WFS handed new contract by DSV for handling at Liege

Logistics services giant DSV has handed Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) a long-term European Gateway cargo handling contract for Liege Airport in Belgium.

This latest agreement adds to a growing partnership between WFS, which was acquired by the SATS Group in April this year, and DSV.

WFS, the world’s largest cargo handler, also provides air logistics services for DSV in Amsterdam and at Huntsville International Airport in Alabama in the US.

“Further network collaboration is under review”, WFS opined positively.

WFS is resourcing and operating DSV’s hub facility in Liege, providing warehouse handling of cargo carried onboard the all-cargo charters and commercial freighter services that are operated by various airline partners of DSV.

The DSV Liege Gateway consolidates and deconsolidates cargo for all European DSV businesses moving cargo along the company’s most frequently used trade lanes, including to/from Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Dubai and New York JFK.

WFS operates 25,000 sq m of warehouse space, split over two facilities, and handles approximately 200,000 tonnes of cargo a year at Liege.

WFS has direct airside access and also operates ramp services at Liege.

Further development
As well as handling general cargo, the hub will be developed for special cargo types, including pharmaceuticals and perishables, which WFS is already equipped to support.

According to WFS, the Liege operation will complement the successful DSV Gateway hub in Luxembourg and will see WFS take responsibility for handling import and export not only booked by DSV through Liege but also on flights connecting through other surrounding airports.

“This collaboration supports DSV’s commitment to providing seamless, efficient and sustainable logistics solutions, and it showcases our ability to foster strong relationships within the industry,” enthused Mo Siraj, VP airfreight EU and managing director DSV Air & Sea LUX.

“With our own skilled warehousing staff working closely with our ground handling partner, we will optimise the speed of handling, ensuring faster turnaround times and minimal delays for our customers.

“Together, DSV and WFS are committed to enhancing the customer experience through excellent service and by driving innovation within the airfreight and ground handling sectors.

“We believe this partnership will pave the way for a more connected future in global logistics,” Siraj opined.

Bert Selis, the Belgium-based VP business development, e-commerce, express & freight forwarders EMEAA for WFS, added: “This long-term contract is a result of our successful partnership in Amsterdam and Huntsville, where DSV has teamed up with WFS for all-cargo handling.

“We are proud to have proven our credentials to meet DSV’s high service and operational standards.”

He continued: “This relationship is strategically very important to WFS because it showcases the services and value we bring right to the centre of the air logistics supply chain.

“By partnering with WFS in Liege, DSV is benefitting from cost and time efficiencies at one of Europe’s biggest full freighter airports.”

As well as DSV, WFS’s clients at Liege Airport also include airlines and logistics companies including Air China Cargo, Air Canada, China Eastern Airlines, Silk Way West, Cainiao, Rich Sale Logistics, TOLEAD and Hongyuan.

Globally, WFS has more than 30,000 employees serving over 300 customers at 158 major airports in 18 countries across five continents.

Singapore-based aviation services company SATS completed the acquisition of WFS for €1.3bn.

SATS had struck a deal last September to buy WFS from an affiliate of asset investor Cerberus Capital Management.

WFS is now a fully owned subsidiary of SATS. The ground handling specialist will continue to be headquartered in Paris and operate as Worldwide Flight Services.