ground by developing tailor-made products that meet the circular economy and customers’ individual requirements – that’s what drives Cabka. The market leader for reusable transport packaging made of recycled plastic will be presenting its broad portfolio of large load carriers and pallets at ProMAT in Chicago (March 20-23, 2023) at booth S4149.

ProMat is an ideal platform for Cabka’s large load carriers and pallets, which combine innovation and sustainability. Cabka’s vision is that logistics not only moves goods, but can fundamentally change storage and transport processes – with benefits for both customers and the environment. That’s why the company focuses on reusable and durable products made from recycled plastics. This not only saves the user energy, transport and storage costs, but also helps to address the growing need for companies to reduce their scope 3 emissions for Green House Gasses (GHG). To achieve this, Cabka’s development team is continuously working on intelligent product design with lightweight, resource-saving and volume-reduced solutions.

The company also focuses on individual product developments. “We are the contact for customers who want customized products made from recycled plastics,” reports Jean-Marc van Maren, Chief Product Development Officer at Cabka. “That’s why we are not only showing our broad standard portfolio at the trade fair, but also some customized solutions”, adds van Maren.

One highlight in Chicago is the Retail US5 order picking pallet, which makes the transfer of goods more cost-efficient, safer and more sustainable. It replaces the traditional wooden pallets for transporting goods between the distribution center and the sales floor. It is compatible with existing retail nestable pallets and available with special dog bone feet. The solution does not require the usual runners and therefore offers significant advantages.

As a nestable and thus volume-saving load carrier, this pallet reduces both warehouse and transport costs. The Retail US5 is robust, durable and significantly exceeds the usual service life of GMA-pallets. The pallets are also convincing in terms of occupational safety with their smooth and clean surface and beveled edges. The light-weight design facilitates manual lifting and stacking. It also avoids excessive strain on the backs of employees during lifting and carrying work.

In terms of environmental protection, the load carriers score with their resource-saving construction made of recycled plastic and the fact that the material cycle is closed at the end of their useful life. Other properties ensure that the commercial pallet offers a significantly lower carbon footprint in its application compared to a wooden pallet: low tare weight, volume-reduced return transport and long service life. The Retail US5 is available in GMA-pallet dimensions of 40 x 48 inch, weighs 23 lbs and can carry loads of up to 3,000 lbs.

Enabling the circular economy

Another novelty at the Cabka booth is the CabCube 4840. The superior product protection offered by the units results in lower product damage and waste. This large container features a two-piece sleeve for improved handling. The foldable case is simply stored between pallet and lid for the return of empties. The four-piece CabCube remains together as a closed packaging unit. With its high foldability ratio, it assures savings in space and freight costs and increases the efficiency in return logistics.

The two-piece C-folding sleeves are ideal for ergonomic loading. The four grips make it easy to lift the lid from all sides, the bottom support has eight feet. CabCube 4840 is designed for supplier industries in all sectors and is ideal for distributing and storing large and lightweight parts. The large container has dimensions of 48 x 40 x 48 inch and an internal volume of 247 gallons.

Users can reduce their logistics and warehousing costs with the clever Cabka solution and protect the environment at the same time: The CabCube 4840 is injection-moulded from 100% recyclable high-quality plastics and is designed for extreme reusability. This makes it durable, robust and sustainable at the same time.

For the first time Cabka will also show a CabCube on wheels at the fair. The wheels make it easy to move the CabCube around the warehouse, shop or production hall without using a forklift or hand pallet truck.

Logistic Solutions for the Circular Economy

Posted on 20 February, 2023 by David Priestman

Enabling the circular economy

15 Years in Hong Kong for cargo-partner

Posted on 20 February, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

On February 17th international logistics provider cargo-partner hosted a celebration for employees to honour the 15th anniversary the regional hub for Asia-Pacific, in Hong Kong. In addition, the year 2023 also marks the 40th anniversary of cargo-partner’s founding in Austria.

The year 2023 is cause for celebration in the international cargo-partner network. Not only is it the 40th anniversary of the company’s founding at Vienna Airport, but several local organizations are celebrating significant milestones as well. One of these is the branch in Hong Kong, which represents the company’s regional head office for the entire Asia-Pacific region.

More than 1,000 employees in over 40 offices across Asia

In 2004, cargo-partner decided to set foot in Asia with its first offices in Taiwan and Mainland China. In 2006, the company added an office in Hong Kong, at first under the company name “c.p.” In 2008, the company name was officially changed to “cargo-partner” and the Hong Kong branch became the regional head office for cargo-partner’s continuously growing presence in Asia-Pacific. Since then, the logistics provider has completed its regional network with additional branches in India, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Australia. Today, cargo-partner is represented at over 40 offices with more than 1,000 employees across Asia, representing a quarter of the company’s global staff base.

On February 17, 2023, cargo-partner’s Hong Kong branch hosted a celebration for employees to honour the 15th anniversary of its founding. The local team took this opportunity to look back on the successes achieved in the past one and a half decades. cargo-partner CEO Luca Ferrara expressed his appreciation to the teams in Asia: “We’ve achieved a lot together in the last 15 years. In particular, the past three years have been the most turbulent period the global logistics industry has ever seen. Our team across Asia-Pacific has mastered this time exceptionally well, reacting quickly and flexibly to each new challenge and proving our resilience and passion for innovation.”

Steady growth in transport volumes

Since its founding in 2006, the cargo-partner branch in Hong Kong has grown from only 10 staff members to 130 employees. At the same time, the local team recorded a steady increase in transport requests and shipment volumes. In 2022, the Hong Kong organization handled over 52,000 transport requests, with the largest volume increase in air freight, amounting to 42,900t in the past year. The demand for warehousing services has also grown exponentially, evidenced by an increase of 52.5% in logistics turnover between 2021 and 2022. cargo-partner currently offers 9,600 m² of warehouse space in Hong Kong and over 32,000 m² of warehouse space across the entire Asia-Pacific region.

At the moment, the cargo-partner team in Asia is focusing on the further development of its services, especially in regard to information technology, e-commerce solutions and vertical market expertise in food and beverage, healthcare, and fashion and textiles. Looking ahead, Luca Ferrara is optimistic: “I am very proud of the performance of our teams and convinced that our organization has grown stronger with each new challenge. We will continue to build on our successes, grow our expertise and go the extra mile to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

In addition to Hong Kong, the cargo-partner branches in Thailand and Singapore are also celebrating their 15th anniversaries this year. The logistics provider currently operates three offices with over 100 employees in Thailand and an office with over 30 staff members in Singapore. cargo-partner is a privately owned full-range info-logistics provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of air, sea, land transport and warehousing solutions. With 40 years of expertise in information technology and supply chain optimization, the company designs tailor-made services for a wide range of industries to create competitive benefits for its customers all around the world. Founded in 1983, cargo-partner generated a turnover of 1.8 billion euro in 2021 and an estimated 2.05 billion euro in 2022 and currently employs 4,000 people worldwide.

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