Picture Credit: Hyundai Motor Company
Welcome to the October issue of “Across Logistics”, where we are presenting the latest logistics technology news and announcements that happened over the last month.
Here is the list of topics in this issue:
- Uber Freight Expands Its Operations to Poland
- Hyundai Reveals HDC-6 Neptune, a Concept of Hydrogen-Powered Class 8 Heavy-Duty Truck
- UPS Plans to Add More Than 6,000 Vehicles to Its Natural Gas Fleet
- Traxens Partners with Port of Rotterdam to Better Understand the Challenges Facing the Maritime Industry
- Flexport Acquires Online Container Tracking Solution Crux Systems to Further Enhance Shipment Visibility
- FedEx Will Test Its Delivery Robot Roxo in Dubai
- UPS Becomes America’s First Nationwide Drone Airline
- Deutsche Post DHL Group Accelerates Growth in Core Businesses and Invests €2 Billion in Digital Transformation
Trucking
Uber Freight Expands Its Operations to Poland
Following the successful launch in the Netherlands and Germany, Uber Freight is now moving on to take over the Polish market. This month the company announced that it brings its platform which connects carriers with loads to haul, offering upfront pricing, fast payment, and the ability to book loads with a few clicks to Poland.
“Poland is the second-largest market for carrier enterprises in Europe, and the logistics industry employs around 300,000 people. Digital solutions such as Uber Freight will be crucial for connecting shippers with available and reliable drivers to move their goods and support further economic growth,” shared the company in an official statement.
The company has also announced that it has expanded its operations into Canada to move domestic and cross-border truckloads.
Hyundai Reveals HDC-6 Neptune, a Concept of Hydrogen-Powered Class 8 Heavy-Duty Truck
Hyundai Motor Company revealed two new concepts at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. The company introduced the HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept Class 8 heavy-duty truck, while Hyundai Translead (HT), a leading trailer manufacturer, announced the launch of its new, clean energy refrigerated concept trailer, the HT Nitro ThermoTech.
“Today at this show, by showing HDC-6 Neptune, the first hydrogen-only concept for Hyundai Motor Company’s commercial vehicles, we will start exploring opportunities in the United States commercial vehicle market. Furthermore, we are willing to work with other partners to pave the way to establish a hydrogen ecosystem for CV,” – stated Edward Lee, Head of Hyundai Commercial Vehicle Business Division.
UPS Plans to Add More Than 6,000 Vehicles to Its Natural Gas Fleet
UPS presented its plans to purchase more than 6,000 natural gas-powered trucks until 2022 with a $450M investment in expanding the company’s alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle fleet as well as supporting infrastructure. The new vehicles will be equipped with compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems provided under an exclusive agreement with Agility Fuel Solutions, It will help reduce UPS’s carbon footprint and is expected to have a positive influence on national CNG market growth. The CNG fleet expansion also provides additional capacity for expanding the use of renewable natural gas (RNG).
“UPS continues to expand and improve our smart logistics network by implementing new technologies and creating a highly flexible, data-driven, and sustainable network. That is why we intend for 25 percent of our vehicles purchased in 2020 to run on alternative fuels,” said Juan Perez, chief information and engineering officer, UPS.
Related Announcements:
“The Roads Less Traveled: NEXT Trucking’s Path To A Lucrative Niche—And A $500 Million Valuation” – Forbes
“Amazon is Now Rolling out Branded Tractors in Its Latest Move to Become a Full-Fledged Trucking Company” – Business Insider
“Convoy touts 45% reduction in empty-mile emissions as its Automated Reloads program grows” – FreightWaves
Container Shipping
Traxens Partners with Port of Rotterdam to Better Understand the Challenges Facing the Maritime Industry
Traxens, one of the best IoT logistics startups helping to implement visibility and transparency in the sea, road, and rail cargo operations, has joined Port of Rotterdam’s groundbreaking Container 42 initiative. Over the course of two years, Container 42 will be shipped to ports around the world and share information it has gathered on this data-collecting mission.
