Malaysia-Singapore drone delivery services to launch this year

Aerodyne Group, a drone-based enterprise solutions provider headquartered in Malaysia, and DroneDash Technologies, a Singapore-based air mobility company, have announced their cross-border drone delivery services between Malaysia and Singapore.

Designed for critical deliveries such as urgent documents, high-value electronics, medical supplies, and perishable foods, the service features a navigation system crafted from satellite communications with dual-city 5G roaming, real-time tracking and advanced security protocols.

The drones used for the service can carry up to 30 kg and achieve speeds of 150 km/h within a four-hour flight span. The initiative will initially focus on establishing delivery routes from Singapore to Johor Bahru and Iskandar Malaysia, with commercial operations starting in Q324.

“Organisations in the logistics, cargo delivery and freight services sector stand to gain a double-digit percentage improvement in overall productivity and cost. Drone deliveries are also beneficial for the environment with emissions and carbon footprint being reduced by up to 100% and 80% respectively,” said Paul Yam, CEO of DroneDash.

Source: Aerodyne Group and DroneDash Technologies. A DroneDash drone in action.

“Drone deliveries are transforming the speed and reach of logistics operations, and they can help reach remote areas where traditional air and sea freight are unable to access. They also add to the creation of a revitalised and vibrant logistic sector through job creation in operating and maintaining the drones.”

“With the formation of the recent Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), we are proud to play a part in strengthening economic connectivity between the two regions,” said Mudzakkir Hatta, CEO of Aerodyne.

“We look forward to venturing beyond the state of Johor with increased shipments to other parts of Malaysia, forging a longstanding trade cooperation with the two partnering nations.”

ACN, MENA Cargo to offer boosted services in GCC

The Asia Cargo Network (ACN) group, a Southeast Asian air cargo charter services provider, has partnered with Bahrain’s MENA Aerospace to facilitate its global expansion. Under the terms of the agreement, ACN will base six of its cargo planes in Bahrain and the GCC to serve the MENA region, as well as destinations served from MENA.

Operations will be conducted under the MENA Cargo brand, the freight cargo subsidiary of MAE. The deployment shall be over the next 18 months, with the first of its six aircraft due to arrive within the next two months, beginning operations immediately thereafter. ACN’s aircraft and MEA’s existing Boeing 737-300 converted freighter will comprise the operational fleet within the region.

The operations will be fully managed by ACN moving forward. It holds an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in Bahrain which allows for the expansion of routes to the MENA region.

ACN has a regional and international presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and with this strategic alliance, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. The company owns three regional airlines, Asia Cargo Airlines, World Cargo Airlines and RGA Airlines.

MENA Cargo was established in 2020 and was awarded an AOC by Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) department in 2021. Bahrain-based MENA Cargo provides scheduled as well as charter air cargo services across underserved markets in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Cainiao to work with Ethiopian Airlines for cold chain air freight

Source: Alibaba Group. Cainiao will send temperature-controlled medicines like COVID-19 vaccines around the world excluding Africa via Dubai with the help of Ethiopian Airlines.

Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arms of Alibaba Group Holdings, is partnering Ethiopian Airlines to launch a special cold chain air freight for the transportation of temperature-controlled medicines from Shenzhen Airport, China's first medical cross-border cold chain facility.

Temperature-controlled medicines will be distributed twice a week from Shenzhen to Africa, and to the rest of the world via Dubai and Addis Ababa. This is China's first cross-border medical cold chain route to be operated regularly and is certified to transport temperature-controlled medicines including COVID-19 vaccines.

The end-to-end transportation process requires highly-effective cold chain management. The cold chain cabin is equipped with a temperature control system that monitors the cabin’s temperature in real-time. As the fourth airport in Mainland China that obtained International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification for pharmaceutical logistics, Shenzhen Airport is also well-equipped to handle biotechnology products. 

The cargo terminal in Ethiopia is outfitted with compartmentalised cold storage facilities with temperature between -23℃ to 25℃. It occupies an area of 54,000 sq m, with dedicated cool dollies and a pharma team, as well as a real-time temperature monitoring system to ensure a safe and seamless cold chain logistics for handling temperature-sensitive healthcare products.

Cool dollies are containers designed to transport temperature-sensitive items between cargo warehouses and aircraft.

“Cainiao’s global logistics network spans over 200 countries and regions, providing end-to-end integrated logistics services, including digital customs clearance capabilities,” said James Zhao, GM, Cainiao International Supply Chain.

“The launch of the cold chain air freight has further bolstered our global logistics capabilities, and allow us to offer a one-stop solution for the global distribution of medical products such as the COVID-19 vaccines.”

Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Group CEO said, “Ethiopian Airlines will repeat its remarkable and globally-recognised success in leading the fast delivery of PPEs few months ago with similar delivery speed, professional handling and maintaining the cold chain during the forthcoming global distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. In anticipation of the COVID-19 vaccine release, we will be at the forefront to further discharge our responsibility in the distribution of the vaccine across the globe.” PPE stands for personal protective equipment.

Cainiao’s launch of the Green Channel initiative this year to fight the pandemic has helped in the distribution of 250 million pieces of PPE, including COVID-19 test kits, to medical suppliers in over 150 countries and regions. In collaboration with its partners, Cainiao has also helped to transport medical relief items for international organisations during the pandemic.

Singpost to work with Shippit on last-mile fulfilment

• Shippit has added SingPost’s delivery services on their platform, plus exclusively-negotiated delivery rates
  
  
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage on the partnership to deliver parcels to all addresses in Singapore

SMEs now have more delivery options for e-commerce fulfilment through a partnership between logistics technology company Shippit and Singapore Post (SingPost), Singapore’s homegrown e-commerce courier.

SMEs on the Shippit platform will now be able to offer their customers in Singapore the option of parcel collection at any time by tapping into the island-wide POPStation self-collection network that SingPost currently operates. As part of the deal, Shippit will also offer SingPost’s Speedpost Express Service to SMEs, alongside discounted, pre-negotiated rates for next day and economy delivery services. Such services used to be reserved for larger companies.

The SingPost services are integrated directly into Shippit’s existing online platform, which enables SMEs to access data-driven delivery insights that can be used to optimise shipping costs and share better customer experiences.

