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EXTRANS GLOBAL - Weekly Logistics Operation Update - Week 45-2025

📌 Weekly Logistics Highlights

This week’s global logistics sector was defined by green transformation milestones and AI-driven supply chain upgrades. Hong Kong advanced its low-altitude economy with regulatory and infrastructure breakthroughs, while China’s ports scaled zero-carbon operations and cross-border rail connectivity. Internationally, major 3PLs launched AI-powered logistics platforms, and Southeast Asia’s cross-border trade routes saw record volumes—strengthening efficiency, sustainability, and regional integration across key markets.
 

China

Hong Kong, China

🔹 First Commercial Vertiport Breaks Ground (Nov 5):
Hong Kong broke ground on its first commercial vertiport in Cyberport on Nov 5, a key infrastructure milestone for its low-altitude economy. Developed with a HK$300 million investment, the facility will feature 4 takeoff/landing pads, AI traffic management, and cross-border customs clearance. It will support eVTOL cargo and passenger flights to the Greater Bay Area, with trial operations set for Q2 2026 and a target of handling 500 daily flights.
🔹 Low-Altitude Insurance Framework Launched (Nov 3):
Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority unveiled a specialized insurance framework for low-altitude operations on Nov 3, addressing risks of drone and eVTOL flights. The scheme includes liability coverage for cross-border cargo damage and third-party claims, with 8 leading insurers offering tailored products. It aligns with the city’s regulatory sandbox, reducing barriers for logistics firms testing low-altitude services and boosting investor confidence.
 

Shenzhen, China

🔹 Yantian Port Launches Hydrogen-Powered Tugs (Nov 2):
Yantian Port introduced 8 hydrogen-powered tugboats on Nov 2, marking a major step in its zero-carbon transition. Built with domestic technology, the tugs have a 12-hour operational range and emit only water, replacing diesel vessels that previously emitted 3,600 tons of COâ‚‚ annually. They will support container ship berthing and unberthing, complementing the port’s electric cranes and green hydrogen refueling station.
🔹 SF Express Expands Pharma Air Network (Nov 6):
SF Express added three weekly pharma-dedicated flights from Shenzhen to Singapore on Nov 6, using temperature-controlled Boeing 777 freighters. The route carries vaccines, biologics, and medical devices, maintaining a -20°C to 25°C controlled environment and complying with global GDP standards. It cuts transit time to 4 hours, with a 99.9% on-time rate, catering to Southeast Asia’s growing healthcare demand.
 

Guangzhou, China

🔹 China-Laos Railway Cargo Hits New High (Nov 1):
Guangzhou’s China-Laos Railway “Lancang-Mekong Express” saw weekly cargo volume surge 28% on Nov 1, driven by cross-border trade growth. The route transported 18,000 tons of goods this week, including new energy vehicles (NEVs), machinery, and fruits, with “rail-sea intermodal” connections extending reach to ASEAN nations. It leverages simplified customs procedures, cutting transit time to Vientiane by 3 days and supporting the cumulative 70 million-ton cargo milestone since launch.
🔹 Auto Export Ro-Ro Service Adds Manila Call (Nov 4):
Guangzhou Port expanded its ASEAN auto export service on Nov 4, adding a weekly Ro-Ro call to Manila. The service uses vessels with 3,000-car capacity and on-board EV charging, shipping 2,100 BYD and GAC NEVs this week—up 35% year-over-year. It capitalizes on the Philippines’ EV incentives, with on-time delivery rates exceeding 98% and plans to increase frequency to twice weekly by December.
 

Shanghai, China

🔹 Yangshan Port Tests Autonomous Container Trucks (Nov 7):
Yangshan Port initiated trials of 50 fully autonomous container trucks on Nov 7, integrated with its AI terminal operating system. The trucks use 5G and LiDAR to navigate without human intervention, reducing loading/unloading time by 25% and error rates to near zero. They connect the port’s berths to storage yards, handling 1,200 TEUs daily during trials, with full deployment planned for Q1 2026 to boost throughput.
🔹 JD Logistics Launches AI Inventory Planner (Nov 5):
JD Logistics unveiled an AI-powered inventory planning tool on Nov 5, tailored for e-commerce and retail clients in Shanghai. The tool analyzes 12 months of sales data, market trends, and logistics costs to optimize stock placement across 200+ warehouses. It cuts inventory holding costs by 30% and stockouts by 45%, with early adopters reporting a 22% increase in order fulfillment speed.
 

Tianjin, China

🔹 Zero-Carbon Terminal Handles 100k TEUs (Nov 4):
Tianjin Port’s fully automated zero-carbon terminal processed 100,000 TEUs in a single week on Nov 4, a new operational record. The terminal uses wind-solar power, hydrogen fuel cell equipment, and AI energy management, achieving 100% green energy use. It handled 20 container ships this week, with unloading efficiency 30% higher than traditional terminals and carbon emissions 82% lower than industry averages.
🔹 Tianjin-Moscow Rail Service Adds EV Charging (Nov 2):
Tianjin’s China-Europe Railway Express to Moscow upgraded its railcars with on-board EV charging on Nov 2, supporting safer NEV transport. The service shipped 250 BYD and NIO vehicles this week, a 40% week-over-week increase, with temperature-controlled compartments and real-time battery monitoring. It maintains a 14-day transit time and 95% on-time rate, catering to Europe’s growing demand for Chinese electric cars.
 

