Our global freight forwarding network keeps our customers freight moving across the world.

Dutch e-Smart Avia plans electric European cargo airline

Netherlands-based e-Smart Avia plans to launch an all-electric cargo airline in the third quarter of 2027 that will operate within Europe. ClearSky Airlines is expected to operate an initial fleet of five 100% electric BETA Technologies ALIA CTOL CX300 aircraft to further the e-Smart Group's decarbonisation ambitions. In November last year, the e-Smart Group placed the order for the aircraft, which can each carry shipments up to 500 kgs over distances of up to 500 km on a direct flight. Additionally, they will produce zero direct CO₂ and NOx emissions and minimum noise, which may allow for night-time operations across Europe, said e-Smart Avia. From its planned main operational base at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, complemented by additional European operating locations across the network, ClearSky Airlines will initially operate scheduled services for strategic logistics partners alongside premium charter flights for customers in the life sciences, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, high-value goods and other time-critical verticals throughout Europe. Strategic partnership with several long-haul air carriers to develop regular air feeder services is also under serious consideration, said e-Smart Avia. Following the recent announcement of a partnership with aerospace leasing specialist SLI, which will provide asset financing for the initial fleet of ClearSky Airlines, e-Smart Avia will now focus on the operational and regulatory foundations required to launch a new airline. This includes progressing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application with the objective of obtaining certification during 2027, securing commercial commitments from launch customers, and building up the ClearSky Airlines management team. "The launch of ClearSky Airlines is the pivotal moment not just to introduce electric aviation to the commercial market, but also to launch new air products like 'air-feeder services', which are too harmful for the environment and too expensive for the customers, if operated with conventionally powered airplanes," said Stan Wraight, a co-founder of e-Smart Group. "ClearSky Airlines is the first step in the ambitious plans of the Group to make electric aviation a commercial reality," added Jacques Heeremans, a co-founder of e-Smart Group and e-Smart Avia. "Based on the strategic partnership with SLI, e-Smart Avia is aiming to quickly grow its fleet and operations across mainland Europe using its Dutch-registered ClearSky Airlines, and expand beyond to other regions including the UK, Middle East and North-East Asia."

Maersk Air Cargo joins BARIG as it tackles costs and bureaucracy

The international airline association BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany) has announced Maersk Air Cargo as a new member as it further expands its focus on airfreight. BARIG aims to address issues including high costs and complex processes facing air cargo operators in Germany. "The already significant role of airfreight in global trade has grown even further in recent months, and for many industrial companies in Germany, air cargo is a vital component of their supply chains," explained Michael Hoppe, BARIG chairman and executive director. "Currently, airfreight in Germany not only suffers from excessively high location costs, but is also confronted with additional obstacles in the form of unnecessarily complex processes and a high degree of bureaucracy. "We are committed to improving the framework conditions and are delighted that Maersk Air Cargo is supporting our work as a new BARIG member now." With a fleet of 19 freighters, Maersk Air Cargo serves numerous destinations within Europe, as well as in Asia and North America. The carrier's main hub is at Billund Airport in Denmark, while Cologne/Bonn Airport serves as its primary hub in Germany. "Our operational processes are designed to ensure stability, predictability, and seamlessly integrated logistics solutions for our customers," said Lars Jordahn, chief executive of Maersk Air Cargo. "In this way, we make a crucial contribution to managing time-sensitive and complex supply chains, while also strengthening secure and resilient air freight corridors. "BARIG provides us with a great platform for professional exchange within the community. This enables us to contribute to the further development of the air freight industry, to positively shape its framework conditions, and to strengthen its position to meet future challenges."

Trump's 50% Canada tariff spares key supply chains, but risk legal challenge

President Donald Trump has escalated his trade dispute with Canada with additional 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian products, a move likely to be felt most sharply across the US-Canada road freight network. The measures will not take effect until 12.01am eastern time on 19 August, leaving a 30-day window for negotiations and possible changes. Section 338 of the Tariff Act also allows the president to suspend, revoke, supplement, or amend the proclamations if he considers it "to be in the public interest". The use of Section 338 is likely to attract close legal scrutiny. The nearly century-old provision expressly permits tariffs of up to 50% where the president finds that another country discriminates against US commerce, but the US has not previously used it to impose tariffs. Congressional researchers have noted that the law does not appear to require a prior agency investigation, although its first use may test the extent of presidential discretion under the statute. Another notable feature is what the tariffs leave untouched. Products already subject to specified Section 232 duties are excluded, covering categories of passenger vehicles, light trucks, vehicle parts and steel, aluminium, and copper products. Semiconductor articles and patented pharmaceutical products are also exempt, while qualifying civil aircraft, engines and components are excluded under separate provisions. Unmanned aircraft are not covered by the civil-aircraft exemption. The exclusions reduce the risk of immediately compounding tariffs on some of North America's most closely integrated automotive and aerospace supply chains. Instead, the three proclamations respond to Canadian measures affecting US motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and dairy exports, while imposing tariffs on three separate lists of Canadian goods. The White House said the covered products ranged from wine to hockey sticks and cement, and would be subject to the additional duty even where they qualified as originating goods under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Energy, potash, fish, critical minerals, and certain other products are excluded. The first list includes alcoholic drinks, alongside selected wood, paper ,and sporting goods. A second list includes milk powders, whey products, lactose, syrups, casein, and other dairy-related or food ingredients. The third is much broader, covering agricultural items, plants, food preparations, chemicals, cement, machinery, electrical equipment, consumer products, and numerous other manufactured goods.