Lavneesh Arora, Director of Market Development at Shippit said: “Shippit aims to disrupt the way legacy logistics firms operate. We are always looking for great partnerships to expand our capabilities and give clients a competitive edge. Through the latest partnership with Singapore’s largest and most prominent logistics company, SMEs can use Shippit to get direct access to SingPost’s premium, enterprise-grade delivery services at a fraction of the cost.”

Shippit’s tracking system offers proactive delay avoidance technology and accurate delivery estimates — SMEs can track exactly where the parcel is, ensuring delivery issues are resolved before customers find out. They can also send branded push emails and SMSes to keep their customers informed. On the receiver’s end, one-link tracking and smart notifications are automated, so customers can monitor their shipment, get real-time updates and access delivery support directly from the tracking page.

Sara Kalle, Senior VP of Group Sales at SingPost, said: “Customers can look forward to a hassle-free shipping experience from the moment they confirm their order on Shippit’s award-winning platform, to collecting their shipments from us at their doors or at a nearby POPStation.”

Australia-founded Shippit officially launched its regional headquarters in Singapore in mid-July. The company's clients include Sephora, UNIQLO, CottonOn, and Harvey Norman.

FedEx deliveries can now be self-collected 24x7 in Singapore

Source: FedEx. With the new FedEx Self-Collection Service, Singapore customers can now arrange to collect their FedEx packages at participating bluPort and Parcel Santa lockers, as well as at Park N Parcel retail collection outlets island-wide. 
 

FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of the world's largest express transportation company, has made FedEx packages available for 24x7 self-collection in Singapore.

Parcels can be collected at all participating bluPort and Parcel Santa lockers, and Park N Parcel retail collection points.

Through the FedEx Delivery Manager International (FDMI) platform and robotic process automation (RPA), customers with a valid mobile number or email address can be paired to their nearest Park N Parcel retail collection point or bluPort or Parcel Santa locker, which will be made available prior to package arrival.

For example, FDMI allows a customer who may not be available to receive their package delivery to have the option to select a self-collection location closest to their home or workplace.

"FedEx creates possibilities for businesses including small and medium enterprises who require the added convenience this service provides through the secure self-collection options nationwide," said Audrey Cheong, MD, FedEx Express Singapore.

"As online shopping grows, our customers continue to search for flexible delivery options. These self-collection capabilities underscore our effort to address small businesses’ evolving shipping and last-mile delivery needs."

FedEx Singapore’s self-collection initiative is fuelled by the rapid growth of e-commerce in the country. By 2022, Singapore’s e-commerce market forecast is expected to increase by 48% to US$7 billion*. This will create a strain on the environment, with last-mile delivery and packaging causing the largest environmental impact**.

The new FedEx service will help to tackle these issues by increasing productivity, reducing traffic congestion and carbon footprint generated – especially when performing small parcel delivery, the logistics company said. It also helps to ensure efficient delivery of goods to people and businesses, an objective that is in line with the Singapore government’s Urban Logistics Initiative. 

“Digitalisation plays a pivotal role in the transformation of various industries. We are glad that logistics providers such as FedEx Express are optimising their operations, capitalising on technology to improve operations such as enabling the delivery of parcels to collection points,” said Jane Lim, Assistant Chief Executive, Sector Transformation, IMDA.

Details

Check out the FedEx Self-Collection service at bluPort, Parcel Santa and Park N Parcel.


*WorldPay, Global Payments Report, November 2018: pp 80-81.

**Aaron Cheris, Casey Taylor, Jennifer Hayes, Jenny Davis-Peccound, Retailer’s Challenge: How to Cut Carbon Emissions as E-Commerce Soars, Bain & Company, 2017: pp 1-2

Brunei freight and logistics market was worth US$157.25 million in 2017

The Brunei Freight & Logistics Market Study - Market Trends, Analysis & Forecasts to 2023 report by Mordor Intelligence has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Brunei freight and logistics market was worth US$157.25 million in 2017 with its biggest opportunity in the multi-trillion dollar halal industry. Mordor Intelligence says that the country maintains a pristine image and is looked upon by the Islamic world as a centre of Islamic culture.

The strategic location of Brunei for China and its synergies with the Belt and Road project, open up immense opportunities for the halal certification industry in Brunei. The connections of China with Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries which are being established through the Belt and Road initiative, open up immense opportunities for Brunei. Coupled with oil and gas reserves, Chinese government see a lot of opportunities in Brunei and has been ramping up investments in the country. The Guangxi-Brunei Economic Corridor was set up to tap the halal trade in 2014. A bio-innovation zone is being developed and augmented post this partnership.

The Brunei Halal brand was a first-mover concept, the consultancy added. Kerry Logistics and the government of Brunei partnered to build Brunei Halal internationally, and provide a range of products and services under the brand umbrella. 

According to Mordor, investments in land transport infrastructure and services remain crucial for Brunei’s future economic and social development. At the same time, the country faces various  challenges, such as congestion, journey time delay, and pollution. Additionally, concerns over road safety are increasing.

The market could receive a boost from infrastructure expansion. Two sites, in Kampong Long Mayan and Kampong Binturan have been identified as possibilities for a second international airport. Muara Port plans to extend the container wharf to serve as a second container berth to a total quay length of 400 m.

Customs tax reduction for several items will also impact the industry. The machinery and industrial equipment that utilise electricity will see reduction from 20% to 5% and heavy vehicles will see a reduction from 20% to 5%.

Companies mentioned in the report include:

Archipelago
Ceva
DB Schenker
DHL
Kerry Logistics
Yusen Logistics

Explore:

Buy the Brunei Freight & Logistics Market Study - Market Trends, Analysis & Forecasts to 2023 report (March 2018)

Dubai CommerCity to promote Dubai as an e-commerce hub

Dubai CommerCity, an AED2.7 billion, 2.1-million sq ft joint venture between Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and wasl Asset Management Group, has been launched. This is the first free zone dedicated to e-commerce in the MENA region, intended to promote Dubai’s position as a leading platform for international e-commerce and to support economic diversification and smart transformation strategies.

