Cargo-partner the latest forwarder to expand airfreight charter operation

Freight forwarder cargo-partner has taken the decision to extend its air cargo charter programme because ongoing capacity concerns.
The company said that to help maintain customers’ supply chains, cargo-partner has been offering multiple weekly air charters from China and Hong Kong to Europe since March 2020.

In reaction to the growing demand from various customers, the logistics provider has now extended its scheduled weekly charter services until the end of the year. 

“The airfreight peak season is in full swing and industrial production is picking up again, especially in the automotive, high tech and retail industries,” it said.

The company said it transports cargo from all of Mainland China via the key gateways Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Guangzhou as well as distribution to any destination in Europe.

Stefan Krauter, chief executive of cargo-partner, anticipates that the demand for charter services will remain high: “Since the beginning of the year, we have received numerous requests for full- and part-charter transports of urgently needed goods, the majority of which came from the pharmaceutical, healthcare and PPE sectors.

“In recent months, we have also noticed a growing demand from the high tech and automotive industries. In view of the expected peaks in the coming months, we advise our customers to start planning early to secure their supply chains.”

Typical cargo shipped on board of these full and part charter flights consisted not only of the expected large shipments and the seasonally contracted repetitive shipments.

“There has been an unexpectedly high amount of very time-critical shipments this year, especially during peak months. We were able to ensure immediate availability and the fastest reaction times for such emergency shipments,” explained Stefan Krauter.

Other forwarders have also been expanding their air cargo charter operations over the last few months as it appears much of the bellyhold capacity that makes up around 50% of overall cargo space will remain grounded.