MANAMA: DHL Bahrain scooped up three top awards at the company's annual Middle East commercial managers' meeting held in Lebanon. The awards were for "Best Quality Provider in the Middle East", "Most Improved Country in the Middle East" and "Best World Parcel Express Growth in the Emerging Markets." DHL Middle East Area director Phil Couchman presented the three awards to DHL country manager for Bahrain Nour Suliman. 

AMMAN: Aramex International has partnered with Tech Data FZ-LLC to serve as its exclusive distributor in Jordan. The strategic alliance will allow Aramex to manage the IT provider's logistics, warehousing and distribution cycles in Jordan at its logistics facility in Amman. "We are very proud of our new affiliation with Tech Data in Jordan - it is a testament to the success of the relationship we share in Bahrain," said Iyad Kamal, vice-president logistics and ground services, Aramex International.

AMMAN: Aramex International has partnered with Tech Data FZ-LLC to serve as its exclusive distributor in Jordan. The strategic alliance will allow Aramex to manage the IT provider's logistics, warehousing and distribution cycles in Jordan at its logistics facility in Amman. "We are very proud of our new affiliation with Tech Data in Jordan - it is a testament to the success of the relationship we share in Bahrain," said Iyad Kamal, vice-president logistics and ground services, Aramex International.

Recently DHL, one of the Emirates’ leading air express provider, an important link in the Supply Chain management, held an exclusive seminar on Iraq for its UAE clients.

‘Since sanctions against Iraq lifted and DHL’s operations began there earlier this year, there have been a growing number of questions posed from UAE business people who want to know more,’ said David Wild, General Manager, DHL UAE.

As a direct result of these queries and with extensive first - hand experience in Iraq, DHL wanted to share the latest information on the opportunities in the country and how DHL can help realize client’s business aspirations there.

Since May this year, DHL has reported many account holders from the UAE actively shipping into Iraq. The company says as further opportunities within the country unfold, it will scale its operations to meet future customer demands efficiently.

Wild commented that it is clear there is some way to go in rebuilding the country, but the future growth, prosperity and opportunity for business in Iraq is evident. Iraq remains a country with proven wealth and the      potential to be a prosperous, sustainable and key Middle East economy.

The main emphasis of the keynote speeches centred on the fact that although the physical infrastructure  constitutes a major barrier to normal business activity, the work needed             is in itself a major investment           opportunity. 

Overall, the seminar was highly informative and left attendees with knowledge of where key opportunities currently exist for Middle East companies, where future opportunities may arise and how DHL can act as a trade facilitator with their significant presence in the country and regional support.

LONDON: Global freight costs for key raw materials, smashing records on a weekly basis, are set to power even higher as charterers grapple with fresh surges in demand and a worldwide shortage of vessels. China’s voracious demand for raw material, particularly for iron ore and latterly coal as the world’s most populous country wrestles with power shortages, has fuelled the demand for Capesize ships, vessels in excess of 80,000 deadweight tonnes in size. According to UN figures, close to 95 per cent of the world’s trade is transported by sea.

RIYADH: DHL has extended its annual DHL Jumbo Box promotion up to the end of the year, said Paul Chader, national marketing manager - DHL Saudi Arabia. Customers taking advantage of this special seasonal offer can send up to 10 kilogrammes to any part of Saudi Arabia for only SR99, including an overnight delivery service, as well as save up to 30 per cent on international destinations parcels paid cash.

DUBAI: Having been given the green light by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, 55 airlines operating through the UAE will raise freight charges from January 1 to reflect fuel and security surcharges. The fuel surcharge alone will make air cargo from the UAE to the Indian subcontinent and GCC countries around five to six per cent more expensive. The costs to other destinations could rise by as much as ten per cent per kilogramme. All airlines plan to raise their fuel surcharge at virtually the same time.

MANAMA: DHL Worldwide Express is carrying out a major re-evaluation of its Middle East aircraft fleet as the world's leading air express supplier looks to enhance its market-leading regional status. "The review will dovetail with our future needs and plans, which includes a $10 million infrastructure investment phase currently under way," said David Wild, general manager, DHL UAE. Future plans for the region include new air destinations, improved and new build facilities at regional.

The Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) is studying a project to expand cargo facilities at Seeb International and Salalah airports. A decision on the proposal will be taken within six months, OAMC chief executive officer Colin E Hobbs was quoted as saying by Oman Daily Observer. Hobbs said as more wide-bodied aircraft with large belly holding capacity fly to Muscat, there would be an increase in cargo movement.

BONN: DHL, the international express courier, has resumed flights to Iraq and Afghanistan, just over a week after one of its planes was hit by a surface-to-air missile in Iraq, a spokesman for its parent company Deutsche Post said. Services to Iraq had been suspended on November 22 after one of DHL's planes was hit by a surface-to-air missile as it left Baghdad airport and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. will wait till after the Christmas holiday to raise its rates. The company has announced rate changes for both FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services, effective from Jan.5, 2004. FedEx Ground rates will increase an average of 1.9%.

MANAMA: A staff shake-up at TNT International Express has seen Nasser Hassan take over as business development manager. Badria Salman has been appointed to the post of field sales executive. It is part of a new sales structure announced by TNT Bahrain general manager David Scott. Hassan is said to have over 20 years experience in the air and road freight markets. Miss Salman was promoted to her new position from an internal sales role. "These appointments show TNT's absolute commitment to employ and promote quality local staff as the TNT business expands rapidly in Bahrain," said Scott.