The project will accelerate the growth of the e-commerce market which is expected to reach US$20 billion in 2020 in the GCC countries. It will provide an environment that stimulates creativity and attracts more direct foreign investments in line with Dubai Plan 2021.

Source: Dubai CommerCity website. Artist's impression of Dubai CommerCity.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, DAFZA Chairman, said that free zones enjoy flexible and adaptable legislations and business systems – a unique feature that empowers economic clusters and accelerates their growth. He added that free zones also play strategic roles locally and regionally in enhancing global trade routes and supply chains. DAFZA, he noted, has all the elements and factors to achieve success, pointing out that for the last two decades its remarkable achievements have earned the confidence of the international business community and its leaders.

Dubai CommerCity is strategically located near the Dubai International Airport, and close to major local and national highways. It offers world-class cargo and logistics services and an integrated infrastructure with easy access to land and seaports, enabling swift and efficient distribution and delivery of services which are essential to competing in the world of e-commerce as well as minimising supply chain costs.

HE Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of DAFZA, said: “Dubai CommerCity will enhance the role of e-commerce as a key driver of Dubai’s sustainable economy. DAFZA will apply its leading experiences and services based on comprehensive studies on the future of e-commerce in the MENA region. Dubai CommerCity complements the expansion plans and achievements led by DAFZA aimed at attracting foreign direct investments to Dubai, driven by its vision, The free zone that goes beyond, in cooperation with wasl Asset Management Group with which we have a successful partnership. Through Dubai CommerCity, we aim to play an organisational, operational and knowledge-based role that will contribute to the building of a new world-class free zone and the creation of a unified platform for government, administrative, customs and logistics services that meet the needs of the e-commerce sector, in response to the vision of the wise leadership of achieving sustainable development.”

HE Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group, commented: “We look forward to partnering with DAFZA to translate the vision of our wise leadership to make Dubai one of the best investment destinations in the world. Our joint venture supports the national economic diversification strategy and the creation of a sustainable economy based on innovation and competitiveness. The new free zone is strategically located near to Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, offering attractive investment opportunities to reputed e-commerce companies that are seeking to establish a presence and expand in the MENA and South Asia regions.”

Dubai CommerCity takes up 427,000 sq m inclusive of office spaces and logistics units covering 207,000 sq m. There will be 4,000 parking slots for its customers. The free zone is divided into three clusters designed in to achieve environmental and investment sustainability.

The Business Cluster includes 13 office buildings with a total leasable area of 108,000 sq m and a total built-up area of 136,000 sq m. It features modern buildings and landscapes within the interior and exterior areas to encourage customers to adopt a healthy and active approach while doing business and to make work routines interesting. The cluster is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified.

The Logistics Cluster consists of 84 logistic units with a total built-up area of 71,000 sq m and a leasable area of 68,000 sq m equipped with the latest technologies to meet the needs of logistics services providers and customers. The main feature of the cluster is its rooftop PVC solar panels for generating clean energy.

The Social Cluster is the heart of Dubai CommerCity, with its art galleries, a range of luxury restaurants and cafés, and facilities for e-commerce companies wishing to establish regional headquarters in Dubai.

The project will be an ideal opportunity for major regional and international manufacturers to store their goods, products and spare parts in state-of-the-art, fully-equipped, technology-enabled warehouses, to be shipped to the local markets in record time.

The new free zone will also drive private investment supporting the region’s startups. Over the next five years, the e-commerce sector is projected to account for 10% of the emirate of Dubai’s retail sales, which are in turn expected to reach AED200 billion by the end of 2017.

Dubai CommerCity is fully committed to supporting the goal of the wise leadership to reduce the UAE carbon footprint by 25% within 2030 in accordance with global standards for a sustainable environment and a green economy. It will reduce electricity consumption by using solar energy; lower water wastage by 40% through the treatment of polluted water and the collection and reuse of storm water. Strategies also include the reduction of pollution and implementation of global environmental standards related to the construction of light industrial units and buildings as well as the use of environmentally-friendly building materials and recycled resources.

The free zone is committed to modernising and updating the regional e-commerce legislative system. It will benefit from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between DAFZA and the Arab Federation for e-Commerce, an organisation under the Arab League’s Council of Arab Economic Unity, stipulating cooperation with Arab governments in developing and harmonising legislation and laws designed to facilitate the practice of e-commerce and drive the growth of the digital economy.

Shopmatic merchants to deliver products more easily through Easyship tieup

Source: Shopmatic. Shopmatic co-founders from left: Kris Chen,
Anurag Avula, and Yen Ti Lim. 

Shopmatic, the Singapore-based e-commerce company, has partnered Easyship, the all-in-one shipping platform for global e-commerce. The collaboration will allow merchants registered with Shopmatic to deliver their products efficiently and scale their online business globally.

Easyship offers integrated shipping services with over 100 vendors including DHL, FedEx, and UPS, and facilitates instant shipping of orders with up to 70% discount. Buyers can choose the best available option for a particular destination based on item specifications like type, weight and dimension. 

For every order, Easyship compares all shipping couriers, and provides visibility to the buyer to check delivery time, shipping cost, and taxes. It also provides taxes and duties for shipments worldwide, based on the type of item and its customs value. All the customs forms for international shipping are printed with the packing label and come with custom invoices and declarations. The international shipping provider helps online retailers to create an account instantly at just the click of a button, thereby enabling its clients to immediately roll out services to their customers.

Anurag Avula, CEO of Shopmatic said, “Shipping and logistics have always been a major pain point for all online retailers. E-commerce merchants face several challenges in terms of cost, tracking, weight, time etc. when it comes to international shipping. With Easyship’s comprehensive services at very economical rates, online merchants with Shopmatic no longer have to worry about the unnecessary complexities of international shipping. We believe that this alliance will give a greater boost to our value proposition and enable our online sellers to enhance their customers’ experience and leverage the larger overseas markets.

Paul Lugagne, CTO and Co-founder of Easyship, said: "Our synergies make a natural fit, as both the firms have a customer-centric approach. We are committed to add value to our clients’ businesses, making sure that the sellers never experience unexpected costs or delays with international shipping. We aim to offer an effortless shipping experience to e-commerce sellers on Shopmatic and help them explore the best possible ways to sell their products in the international space.”

