Logistics Bulletin

Monday 18 January 2021

This week’s Logistics Bulletin reports on preliminary results for 2020 at Deutsche Post DHL. The Company increased consolidated revenue by 5.0% and achieved a record EBIT performance, with strong results in each business unit, except Supply Chain. Post & Parcel Germany saw full year revenue up 7.0% with EBIT climbing 29.0%; Express’ full year revenue increased 12.0% with EBIT up 35.0%; Global Forwarding, Freight saw full year revenue increase 5.0% as EBIT jumped 13.0%; Supply Chain’s full year revenue was down 7.0% with EBIT down by 53.0%; and eCommerce Solutions increased revenue by 19.0% with a significant turnaround in profitability from losses in 2019.

Elsewhere this week, Alibaba Group’s logistics arm, Cainiao Network, has launched a container-booking service for air and sea freight, connecting 200 ports in 50 countries. The Company’s new cross-border, port-to-port shipping fee will be 30.0% to 40.0% lower than the average market rate, with booking confirmation available in as few as two business days after an order is placed by the merchant. The announcement comes at a time when the global container shortage problem has increased shipping costs, putting more pressure on import and export businesses. According to United Nations trade data, around 60.0% of goods are shipped by container via 180.0 million containers worldwide.

Corporate and market news...

• Deutsche Post DHL reports record annual EBIT
• Matson reports 139.1% growth in Q4 China trade volumes
• Peak season deliveries climb 37.4% at Yodel
• Rhenus acquires LOXX logistics group
• Hellmann acquires remaining stake in Hellmann East Europe
• Phoenix Logistics acquires Sam Dunn Express and Sam Dunn Enterprises
• DB Schenker aligns with DPD and stops shipments over Brexit challenges
• Yusen Logistics launches operations in Chile

Service developments... 

• Cainiao launches container-booking service
• Bolloré Logistics launches same-day arrival air service between China and Europe
• Smart Solution Logistics to collaborate with Allalouf Logistics
• CEVA Logistics launches Jinhua – Dourges train solution
• GEODIS expands and renames its specialist Project Logistics business

Outsourcing news...

• FM Logistic awarded Pepperfry contract for omnichannel logistics services in India
• XPO Logistics to provide logistics and transport of DnaNudge portable COVID-19 test kits
• Pro:Direct Sport extends contract with Unipart Logistics
• Maersk extends relationship with The Ocean Cleanup
• Mars partners with DHL to drive environmental supply chain benefits

Warehouse and distribution centre developments...

• Volkswagen establishes regional parts distribution centre in Malaysia
• Lidl expands in Moerdijk
• DSV builds integrated logistics centre in Stockholm
• FedEx Batu Kawan Station offers customers greater connectivity in Malaysia
• Kerry Logistics Network opens chemical logistics centre in Cangzhou China
• Amazon expands investment in metro Detroit

IT, fleet and environmental developments...

• GEODIS City Delivery enables even faster urban deliveries
• Kuehne + Nagel and Air France KLM Cargo launch first zero emission air freight route
• DHL Express invests to meet continuous growth in cross border time-sensitive shipments
• FedEx Express will be the first customer of GM’s new, integrated solution
• Lineage Logistics partners with Turvo to launch Lineage Link
• C.H. Robinson and SAS unlock new era of dynamic business planning in Retail and CPG
• Metapack to lead shipping services for HelloFresh
• Pets At Home renews its partnership with Microlise
• Kenco launches material handling equipment telematics solution
• ADC acquires eCommerce fulfilment provider, ShopperKit
• sennder raises funds to accelerate digitalisation of European trucking and drive expansion
• XPO Logistics surpasses 300,000 App downloads for digital transportation platform

Personnel and  HR developments...

• Former Amazon executives join Freightera
• ABF Freight President Tim Thorne to retire later this year
• B&H Worldwide appoints Head of Global Sales
• CFO set to leave Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
• XPO Logistics announces senior leadership for Logistics segment spin-off

The Logistics Bulletin has provided global supply chain professionals with the latest insight, news and analysis for 18 years. To receive this highly valued service direct to your in-box, register here. Press releases and articles for inclusion can be sent by email to logisticsbulletin@analytiqa.com