Cainiao and SF come to blows over data control

Last Thursday, SF Express’ daily parcel volumes reportedly fell by one million units after a spat with Alibaba-affiliated Cainiao resulted in SF becoming temporarily de-listed as a service provider option within Cainiao’s logistics platform. This time around, the operational disruptions were short-lived. Following mediation by China’s Postal Bureau, the two companies resumed business as normal […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 7, 2017

YTO Express acquires OTEL to use as springboard for international expansion

On 8 May, Shanghai-headquartered courier, YTO Express announced its intention to acquire a 61.87% stake in Hong Kong-based forwarder and logistics specialist, On Time Logistics (OTEL), and establish its international business headquarters in Hong Kong. The acquisition will support YTO’s efforts to go global by leveraging OTEL’s international business expertise, global network of 52 offices […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 17, 2017

China’s number-two e-tailer launches 3PL division

Last week, Beijing-based JD.com announced it was moving forward with plans to formalize a logistics division, “JD Logistics” in support of the growing demand for express delivery services for its booming e-tailing business. Similar to Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, the new division will provide third parties access to a wide range of supply […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 1, 2017

The quiet rise of Chinese express: STO launches Brescia 747F flights

Beginning today, 23 March, an SW Italia 747-400F operated for China-based Shentong Express (STO) will touch down regularly at Brescia Montichiari Airport (VBS), just 100km east of Milan. The new thrice-weekly cargo service connects Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Brescia via Baku (GYD), reportedly carrying express parcels and Chinese exports bound for warehouses and […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 23, 2017

Forwarders adapt to serve growing Chinese e-commerce market

Today we begin an analysis of trends in e-commerce with an overview of e-commerce growth around the world and a look at how airfreight forwarders are leveraging growing cross-border e-commerce volumes to boost airfreight consolidations. Tomorrow we’ll examine the way in which e-commerce is changing last-mile delivery to “last-mile pick-up.” If you would like to learn more […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 22, 2016

Forwarders fight to recapture e-commerce market lost to Post

Japan’s largest international freight forwarder, Nippon Express announced a new deal to handle China-bound shipments originating in Japan for Alibaba’s TMall.com platform. Volumes of Japanese cosmetics and other consumer goods moving from Japan into China via e-commerce channels have never been greater – yet freight forwarders control only a sliver of this market. Japan Post […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 9, 2016

CFA 2016: Is the airfreight industry ignoring a trillion-dollar market? [VIDEO]

HONG KONG – Airfreight clearly has a major role in servicing e-commerce fueled cross-border traffic in the future, but the conclusion of panelists on “The E-commerce Explosion and Air Freight” session at Cargo Facts Asia 2016 was that individual players risk being squeezed out of this market unless they are prepared to make major changes. […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 20, 2016

International funding for Cainiao

At least six groups injected an estimated US$1.54 billion into Alibaba’s logistics unit Cainiao during the company’s first round of external funding since it was founded in 2013. In a move led by e-commerce giant Alibaba, Cainiao was founded three years ago with financial support from two strategic partnerships, one led by China Life Insurance […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 14, 2016