DHL eCommerce opens Fulfillment Center in Sydney

DHL eCommerce, a division of the logistics company, Deutsche Post DHL Group, has launched of a Fulfillment Center in Sydney, Australia to support booming demand for overseas goods amongst Australia’s online shoppers.

“Australian shoppers are the second-most likely in the world to buy online from overseas merchants*, and the significance of their purchasing power will only increase as cross-border e-commerce grows at an average of 29% per year until 2020^,” said Damien Sheehan, MD, Australia, DHL eCommerce.

“Online retailers need to overcome the traditional problems associated with overseas expansion – finding new suppliers in each market, delivering shipments within days not weeks, and keeping costs in check – if they want to stay competitive in this borderless future.

“The launch of our Australian Fulfillment Center gives our customers immediate access to one of the world’s most mature and fastest growing e-commerce markets, with the scalability and quality needed to reach Australia’s highly savvy online shoppers.”

The Fulfillment Center will provide overseas merchants with fast, flexible shipping that integrates inbound freight, inventory, and last mile delivery in a single consolidated service. The centre also operates using the same service level agreements, management platforms, and customer support as all other parts of DHL eCommerce’s global Fulfillment network, allowing existing customers to expand their sales into Australia with minimal onboarding time and hassle.

“E-commerce has gone borderless, and order fulfilment needs to do the same,” says Charles Brewer, CEO, DHL eCommerce. “Our Australian facility adds another node to our standardised global network of Fulfillment Centers located in US, Mexico, India, Hong Kong and Central Europe, eliminating the need for e-commerce merchants to hunt for new logistics partners as they look to expand their global reach.”

The centre accommodates front-end integration with a range of popular marketplace and web-shop platforms, as well as multichannel order management and last-mile solutions for immediate and highly-accurate deliveries all across Australia. All of the center’s services operate on a pay-per-use model with no capital spend or fixed costs.

“The value of Australian e-commerce sales is expected to grow by nearly 50% between now and 2020, making cost-effectiveness and scalability the critical issues for online retailers in the country,” said Malcolm Monteiro, CEO Asia Pacific, DHL eCommerce.

“Whether it’s extending into new channels, offering more delivery options, or simply increasing inventory and warehouse capacity, global brands need fulfilment solutions that can adapt to their needs without requiring hands-on intervention every time a change occurs.

“Global e-tailers can access our latest fulfillment centre for simplified nationwide inventory and last-mile delivery and also as part of a rapid and painless global expansion.”

*http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161011006722/en/Pitney-Bowes-Survey-Finds-Majority-Global-Consumers
^https://www.accenture.com/t20160830T101949w/cn-en/_acnmedia/PDF-29/Accenture-Cross-Border-Ecommerce.pdf  (PDF)

Singapore Workforce Development Agency, SCALA offer logistics reskilling initiative

The Logistics Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) was launched today by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Supply Chain and Logistics Academy (SCALA) to reskill professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) who are keen to join the industry.

The Logistics PCP presents opportunities for both new entrants and existing logistics professionals to widen and deepen their skills for career growth in the industry. It offers 150 vacancies for PMETs for job roles as Logistics Officers and Logistics Executives over the next two years. The PCP will commence in July and is a key component of the Adapt and Grow initiative.

With better integrated systems and improved technology, the nature of jobs in the logistics industry has evolved and more high-tech skills are required as PMETs will need to manage multiple tracking systems that can be located regionally or even globally. With the launch of the Logistics PCP these PMETs will be equipped with skillsets in supply chain operations management, preparing them for new roles in areas such as freight forwarding, fleet operations management, supply chain operations, warehouse and storage supply chain. SCALA is the appointed programme partner for the Logistics PCP.

Chief Executive of WDA Ng Cher Pong said, “The logistics industry is constantly innovating to become more efficient and responsive to industry needs. As the industry evolves, new processes will be developed, and correspondingly, job roles will become more sophisticated and challenging. WDA will work with SCALA to ensure that relevant programmes are developed in tandem with industry growth and expectations. Reskilling is key to ensure that PMETs who are keen to join the industry are equipped to take on these new job roles.”

The PCP will comprise facilitated classroom sessions, customised structured on-the-job-training (OJT) and a mentorship programme.

For the OJT, SCALA will provide practical hands-on training complemented by a real-time operation environment where decisions and solutions are implemented based on real-life workplace issues. For the mentorship, SCALA will roll out the Train-the-Mentor programme which will equip experienced employees within the company with mentoring skills and knowledge to effectively coach the PCP trainees.

The SCALA Board of Advisors, appointed today, are industry practitioners who will provide leadership guidance and support on the development of training programmes and activities for the logistics and supply chain professionals.

“SCALA will play a key role in developing and empowering talents within Singapore's rapidly developing supply chain and logistics industries, ultimately enhancing the country’s position as a leading global supply chain hub. It will create a platform for the mastery of key skills through a practitioner based training methodology, offer practical and forward looking learning and skills acquisition opportunities, and provide the opportunity for those who enter the industry to excel in their career and personal development. YCH has committed to support SCALA by providing mentors in an advanced training environment, as well as hire 20% of trainees," said Dr Robert Yap, Founding Chairman of the Board for SCALA, and Chairman, YCH Group.

Ten companies have already come on board the programme and these companies will offer over 60 of the 150 vacancies for PMETs.

posted from Bloggeroid

Zyllem introduces for next-day delivery services in Singapore

Source: Zyllem.

Singapore logistics company Zyllem, one of the few same-day delivery players in Southeast Asia, today launched a domestic Next-Day delivery service for the Singapore market, where it has a customer base of over 30,000.

The Next-Day service is an extension to Zyllem’s Same-Day and Express delivery services portfolio. Zyllem’s Next-Day services has the benefit of a single pick up by one delivery partner, with sorting done in a secure facility.

“We received tremendous customer feedback for our Next-Day Early Access campaign which we conducted in March and April this year. Due to the positive early response and overwhelming demand, we are pleased to make our Next-Day delivery service available to the general public,” said Eric Ong, Zyllem Singapore Managing Director.