Traxens will provide an important part of the entire embedded technology – it will measure changes in everything from vibration, acceleration, position, and sound to local air pollution, temperature, and humidity. The Smart Container has also been fitted with solar panels and the journey will help determine how much power the container generates and uses for data gathering.
“Traxens is the future of digitalization in the supply chain industry. Our smart technology will gather, generate and aggregate data from Container 42 in this worldwide data finding mission. The Port of Rotterdam is one of the leading ports in the world. We are looking forward to working with them to digitally transform multimodal supply chains and improve logistical efficiency,” added Jacques Delort, Managing Director at Traxens.
Earlier in October Traxens has led the development of the first standards for smart container data exchange published by the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business to facilitate the use of smart container data.
Flexport Acquires Online Container Tracking Solution Crux Systems to Further Enhance Shipment Visibility
Flexport, one of the biggest players on the digital freight forwarding market that has secured $1 Billion investment earlier this year, has announced the acquisition of Crux Systems, the most advanced technology solution for tracking ocean containers. The acquisition will further accelerate the automation of Flexport’s shipment tracking capabilities, upgrading the accuracy and timeliness of the track-and-trace data that powers our freight forwarding services.
“We’ve experienced first-hand how Crux Systems’ data solutions can drive more efficient supply chains. Integrating Crux Systems technology and expertise natively into the Flexport platform will take us one step closer to a world where the service levels of freight forwarders are measured by on-time performance,” – shared Ryan Petersen, Founder, and CEO of Flexport, describing the acquisition.
Related Announcements:
“CMA CGM Launches SHIPFIN Trade Finance, Its New Range of Import and Export Financing Solutions”
“Singapore Tuas Port to be World’s Largest Fully Automated Terminal When Completed in 2040” – The Straits Times
“Japan’s ‘K’ LINE, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, and NYK Line Begin Sharing Operational Data” – Smart Maritime Network
Robots and Drones
FedEx Will Test Its Delivery Robot Roxo in Dubai
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and FedEx Express, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) providing for the autonomous delivery robot Roxo to have its international debut in Dubai. As an autonomous personal delivery device, Roxo is pedestrian-safe and has advanced technology including LiDAR and multiple cameras, allowing the zero-emission, battery-powered bot to be aware of its surroundings.
“We are excited for Dubai to be the first international city to host an appearance by Roxo. Dubai is recognized internationally as a future-forward city, and has great ambitions for driving AI technologies in delivering mobility services,” said James R. Muhs, Regional President for FedEx Express in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
UPS Becomes America’s First Nationwide Drone Airline
UPS has received the U.S. government’s first-ever standard certification to operate a drone airline. The company will initially expand its drone delivery service further to support hospital campuses around the country and to provide solutions for customers beyond those in the healthcare industry. UPS Flight Forward plans in the future to transport a variety of items for customers in many industries, and regularly fly drones beyond the operators’ visual line of sight. Earlier this year, UPS partnered with drone-maker Matternet to launch its healthcare delivery service on one of the US medical campuses.
“This is history in the making, and we aren’t done yet. Our technology is opening doors for UPS and solving problems in unique ways for our customers. We will soon announce other steps to build out our infrastructure, expand services for healthcare customers and put drones to new uses in the future,” – stated David Abney, UPS chief executive officer.
Related Announcements:
“FedEx Tests Alphabet’s Wing for Drone Delivery Trials” – Transport Intelligence
Other Logistics Technology News
Deutsche Post DHL Group Accelerates Growth in Core Businesses and Invests €2 Billion in Digital Transformation
Deutsche Post DHL Group unveiled its new Group Strategy – “Strategy 2025 – Delivering excellence in a digital world”. According to the logistics giant, the company will be focusing even more consistently on harnessing the sustained potential for profitable long-term growth. Furthermore, it will be stepping up the digital transformation of the Group that is already underway in all business divisions. Until 2025, the Group will be spending around EUR 2 billion on digitalization.
“Deutsche Post DHL Group has never been in better shape. We are convinced that future growth will come from a consistent focus on our profitable core logistics businesses – and digitalization will become the greatest lever,” said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group.
