As 2016 rolls along Turkey continues to invest and expand its logistics footprint, leaving recent political unrest in the rearview mirror.
      Last week in Istanbul Logitrans held its tenth annual conference with more than 13,500 participants in attendance from 50 countries.
      From November 16–18, 2016, the show was conducted inside the expansive, well-equipped, accessible IFM Istanbul Expo Center located just off the main runways of Ataturk International Airport. There, 180 exhibitors from 26 nations gathered to network whilst presenting products and ideas.

Turkish Cargo Sets Record

      FlyingTypers spoke to Turkish Airlines VP Global Sales & Marketing Halit Anlatan about Logitrans and Istanbul 2016 emerging after what can rightfully be described as a challenging summer:
      “This event and its positive reporting of growing attendance underscores that Istanbul as a hub of the Eurasian and Africa market is firmly focused on the future.
      “Turkish Cargo continues to invest in our products and services.
      “Next year (2017) will see movement to the new Istanbul Grand Airport, which will eventually include our expanded and greatly enhanced cargo operation.
      “There is no backing down from our commitment to be among the top air cargo resources in the world,” Mr. Anlatan said.
      “For example, during September, when Turkish Cargo recorded 20 percent growth YOY, we also added twice weekly A330 freighters to our New York (JFK) services.
      “This month we are adding a weekly Chicago service via A330F Chicago (O’Hare) to Istanbul.
      “Looking ahead, 2017 will see our cargo services continue to grow including new frequencies and destinations in the Middle East,” Mr. Anlatan declared.

UTIKAD Welcome

      Turgut Erkeskin, (pictured here with publisher Geoffrey Arend) President of the Association of International Forwarding & Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD) in Turkey said:
      “This event is great as we get to see both our customers and service partners together networking in one place.
      “Turkey is Europe’s seventh largest economy, so this week Istanbul business goes face to face at Logitrans with meetings that can drive our continued expansion on the international business front.
      “We welcome the opportunity to better understand the opportunities that our transportation industry offers,” Turgut said.
      Hasan Hatipoglu, General Manager of Lufthansa Cargo in Turkey added, “Every year we are very happy with the quantity and quality of the participants and the chance to meet with air cargo industry representatives.”
      Logitrans included the usual suspects in terms of panel discussions and lectures as well as a preview of the aforementioned new airport scheduled for a 2017 opening.

Takes A Tip From The Tulip

      Upon completion, Istanbul will boast not only the world’s largest airport, but also the biggest ‘greenfield’ airport on the planet. The new airport will feature expansive and advanced cargo and passenger facilities and other amenities to accelerate the shipping and airline experience.
      Amongst revelations of what some are describing as “The Grand Airport Istanbul” is the exquisite art of the new air traffic control tower designed by Pininfarina and AECOM.
      Among other efforts, some might remember that Pininfarina is responsible for the design of Ferrari automobiles.
      But driving a Pininfarina vision upward is a whole new ride.
      Even before ground was broken, the Istanbul ATC and Technical Building won an architecture award from the Chicago Athenaeum: European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
      A tulip inspired the tower’s design. Evocative of aerodynamic shapes, the tulip is a storied symbol of Turkey’s history and Istanbul’s rich cultural legacy.

World's Biggest Airport

      Istanbul’s New Airport opens for business in 2017.
      The architectural marvel is expected to accommodate 90 million by year-end 2017 (Phase 1) and 150 million by its estimated 2018 completion date.
      The $11.3 billion mega airport is located about 22 miles outside the city on the spacious northern end of Istanbul’s European side. Upon completion, it will be the largest airport in the world.

      The next Logitrans takes place in Istanbul from November 15–17, 2017.
Geoffrey/Sabiha

     Air freight shipments have been a core component of its success and, according to Corporate Vice President Andy Hsu, will remain so for the foreseeable future.
      “Dimerco has been continuously accelerating its global development plan,” said Hsu. “Currently, the company’s global network includes 17 countries covering Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia with more than 143 locations worldwide.”

In The Top 25 3PLs

      Dimerco’s growth into one of the world’s leading 3PLs is now receiving widespread recognition: two of its Chinese subsidiaries are ranked in both the Top 100 International Freight Forwarders and Top 50 Air International Freight Forwarders lists produced by China International Freight Forwarders Association. Dimerco also appeared in Armstrong & Associates’ latest top 25 Global Freight Forwarders analysis for the first time.
      Moreover, after handling more than 200,000 tons of air freight in both 2014 and 2015, the company is now ranked as one of the world’s top 25 air freight forwarders by volume, and “Dimerco represents the only company in Taiwan named as one of the ‘Top 10 Asia Pacific 3PLs’ with 204,332 metric tons of air freight forwarding volume handled last year,” said Hsu.
      “This year the company has also differentiated itself among others as a Vertical Industry Expert in high tech areas, where the company has been building up dedicated task force teams to handle aerospace, cross-border e-commerce, oil & gas, apparel & textile, and auto components.”