“While we have always excelled at delighting our customers seeking speed and reliability with our premium Same-Day delivery services, we recognise that there is a segment of market who want other options for less urgent shipments. Even in this competitive landscape, we are confident we can take on the Next-Day delivery market segment and apply our Same-Day delivery expertise to exceed customers’ expectations. Since the pilot, we have delivered thousands of parcels on a daily basis for established and well-known brands in the market.”

Zyllem is constantly looking for ways to grow its delivery partner network and offer a more comprehensive service. "Strong relationships between retailers and logistics providers have never been more important in ensuring positive experiences for end consumers,” said Noam Berda, Zyllem CEO & Co-Founder. “We are constantly seeking collaborations with both local and regional partners who are aligned to our vision of creating a leading logistics platform to serve the rapidly growing e-commerce growth in the region.”

Interested?

For a limited time period, Zyllem is offering introductory fixed rates that are as low as S$4 per parcel for high volume bookings. Book a delivery (an account is required)

Shopee Malaysia collaborates with Pos Malaysia for fulfilment

Shopee Malaysia is collaborating with the national courier delivery service Pos Malaysia, to give all sellers on the platform the ability to ship their sold items for free.

Shopee, a mobile-first social marketplace with over 12 million users in the region, is a free-to-use online customer-to-customer (C2C) platform. Launched in December 2015, Shopee aims to empower entrepreneurs, both individuals and businesses, to buy and sell safely and securely on mobile. In Malaysia Shopee has seen more than a million downloads of its app within six months.

Shopee already has no listing fee and no commission fee. The Shopee Free Shipping Program further lowers barriers to entry for all by making buying and selling easier as the cost of shipping is removed.

The beta version was launched in early May to selected sellers through several batches to monitor the growth and engagement for the Free Shipping Program. The programme grants sellers a capped subsidy for deliveries of items to West Malaysia and East Malaysia respectively.

“Since the launch of the Shopee Free Shipping Program, we have seen tremendous growth on our platform. The daily orders of most of our sellers have doubled and even tripled in some instances,” said Ian Ho, Regional Managing Director of Shopee.

Randy, owner of the zmobile store on Shopee, says the programme has benefitted sellers. "Before joining the programme, my customers are mostly from Kuala Lumpur. But thanks to the Free Shipping programme, now I have buyers from East Malaysia and my sales have increased by five times in three months,” he remarked.

On top of generating tremendous benefits to sellers, this programme is also attractive for buyers. “This prestigious partnership will also help buyers across Malaysia to shop and not worry about paying for shipping fees on our platform,” Ho added.

Dato’ Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh, Pos Malaysia’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “The collaboration between Pos Malaysia and Shopee is a significant milestone for us to delve and tap further into new business opportunities, especially in the e-commerce sector. With the launch of our e-Commerce Hub and the Pos Laju EziBox, the entrepreneurs on Shopee would now be able to benefit from greater convenience by having greater touch points and the ability to perform online transactions 24-hours globally. We are aligned with Shopee’s vision in helping local entrepreneurs grow their business via our platform and would work hand-in-hand with them to roll out more services in the near future.”

In addition to the Shopee Free Shipping Program, Shopee provides access to free entrepreneurship programmes and workshops conducted by Shopee University to educate and empower entrepreneurs.

“Shopee University actively provides guidance on how to run an online business and insights into the latest mobile e-commerce trends for our sellers. Attendees are taught about Shopee, and are given exclusive updates on our latest features, products and promotions. Our main aim is to maximise the potential of our sellers and empower more online businesses to utilise mobile e-commerce platforms as a revenue-generating platform,” explained Ho.

The curriculum at Shopee University is developed based on the best practices of Shopee’s top sellers, featuring more topics such as online marketing methods for e-commerce, product photography and supply chain optimisation.

Interested?

The Shopee app can be downloaded for free on all mobile platforms via Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about developments at Shopee Singapore and a lesson at Shopee University on how to take #instagramworthy shots

posted from Bloggeroid

Shopmatic merchants get Aramex logistics support

Shopmatic, a Singapore e-commerce SaaS (software-as-a-service) company, is collaborating with Aramex, a global provider of logistics and transportation solutions to allow online merchants to deliver their products efficiently and securely.

Shopmatic offers an all-in-one e-commerce solution that enables business owners to build and manage their businesses online, commission-free. This collaboration between Shopmatic and Aramex serves to boost Shopmatic's capabilities as a reliable and comprehensive e-commerce solution provider for anyone who wishes to sell online.

"There is enormous potential for online shopping spending in Singapore, which is projected to grow from S$4.8 billion in 2015 to S$6.9 billion by 2018. Shopmatic wants to enable its users to take advantage of this growth by simplifying the online selling experience. We recognise that managing the last-mile delivery is one of the biggest challenges for homepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and we want to help them solve this problem," CEO & Co-Founder of the Shopmatic Group, Anurag Avula, said.

"We feel that the partnership with Aramex is a natural fit because both companies share many of the same values, including a shared passion for excellence and a customer-centric mindset. We are confident that our collaboration will enhance our 'one-stop-shop' value proposition, managing the entire ecosystem, enabling anyone to sell online."

Othman Aljeda, CEO of Aramex in Asia, said: "We are excited to partner with Shopmatic to enable local entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs and homepreneurs, to sell their products internationally. Aramex offers a wide range of customised e-commerce solutions. We are committed to expanding our e-commerce offerings and geographical footprint to meet the increasing demand for global online shopping delivery solutions and to support e-tailers to grow their business."

Aramex e-commerce solutions will come as part of all custom-built Shopmatic platforms, which are now available in India, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Canon introduces FleetnexG cloud-based logistics for SMEs

Canon Singapore has introduced FleetnexG, a cloud-based logistics solution that equips businesses with real-time data for tracking delivery and automated scheduling. The solution is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for whom scheduling, delivery of goods, and documentation for compliance are part of their core business operations.

“For SMEs to succeed today, they must look beyond simply fulfilling orders in a timely fashion, to optimising resources for greater efficiency and productivity,” said Vincent Low, Director & General Manager of Business Imaging Solutions, Canon Singapore. “FleetnexG combines Canon’s knowhow in document imaging technology with a robust cloud-based software to address the challenges faced by these businesses in tracking and managing resources, enabling them to harness the benefits of real-time data without the daunting costs of implementation.”