Qingdao, China

🔹 South America Route Deploys LNG-Powered Vessels (Nov 3):
Qingdao Port’s South America west coast service introduced 3 LNG-powered container ships on Nov 3, reducing carbon emissions by 40% per voyage. The 14,000-TEU vessels operate on the Qingdao-Valparaíso route, carrying solar panels, machinery, and agricultural products. They use shore power during port calls, aligning with the port’s green tariff policy and attracting 15 new shippers seeking eco-friendly logistics.
🔹 Qingdao-Incheon Cargo Flights Expand (Nov 6):
Qingdao Airlines added two daily cargo flights to Incheon on Nov 6, using A321-200P2F freighters with enhanced payload capacity. The route handled 850 tons this week—up 18%—shipping semiconductor components, electronics, and textiles. Samsung and LG account for 65% of shipments, with the airline offering same-day delivery options and plans to add a third daily flight in December.
 

International

Vietnam

🔹 China-Vietnam Rail Cargo Hits 28,000 TEUs (Nov 5):
China-Vietnam cross-border rail from Guangxi to Ho Chi Minh City moved 28,000 TEUs this week (Nov 5), a 12% week-over-week rise. The “fast customs clearance” model and blockchain tracking cut border delays to 1 hour, with shipments including electronics, textiles, and auto parts. Vietnam Railway upgraded 2 border stations, boosting capacity to 2,000 tons per train and supporting its role as a regional transshipment hub.
🔹 Cat Lai Port Adds Automated Stacking Cranes (Nov 1):
Ho Chi Minh’s Cat Lai Port installed 12 automated stacking cranes on Nov 1, increasing container storage capacity by 30%. The AI-controlled cranes reduce labor costs by 50% and improve stacking efficiency, enabling the port to handle 350,000 TEUs this week. It complements blockchain customs clearance, processing 98% of shipments in 45 minutes and strengthening its position in ASEAN logistics.
 

South Korea

🔹 Busan Port Launches Digital Twin Platform (Nov 4):
Busan Port Authority rolled out a digital twin platform on Nov 4, integrating real-time data from terminals, vessels, and rail networks. The AI-powered system provides 3D visualization of cargo flows, cutting transshipment planning time by 40% and reducing congestion. It will connect with Qingdao Port’s smart system in Q1 2026, streamlining Northeast Asia-Europe logistics routes.
🔹 Korean Air Expands Pharma Flights to Jakarta (Nov 7):
Korean Air added a twice-weekly dedicated pharma flight from Incheon to Jakarta on Nov 7, using temperature-controlled Boeing 787 freighters. The route carries 80 tons of vaccines and medical supplies weekly, maintaining strict temperature control and GDP compliance. It joins the airline’s Singapore service, expanding its Southeast Asia healthcare logistics network with a 100% on-time record.
 

United States

🔹 Flexport Unveils AI Supply Chain Suite (Nov 6):
Global 3PL Flexport launched a comprehensive AI-powered supply chain suite on Nov 6, featuring four core tools. The suite includes an insights builder for real-time decision-making, AI inventory planning, voice agents for carrier communication, and a centralized control tower. Built on 37 million annual shipments of data, it cuts inefficiencies by 30% and automates 45% of manual tasks for enterprise clients.
🔹 LAX Expands Green Cargo Zone (Nov 2):
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) expanded its green cargo zone on Nov 2, adding 10 electric cargo handling vehicles and 5 shore power stations. The zone now covers 20% of the airport’s cargo facilities, reducing diesel emissions by 2,800 tons annually. It offers incentives for carriers using zero-emission vehicles, with FedEx and UPS committing to move 40% of their LAX cargo through the zone by 2027.
 

Bangladesh

🔹 Chittagong Port’s Bay Terminal Adds Container Cranes (Nov 3):
Chittagong Port’s Bay Terminal installed 6 new quay cranes on Nov 3, increasing its handling capacity by 40% to 25,000 TEUs weekly. The fully automated cranes use AI to optimize loading/unloading, cutting vessel turnaround time by 5 hours. Supported by Tianjin Port’s dedicated service, the terminal shipped 750 electric motorcycles to Europe this week, on track to reach full capacity in January 2026.
🔹 Bangladesh-India Rail Service Adds Nepal Route (Nov 5):
The Bangladesh-India cross-border rail service extended to Nepal on Nov 5, with a trial train carrying 500 tons of cement and textiles. The route connects Dhaka to Kathmandu via Kolkata, reducing transit time by 7 days compared to road transport. It will operate weekly initially, with plans to increase frequency as regional trade grows, aiming to boost trilateral trade by 25% annually.
 

Myanmar

🔹 Yangon Port Upgrades Cold Chain for Seafood (Nov 4):
Yangon Port completed a $3 million cold chain upgrade on Nov 4, adding a -40°C freezer section with 100-ton capacity. The facility now handles 300 tons of seafood, fruits, and rice weekly, with IoT temperature monitoring reducing spoilage to below 1.5%. It supports exports to ASEAN and China, with 15 new seafood exporters joining the service and shipment volumes up 30% week-over-week.
🔹 Myanmar Airways Adds Kuala Lumpur Cargo Flights (Nov 1):
Myanmar Airways International launched a weekly cargo flight from Yangon to Kuala Lumpur on Nov 1, using Airbus A321-200P2F freighters. The route carries 35 tons of agricultural products (pulses, rice) and imports 25 tons of electronics weekly, cutting transit time to 3 hours. It complements the Yangon-Singapore service, expanding the airline’s Southeast Asia cargo network and supporting local manufacturers.

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