Booming China Growing India

      China and India are critical air cargo growth markets for the company. To develop services for the growing Indian air freight market, Dimerco this summer added to its existing operations in Bangalore, Chennai, and New Delhi with new stations in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. An additional base in Mumbai will also open by the end of 2016.
      In China the company is focusing on e-commerce, which Hsu said was “booming” and where the company has entered into distribution deals with retailing giants Alibaba and JD.com.
      “China is the biggest market in the world,” said Hsu. “Fast moving consumer goods such as health care products, milk powder, and diapers enjoy the best growth. Many of these products are imported from Australia, the U.S., Japan, and Korea.”
      He said Dimerco positioned itself as an “integrator” to its key e-commerce customers.
      “We can provide one-stop-shop services for them, covering warehousing, local pick up, customs brokerage, international air freight or ocean freight, and last mile delivery by truck or by courier service,” he explained. “We may not handle all the processes ourselves, but we will select reliable alliance partners to fulfill the services. Dimerco as an integrator will be the single contact point for customers.”
      Inbound cargo to China is the fastest growing market for air freight as consumer buying power goes from strength to strength, said Hsu.
      “The main commodities inbound are cosmetics, textiles and lifestyle goods, luxury goods, baby formula, baby food, and health supplements, etc.,” he explained. “The outbound market is much bigger than inbound and the commodities are varied, but most are low-end products and mainly use ocean freight.
      “This market has air freight potential for us as well, but it’s not our focus at the moment.”

Global Outlook

      He predicted the global economic outlook would remain uncertain for the rest of this year and this would impact Chinese demand, but said the company would continue investing on the mainland, which it viewed as its “home market” for business growth.
      He also said the UK’s decision in June to leave the European Union had been a blow to economic forecasts, but Dimerco had emerged relatively unscathed and was optimistic about future growth.
      “There is no major change in the global air and sea freight markets recently and no apparent improvement in terms of a worldwide economy recovery,” he said. “However, despite these negative indications, Dimerco still continues to utilize its organization strength and the efforts of our air and sea teams to secure new business. “Therefore, the tonnage and volume of air and ocean freight has increased steadily.
      “Looking forward, Dimerco will continue to proactively develop business and invest in North America, Europe, India, China, and South East Asia, and our results will be positive.”
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      Lionel Smith, CEO of Air Cargo Integrators, has had a pretty good run for the past few years, operating out of the Dubai International Airport Freight Gate, where full freighters to Iraq and Afghanistan were a sure thing and about as close as you could get to a permit to print your own money.
      But changing times call for new strategies and Lionel, an old cargo pro, read the tea leaves or saw the handwriting on the wall. Some years back, he cast his lot into an all new cargo center for ACI at Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central), the place where Emirates SkyCargo has based its big global freighter fleet.
      “Stronger tomorrow, starting today,” Lionel said softly.
      “At ACI, customer experience will always be the heart of our operations.
      “Our blueprint of tomorrow lies in strengthening our outlook and investing in our future today.
      “We strive to achieve excellence for all our customer's needs.
      “With our resourceful team of logistics professionals, an extensive global network, and strong, technological backing, we are prepared for the future by building a strong foundation today.”

Puts Money Where Mouth Is

      With allocation of 15,000 sq. meters of land in Dubai World Central, ACI is at the 2nd phase of construction building state-of-the-art freight forwarding warehousing facilities to facilitate air/sea and road movements globally.
      “The operation will feature 8,000 sq. meters of closed warehouse built on 15,000 sq. meters of allocated land. ACI DWC will be custom bonded and have CFS status to take care of consolidation and deconsolidation services for LCL (Loose Container Loads) service in/out of UAE.
      “The scope is for 3PL tailor-made warehousing.”

Service Widens

      “With freight forwarding now as one of our core activities, we are expanding our services to offer 3PL logistics, removals, project cargo forwarding, in bound and outbound logistics, and complementary services requiring similar infrastructure and capabilities.
      “Adding these essential services to our portfolio will turn into viable profit centers contributing to the continual growth of our business while offering excellent service to existing customers and the respective industries. They will help make ACI one of the finest integrated Global Logistics Solutions Companies headquartered in the Middle East.”

The Vision Thing     “As Charter Brokers & Neutral Cargo consolidators since 2001, ACI has had constant demands for logistical solutions from its extensive database of customers.
      “In 2014, after an in-depth feasibility in view of expansion of services, ACI began to develop the infra-structural capabilities of providing professional freight forwarding and logistical services to its direct customer base.
      “ACI's vision is to be a Global Logistics Solutions provider offering a multitude of services to meet customer business needs.
      “Our new facilities will initially operate and service our existing customers' requirements with sufficient equipment and staff to satisfy on hand jobs and immediate requirements.”
      ACI, as a logistic solutions provider, is committed to:

      • Delivering customized solutions
      • Investing in technology and people
      • Complying with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements
      • Enhancing portability
      • Providing end-to-end supply chain services through an efficient global WCA network

Got What It Takes

      “Innovation is one of our core strengths backed by customized solutions that add flexibility and value to your supply chain,” Lionel insists.
      “Our envisioned multi-model option of air & sea provides a combination of speed & economy.
      “In this business, there is no standing still.
      “We're passionate about improving our customer's experiences and solving even the most complex business problems.
      “We don't just believe in offering Supply Chain Management Solutions, but also supporting you with innovation. Our team goes that extra mile to ensure that your goods reach you on time so you have no interruptions in daily business processes,” Lionel Smith said.
Geoffrey

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