Smarter processes

FleetnexG is fully compatible with Canon’s range of multifunctional devices. Business owners can choose among proof of delivery, scheduling and fleet management system, mobile delivery note, or a combination of two services to increase efficiency.

With this solution, documentation and processes are digitised. As a result, businesses reduce the possibility of misplacing proof of delivery documents, and negates the need to match those documents against delivery orders, a process that typically takes two to three business days. This shortens the order fulfilment cycle, enabling the business to be more efficient in payment processing.

Real-time insights

Without the tools to access automation, business owners often resort to time-consuming processes such as manual documentation, which may be prone to inaccuracies. Additionally, the lack of insights derived from real-time data may result in inefficiencies in the form of unnecessary delivery trips, fuel expense, and manpower.

With FleetnexG, business owners can access an automated streamlined work process to identify and optimise areas along the process flow, redeploying employees for higher value work. At the same time, real-time data offers end-to-end tracking and higher accountability to clients.

Use cases can include:

Proof of Delivery

· Real-time status updates to track delivery and return of goods.
· Quick and easy organisation of data, saving administration staff the time to match the delivery order to the proof of delivery documents.
· Easy retrieval of digitised documents and saves administrative staff the hassle of manual filing.

E-signatures or mobile delivery notes

· Delivery orders can be signed using a wide variety of smart devices and the proof of delivery is transmitted as real-time data.
· Documents can be digitalised for easy retrieval.
· Faster billing upon fulfilment of orders.

Scheduling & fleet management system

· System optimises vehicle inventory and scheduling to reduce fuel costs and manpower.
· Reduce administrative burden by automating and generating operational reports.

FleetnexG is developed in conjunction with TPS Asia Pacific and exclusively distributed in Singapore by Canon Singapore.

posted from Bloggeroid

Guaranteed couriered deliveries with Zap Delivery in Singapore

Source: Zap Delivery.

Zap Delivery, an on-demand express courier service, has rolled out a mobile app that guarantees the fast, secure and reliable deliveries of documents and parcels in Singapore in under two hours. The app, which features advanced authentication technology and real-time tracking, aims to offer greater peace of mind to users in Singapore expecting deliveries.

“We’ve personally gone through numerous delivery misfortunes, so we decided to develop an app that is easy to use and one that will garner user confidence,” said Michael Tan, Zap Delivery Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “With this app, we hope to transform and disrupt the way the traditional logistics industry works.”

Drawing inspiration from the public’s familiarity with the one-time password (OTP) used in secure banking transactions, Zap Delivery features a similar patent-pending, authentication technology, which replaces the arbitrary signatures that traditional couriers usually use to confirm delivery receipts. This process ensures that items arrive not only safely, but also to the rightful recipients. Additionally, the app features real-time tracking that allows senders to know the exact location of their items, every step of the way.

With a transparent and attractive pricing structure, and a cashless payment system in place, Zap Delivery seeks to keep express delivery costs affordable for users, from as low as S$5.

Anyone who is eligible and looking for additional income can partner Zap Delivery to provide a courier service. The app matches courier partners with the nearest customers who need immediate service within their vicinity. Zap Delivery’s courier partners can act upon delivery requests immediately, without having to go through a hub-and-spoke network used by traditional courier services. With this system, they will be empowered to complete more deliveries and earn a higher supplementary or main income, as compared to being traditional couriers. They are also free to choose their preferred modes of transportation – from driving, cycling, to hopping onto the public transportation network or even a hoverboard.

Interested?

Zap Delivery currently has a network of more than 500 courier partners, all of whom have passed stringent qualification and background checks. The app is available on iOS and Android. Download the app or apply to be a courier

Ninja Van launches self collection service

A Ninja Van delivery van.

Southeast Asian logistics provider Ninja Van has launched Ninja Collect for self-service delivery.

Lai Chang Wen, CEO, Ninja Van, said: "Young Singaporeans nowadays live very busy lives. They work, hang out with friends.. There's no time to waste during the day. I understand the frustrations of having to put aside a few hours on any given day just to wait for my e-commerce purchase, which is why I felt the need to expand our range of services to include Ninja Collect. We want to give young Singaporeans the autonomy and flexibility to pick up their parcels at a time and place that is most convenient for them.”

With Ninja Collect, customers can collect their parcels from either Ninja Boxes or Ninja Points. Ninja Boxes are automated parcel lockers strategically located in accessible and urban sites including universities and business parks. Ninja Points are partner retail shops also located in urban areas with high footfall. Customers can currently collect parcels from retail, pharmaceutical, hardware and grocery outlets.

Customers of a participating e-commerce vendor can select convenient Ninja Collect venues online, then specify the Ninja Point as the shipping address when they checkout. Once the parcel has been delivered to a Ninja Collect location, the customer is notified via email or SMS and given a verification code. The code must be verified, either with the cashier at a Ninja Point or scanned at a Ninja Box, before collection.

Ninja Van says it currently runs the largest network of collection points across Singapore, and is looking to expand. The company welcomes all retail establishments, regardless of size, to become Ninja Point partners, and e-commerce businesses to integrate Ninja Collect services with their e-commerce websites.

posted from Bloggeroid

InPost officially launches Malaysia operations

Source: InPost.

InPost, the provider and operator of the world's largest international network of automated parcel lockers in dozens of countries in the world, has launched its operations in Malaysia in conjunction with a roadshow.

InPost Malaysia Managing Director Rosland Mohd Jannes said the initiative, themed Malaysia E-commerce Day (MED) 2015, aims to reach out to businesses and individuals in creating awareness of developments in e-commerce, e-payments and the logistic industry.

"MED can further boost consumers’ confidence in online shopping as well as help mitigate the customer's delivery concerns. The roadshow will bring e-commerce players closer to the housing estate areas starting this September and till year-end, at locations where InPost already installed its automated parcel lockers," said Rosland during the launch of the first roadshow at Petronas Bukit Antarabangsa on 12 September.