DUBAI: Aramex International has introduced a new tracking feature providing customers of its US mailbox service with timely shipment tracking information and enhancing customer service. The online tracking system, accessed by logging on to www.aramex.com, allows customers using Aramex's “Shop & Ship” US mailbox service to locate their packages at any point on their route - from mailbox to doorstep. This feature complements the effective shipping solution designed for online shopping launched earlier this year

DUBAI UAE – November 2003 – GAC Group (GAC), the world’s largest independent shipping and logistics services provider, has appointed two new logistics managers in Dubai, as part of its ongoing expansion plan.  

The appointments of Paul Lattouf as Business Manager, Freight Services and Andrew Goode as Transportation Operations Manager form an important part of the company’s overall strategy to streamline operations and enhance its business offerings to customers, said Dag Bore, General Manager, Logistics Division, GAC Dubai.

Paul Lattouf – Business Manager, Freight Services  

An industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry, of which more than ten were in the Middle East, Paul brings a significant cache of knowledge and expertise to GAC’s already strong Freight Services department. Having worked with a multinational freight forwarding firm for almost two decades, Paul is well equipped to take on his new position spearheading and overseeing GAC’s freight business in Dubai, which include air freight, ocean freight, container freight services and international moving.  

Andrew Goode – Transportation Operations Manager  

Andrew joins GAC with significant regional experience from an international major courier and logistics company. A member in good standing of the Dubai Supply Chain Logistics Group, Andrew’s new responsibilities include managing the entire fleet operations of GAC Dubai’s Logistics Division, as well as all international road services from GAC’s hub in Jebel Ali.  

These new appointments underscore GAC’s strategy in investing in high calibre human resources to further boost the company’s level of performance and customer satisfaction.  

“Whilst infrastructure and technology are key factors in successful business operations, it is the people who are our most valuable resource,” says Mr Bore, “Both Paul and Andrew are highly-skilled industry experts in their respective fields and I am confident that their wealth of experience in logistics operations and regional business development will be an invaluable asset to GAC’s continued growth and prosperity.”

DUBAI: Aramex International has introduced a new tracking feature providing customers of its US mailbox service with timely shipment tracking information and enhancing customer service. The online tracking system, accessed by logging on to www.aramex.com, allows customers using Aramex's “Shop & Ship” US mailbox service to locate their packages at any point on their route - from mailbox to doorstep. This feature complements the effective shipping solution designed for online shopping launched earlier this year

RIYADH: Express and logistics company DHL has appointed Paul Chader as its National Marketing Manager for Saudi Arabia. Originally from Lebanon, Chader is a communications expert who has been involved in marketing, advertising and public relations in the Gulf region for more than 12 years. Now based at DHL's Dhahran headquarters, his role is to drive the brand's ambitious marketing activities in the Kingdom. DHL offers customers express, air and ocean freight and overland transport.

MANAMA: DHL is to carry out a multi-million dinar investment in the region and expand its hub in Bahrain for its new operations to Iraq and Afghanistan, it has been revealed. The air fleet has been doubled from seven to 14 in one year, said Middle East area director Philip Couchman. The DHL road fleet has also undergone huge expansion - from seven trailers last year to 22 this year, and will double to 44 next year, he said. "Our Gulf wide distribution road service has grown in the first nine months of this year by 26 per cent in shipments and by 20pc in revenue," said Mr Couchman.

DUBAI: Aramex International, a provider of transportation solutions in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, has announced half-yearly revenues of $80.1 million for the six months ending June 30, 2003, reflecting a growth of approximately 27 per cent over the same period last year. In addition, Aramex's half yearly net income rose to $4.5 million, an 83 per cent increase compared to 2002's first half yearly figure of $2.4 million. Aramex also disclosed its second-quarter financial results, which revealed a 24 per cent growth in the company's total revenues, now at $42.5 million as compared to $34.3 million for last year's second quarter.

DUBAI: Emirates SkyCargo has launched freight services to Istanbul and Frankfurt, close on the heels of its third service to Shanghai and the upcoming trans-Atlantic operations to New York via Gothenburg, Sweden. Every Wednesday, a Boeing 747-200 freighter will fly from Dubai at noon to arrive at Istanbul at 6.15pm via Amman, then return to Dubai at 1.30am on Thursday.  The new service will supplement the belly-hold capacity of Emirates' regular services to Istanbul five days a week. Also on Wednesdays, a Boeing 747-400 freighter will fly to Frankfurt offering cargo capacity above the belly capacity of the airline's two daily flights.

DOHA: DHL Middle East hosted a regional Quality Management Conference for its key regional staff at the Intercontinental Hotel, Qatar, this week. Over 33 DHL managers and supervisors from all over the Middle East region were flown into Doha to take part in the two-day course, which was conducted by DHL Middle East quality manager Mark Frith and quality support manager Mike Teaney. The DHL representatives conduct this course for DHL's regional staff on an annual basis as part of DHL's ongoing strategy of ensuring the integrity and efficiency of its Quality Management Systems, which cover all 11 countries in the Middle Eastern region, including the GCC states, Yemen, Iran and Syria. This year, the conference was hosted by DHL Qatar.

MANAMA: TNT International Express is moving into a new, purpose-built freight facility at Bahrain International Airport. The aim is to strengthen services to meet customer needs, said the express freight company's new Bahrain general manager David Scott. Scott was previously the state manager, Western Australia, for a TNT business unit. Prior to joining TNT, Scott was also a senior manager in the airline industry, also in Australia. TNT is moving to the new airport facility, under an agreement in conjunction with Global Logistical Services. Scott said this move would enhance the services offered to customers, provide the business with the ability to grow substantially and benefit the local community with employment opportunities.