12 December, 2025

Ayvens Extends Zero Carbon Partnership

Posted on 12 December, 202512 December, 2025 by David Priestman

Hitachi ZeroCarbon has announced it has strengthened its partnership with Ayvens, the global mobility provider specialising in leasing and fleet management services, to pilot the ZeroCarbon BatteryManager solution within its company fleet and a number of clients.

The project, undertaken over three months, will track the performance and health of large batches of electric vehicle batteries, within cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy goods vehicles. It will equip Ayvens with real-time data and insight to optimise EV battery management, and prevent unnecessary degradation and protect vehicle performance.

Battery maintenance is increasingly seen as a key driver of EV profitability and residual value. By surfacing this data in real time, ZeroCarbon BatteryManager helps fleet operators make informed decisions on procurement, usage, financing, and remarketing. The pilot will support Ayvens in shaping a technology-enabled business model designed to accelerate EV adoption while helping our customers make the right decisions using total cost of ownership.

“Battery data is now a commercial asset” said Hugo Seymour, Head of Presales at Hitachi ZeroCarbon. “Understanding how batteries perform in real-world conditions, and how operational approaches influence remaining useful battery life, is essential for building EV business models that are scalable, sustainable, and profitable. Our new partnership with Ayvens will give us an opportunity to highlight how intelligent battery monitoring can contribute to better fleet outcomes – extending asset life and reducing the cost of electrifying fleets.”

This latest initiative builds on a joint history of working together to accelerate fleet electrification. In a 2023 project with a leading UK telecoms provider, Hitachi ZeroCarbon helped Ayvens assess the operational carbon impact of over 5,000 vehicles. The resulting data empowered the telco provider to electrify its fleet, reduce emissions, and manage costs without compromising service delivery, by demonstrating the potential for a viable EV charging approach using its own facilities, rather than relying on public charging, with modelled energy savings of over 30%. Further potential savings were identified through sharing existing charging infrastructure at partner sites, with this approach reducing overall costs by up to 18%.

Having accurate, real-time EV battery insights helps us to support our customers in making the right decisions when transitioning to electric… EV batteries are the most valuable asset within the vehicle, and if properly maintained, support better financial planning, drive operational efficiencies, and deliver second-life opportunities for businesses.

said Suzanne Phillips, Head of Specialist Sales at Ayvens UK.

This pilot builds on Hitachi ZeroCarbon’s broader mission to support fleet electrification through intelligent data solutions and will be essential to Ayvens as it expands its sustainable mobility offerings across its customer base.

Support for Hong Kong as Regional Transit Hub

Posted on 12 December, 202512 December, 2025 by David Priestman

Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Limited (Hacis) – Hactl’s wholly-owned, value-added services subsidiary – is elevating its collaboration with a global provider of logistics and supply chain technology, Flexport, into a strategic partnership, with the aim of establishing Hong Kong as Flexport’s transit hub.

Hacis initially provided mail handling services to Flexport, and gradually expanded its offerings to include Merge-in-Transit (MiT) solutions as well as ‘Airport Direct’ import and export services. Today, Hacis is providing a fully integrated one-stop-shop suite of services that enables Flexport to route cargo through Hong Kong as a key transit hub with greater efficiency, scalability and control.

Through its MiT solution, Hacis merges shipments from multiple origins in Hong Kong under forwarder control before onward delivery. Under its Airport Direct services, Hacis handles cargo collection, delivery, documentation, on-airport storage, containerisation and fulfilment, with operations located immediately beside the apron at SuperTerminal 1 for maximum speed and efficiency.

Ringo Chan, Executive Director of Hacis says:

With our fully integrated, one-stop-shop service, we enable Flexport to route cargo via Hong Kong with greater reliability and efficiency. This partnership shows how Hacis adapts to the evolving needs of customers and supports their growth, while helping Hong Kong maintain its competitive edge in global air logistics.

Daniel Sanvicente, Senior Vice President, Head of APAC of Flexport commented:

With its one-stop-shop approach and direct air-side access facility, partnering with Hacis enables Flexport to provide highly efficient, consolidated air services across a broad network. Utilizing Hong Kong’s strategic location as a key gateway for South China origin cargo, this collaboration expands our connectivity and service offerings, fueling Flexport’s continued growth in South China and our expanding presence across Southeast Asia and beyond.

As the shifting dynamics are reshaping the global supply chain, Flexport continues to build out its APAC network, enhance its air freight capabilities, and leverage Hong Kong’s position as a transit hub for regional and global trade. Deepening its collaboration with Hacis underscores Flexport’s commitment to smoother logistics and greater flexibility.

Read the Logistics Business magazine special report on Hong Kong as a Superconnector hub here.

Automated New DC for South African Courier

Posted on 12 December, 202516 December, 2025 by David Priestman

FORTNA has been selected by RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers, one of South Africa’s Courier, Express and Parcel (CEP) industry providers, to automate its new distribution centre in Isando, Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The new facility will serve both as a central hub for RAM’s network and as a last mile depot for local deliveries, streamlining transportation flows and enhancing overall efficiency. As parcel volumes rise and customer expectations for speed and flexibility continue to grow, the new sorting center will enable RAM to scale effectively while enhancing operational performance and adaptability.

Leveraging FORTNA’s deep expertise in parcel sortation and automation, the solution integrates global best practices with local market knowledge, an approach designed to align closely with RAM’s business goals.

The custom-engineered solution is fully optimized for RAM’s building footprint and operational requirements, featuring end-to-end automation, real-time track-and-trace visibility, and seamless management of inbound and outbound flows. Designed with scalability in mind, the solution allows for future capacity expansion as RAM’s network continues to evolve.

FORTNA is excited to support RAM as they take this important step forward in their growth journey… Designed for performance and scalability, this new distribution centre will strengthen their position as a trusted name in time-critical delivery. It also reflects FORTNA’s ongoing commitment to providing end-to-end automation solutions that evolve with our customers’ ambitions.

said Thomas van Workum, President at FORTNA International.

“At RAM, our promise has always been simple: fast, reliable, hand-to-hand delivery,” said Graeme Lazarus, RAM’s Managing Director. “By partnering with FORTNA to automate our new Isando distribution centre, we are enhancing that promise. This facility allows us to handle growing volumes with greater agility while ensuring accuracy, visibility, and service excellence for every customer from A-to-B, seamlessly.”
This collaboration builds on FORTNA’s mission to redefine warehouse and parcel automation across global markets, combining cutting-edge technology with proven design expertise to drive long-term value for customers.

Subscribe