Source: InPost. List of roadshows, which will be held till 24 October 2015.

The half-day roadshow, from 11am to 5pm, was a collaboration between InPost's e-merchant retail partners, courier companies, fulfillment companies and location hosts of the self-service parcel lockers by InPost. Rosland said next roadshow will continue at Petronas NKVE Damansara on September 15, followed by others at other Petronas stations where the lockers have already been deployed. Signups for InPost can be done during MED.

"The public as well as small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) can meet us and e-commerce merchants in real life at MED to learn about the development in the industry and get fresh ideas on delivery options," he said.

Rosland added that the delivery is one of the biggest concerns of shoppers before placing online orders as consumers might be worried about the additional cost, delivery time frame and risk of failed delivery. MED addresses such issues through highlighting the convenience of parcel lockers as a delivery option.

By integrating InPost’s e-commerce solution, retailers can provide customers with more flexibility in their delivery and return options as they can now opt for their nearest InPost locker at check out.

"With online retail continuing to grow at a rapid pace, consumers want innovative solutions to prevent them missing parcel deliveries. From InPost’s data it transpires that more than half of users collect their parcels outside normal opening hours or during the weekends. Parcel lockers are available 24x7 at customers' convenience and they can pick their parcel anytime with no queues or opening hours. The introduction of this innovative e-commerce solution means parcels wait for shoppers rather than the other way around," said Rosland.

"We hope Malaysians will start familiarising themselves with the convenience features of this automated self-service parcel delivery lockers which have now become a familiar sight in Klang Valley."

InPost has had lockers in 30 locations in Klang Valley since June 2015, and is targeting to have 140 locations in Greater Klang Valley within 2016 and 350 locations nationwide in 2017. InPost self-service parcel lockers are now available at selected Petronas petrol stations, Tesco hypermarkets, TAR University College Kuala Lumpur and soon at selected LRT stations. 

Petronas Dagangan Head of Retail Business Shaharuddin Muhammad Sidek said the partnership with InPost Malaysia brings greater value and convenience to customers, in addition to other facilities currently available at over 1,000 Petronas stations nationwide.

"The addition of InPost lockers is in line with Petronas stations' one-stop convenience concept and matches our aspiration in promoting innovation in our brands, products and services. Now when you fuel tanks, you can also collect your online shopping at the same time," said Shaharuddin, adding that there are currently 15 Petronas stations in the Klang Valley which provide the InPost locker facilities.

"Coupled with over 700 Kedai Mesra outlets nationwide, we are continuously looking at collaborating with our partners to bring greater ease, convenience and a rewarding retail experience to our customers," said Shaharuddin.

InPost already has a designated delivery courier, Skynet Worldwide. Clients can tap on the courier service through integrating their systems with Skynet services through a web application programming interface (API).

Skynet Worldwide Malaysia's Executive Director Dr Teo Bee Yap said, "We are confident with the availability of parcel lockers in selected locations in Malaysia will help to enhance the customer experience in e-commerce purchases." 

IStoreISend.com is another local InPost partner, offering full e-fulfillment services such as warehousing, picking and packing, and delivery to the InPost parcel lockers to retailers.

IStoreISend.com Sales Director Tommy Yong Chu Zheng said customers love InPost. "No more waiting, no more missed delivery. We love InPost for its flexibility and availability anytime. Collect your parcel at your convenience," he said.

Interested?

Check the locations of operational lockers

DHL Global Forwarding rolls out pan-Asian road freight network

DHL Global Forwarding, a provider of air, sea and road freight services in Europe and Asia, has rolled out an integrated road freight network that links five key Asian cities - Singapore, Penang, Bangkok, Hanoi and Shenzhen. The new service taps the acceleration of road freight growth in Asia Pacific which is forecast at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2014 to 2019 and expected to drive the sector to a value of US$822 billion by the end of 2019*.

Source: DHL.

Delivered under DHL AsiaConnect's Less-than-Truckload (LTL) service, the interconnecting five-city service offers a seamless interconnecting delivery service with improved time and cost efficiencies and assures a consistent level of service quality regardless of the destination. DHL AsiaConnect was launched in 2011 connecting Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and now links to the existing Vietnam-China connection.

Road freight offers a viable alternative to other transportation modes, providing a more cost-effective option than air freight as well as faster shipment than sea freight. For instance, the transit time for ocean freight between Shenzhen and Bangkok takes around 13 days while the road freight option only takes five days. In comparison, air freight takes a shorter transit time of four days but will cost significantly more. There are daily departures from five cities and a sample of the transit time is as follows: 

Singapore to Penang: One day
Bangkok to Hanoi: Three days
Shenzhen to Hanoi: Two days
Shenzhen to Bangkok: Five days
Penang to Shenzhen: Six days

The five-city interconnecting road freight network comes at a time when China's One Belt, One Road² initiative is taking shape and expected to strengthen cross-border economic ties in markets between Europe and Asia. Specifically, the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt aims to enhance economic cohesiveness through infrastructure and wider trade links across the markets between Europe and Asia while the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is oriented towards ASEAN, putting DHL's integrated five-city road freight network in good stead to tap the growth potential of the One Belt, One Road strategy.

"DHL's integrated road freight network touches five crucial Asian markets - Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China - which are expected to play prominent roles in China's One Belt, One Road and other initiatives in the region such as the ASEAN Economic Community," said Kelvin Leung, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific. 

"Across the region, the total GDP of all 10 ASEAN countries combined was US$2.4 trillion³ in 2013 while China's GDP alone was US$10.3 trillion⁴ in 2014. ASEAN's global trade hit US$2.51 trillion³ in 2013 and China consistently appears among the top five trade partners for ASEAN members⁵. We are confident that intra-Asia trade will continue to grow and our road freight network stands ready to support the potential trade expansion from these initiatives." 

DHL's integrated road freight network will be advantageous for upcoming economic initiatives promoting trade and integration, having laid the groundwork that already links key Asian markets. For example, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)⁶ which is set to be established by the end of 2015, aims to create a single ASEAN market and production base facilitated by bilateral trade agreements and financial policies. The blueprint encompasses cross-border cooperation in various focus areas including capacity building, enhanced infrastructure and communication connectivity, and the development of electronic transactions. Brought to fruition, AEC will lead to a thriving ASEAN region amid the free movement of goods, services, investment and skilled labour.

DHL's multimodal network includes air, rail, road and sea, is positioned to support trade expansions across different regions. DHL's road freight network features GPS-equipped trucks to ensure customer goods are monitored for safety and tracked every step of the way, providing complete supply chain visibility. Road vehicles are also armed with anti-hijacking tools and are constantly in touch 24x7 with DHL's Command Center, which will be alerted immediately should the need arise. 

1 http://www.marketresearch.com/MarketLine-v3883/Road-Freight-Asia-Pacific-8748345
2 NDRC, China
3 ASEAN key indicators
4 The World Bank
5 USCC
6 ASEAN

LBC 360 offers one-stop business services in the Philippines

Source: LBC YouTube channel.

LBC Express, the largest cargo and logistics firm in the Philippines launched the first and only fully integrated payment and logistics platform in the country in November 2014. LBC 360 is designed to help Filipino companies and entrepreneurs of all sizes surmount challenges with the supply chain.

“We have purposely designed LBC 360 to benefit all types of businesses, from brick-and-mortar to click-and-portal,” noted Miguel Camahort, LBC President and Chief Operating Officer. “Moreover, LBC 360 allows businesses to scale their operations however they want to: whether it’s a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) seeking to streamline its operations, or a multinational corporation (MNC) that wants to gain more access to a global market, LBC 360 offers fully customisable end-to-end solution.”

The suite’s features include elements of technology, but adds consultancy, marketing, logistics and financial services too: 

• Online store solutions - storefront development, storefront operations & support, and order management
• Logistics solutions - pick-up, forwarding, stock and warehouse management
• Payment solutions - payment acceptance and processing, collection and disbursement, and safe exchange
• Delivery and branch solutions - door-to-door delivery, multi-point scheduled pick-up, and branch pick-up; 
• Ancillary solutions - direct marketing, order taking, micro-financing.

“In a manner of speaking, LBC 360 takes the guesswork out of setting up and expanding a business. We do most of the heavy lifting,” said LBC Chief Marketing Officer Javier Mantecon. “In addition, LBC 360 opens up a world of suppliers and customers to companies. Thanks to this seamless platform, distance and geography are no longer an issue for businesses that want to explore international markets.” 

View the associated video here.

LBC 360 will be at the Last Mile Fulfilment Asia 2015 exhibition on March 19 to 20 in Singapore.

SingEx launches Last Mile Fulfilment Asia

Last Mile Fulfilment Asia (LMFAsia), an inaugural trade conference and exhibition named for its focus on the last-mile fulfilment aspects for the logistics and e-commerce industries, will take place in Singapore next year. 

This is the first event of its kind focussing on last-mile fulfilment issues and opportunities within Asia, with about 1,500 trade attendees, delegates and exhibitors from the Asian region expected at the first edition, SingEx said. LMFAsia will bring together four key sectors – e-commerce, retail, logistics and parcel delivery – on one platform to maximise the business opportunities for e-commerce in Asia.

According to eMarketer, Asia Pacific will overtake North America as the world’s largest e-commerce market this year, with B2C e-commerce sales forecast to grow from US$383.9 million in 2013 to US$855.7 million by 2016. China, Indonesia and India will be the top three drivers of e-commerce growth in this region, with Southeast Asia poised to register strong growth as well. But while consumers are buying, logistics players, brand owners and retailers are struggling with technological and infrastructural constraints in last-mile fulfilment, as well as the higher fulfilment costs within Asia.

SingEx Exhibitions, a wholly-owned entity of Singapore-based SingEx Holdings, has launched LMFAsia to address this specific gap in the market today, providing a platform for all players within the fulfilment ecosystem to address the opportunities and challenges. It will bring together fulfilment centres, logistics companies, postal agencies, parcel courier companies and technology solution providers to meet with e-commerce companies and retailers to discuss and find solutions to the last mile challenges, forge new partnerships and uncover business opportunities in Asia.

Aloysius Arlando, CEO of SingEx Holdings, says, “Current events in the marketplace are addressing broader issues in the general logistics sector, thereby limiting the sources and platforms that e-commerce companies and retailers can go to for last mile fulfilment issues. SingEx is well-attuned to the impetus and needs of the Asian markets, and we saw this gap as an excellent opportunity to create an event that will provide a dedicated platform for the fulfilment ecosystem.”

Supporting this event as a Strategic Partner is EDB Singapore. Says Lee Eng Keat, EDB’s Director of Logistics and Natural Resources, “Keeping in mind the growth of e-commerce and the complexity of Asia’s fragmented trade and regulatory landscape, we are building up Singapore’s capabilities in e-commerce ranging from consumer insights to last mile fulfilment. LMFAsia will bring together thought leaders to exchange ideas on the issues and possible solutions for last mile fulfilment in Asia. The event will also allow brand owners to get a better understanding of how Singapore can help them connect to key markets and enhance their competitive edge in the burgeoning Asian market, especially Southeast Asia.”

“All business partners we are talking to have e-commerce as a top priority on their agenda. And they are all situated in different stages of development with variety of challenges and hurdles. With our global supply chain network and e-commerce know-how, we support our clients to address and master these challenges, hence being equipped for growth in this exciting market,” says Mitat Aydindag, Head of arvato SCM/eCommerce Asia, arvato Bertelsmann, which will be exhibiting in the event.

Daniel Chen, Business Development Director of D’Trans, also looks forward to the opportunity to network with key representatives from the fulfilment ecosystem across Asia, and to leverage this event to develop robust e-commerce solutions that will enable D’Trans to fulfil its delivery promise to its customers. 

“D'Trans strives to deliver growth for all our clients through provision of a dedicated logistics services by offering reliable economical and safe transportation of our customers' documents or products to their desired destination right where they want. We look forward to engage with our clients and harness the logistics network which we will establish through LMFAsia's platform,” says Chen.

LMFAsia will be held on 19 and 20 March 2015 at MAX Atria @ Singapore EXPO. It will comprise a two-day conference and an exhibition, with business matching and networking sessions as key features of the event.