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DHL's growth broadening beyond Express - Global Forwarding sparkles

With the headline numbers pre-released three weeks ago, the full third-quarter report matters most for where DHL's growth is coming from. Express still earns about 60% of group profit, but forwarding is winning air freight faster than its main rivals in a tight market, and Supply Chain's new contracts are up 42% this year, with data centres among its growth sectors. The open question is how much of the momentum survives as tight air capacity eases, a tailwind that ...

PACTL gains Cargo iQ Certification

Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd. (PACTL) has become the first air cargo terminal operator from the Chinese mainland to achieve Cargo iQ Certification. PACTL, together with its subsidiary PACTL WEST, has successfully completed the Cargo iQ audit process and the resulting certification recognises the implementation of Cargo iQ's quality standards for ground handling operations at both facilities. Cargo iQ, an industry initiative supported by IATA, promotes common quality standards and performance measurements across the air cargo supply chain. Its framework focuses on defining and monitoring key shipment milestones, helping industry participants improve process transparency, data quality and operational performance. PACTL, which became a member of Cargo iQ in June last year, said the certification marks an important step in its ongoing efforts to strengthen shipment visibility, support consistent performance measurement and enhance service quality through data-driven management. Working closely with IATA, PACTL integrated Cargo iQ requirements into its operational processes and established a dedicated database for daily data analysis and performance monitoring. These efforts complement wider digital initiatives, including Easy Cargo 2.0, Hermes 5 upgrade and ONE Record pilots, which support the continued development of connected data exchange and digital cargo handling processes. "Achieving Cargo iQ certification reflects our commitment to operational quality through consistent processes, data-driven management and continuous improvement," said Carsten Hernig, deputy general manager of PACTL. "It represents the collective efforts of our colleagues at PACTL and PACTL WEST and provides a foundation for further strengthening operational transparency and service quality for our airline customers and logistics partners." "Congratulations to PACTL for its swift and rigorous implementation. Achieving this milestone reflects strong leadership and a clear commitment to quality standards and operational excellence in ground handling," added Marie Seco-Köppen, executive director of Cargo iQ. "PACTL's active engagement within Cargo iQ demonstrates how collaboration drives continuous improvement and ensures regional perspectives are and will be reflected in the evolution of our global standard." Following the certification, PACTL said it will continue to strengthen its quality management practices through performance monitoring, digital innovation and collaboration with industry partners, supporting the ongoing improvement of its cargo handling operations. PACTL operates operates three terminals at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and one terminal at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The company's shareholders include SAA Logistics Development Co., Ltd. (51%), Lufthansa Cargo AG (29%), and JHJ Logistics Management Co., Ltd. (20%).

Ocean the star performer as Maersk reports a Q3 bump in revenue

Maersk experienced a 27% year-on-year bump in its third-quarter revenues, hitting $18.1bn, buoyed by a sharp rise in container freight rates that more than offset a slight dip in volumes, prompting it to join ONE in revising its full-year outlook. While the Danish shipping and logistics group said revenue growth had been driven by all its divisions, Ocean Services accounted for the largest contribution, some $12.6bn, an increase of 37% on the same period last year. Group CEO Vincent Clerc said: "We delivered a strong quarter across our businesses. Despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions, global trade has remained remarkably resilient." Average loaded freight rates increased 46% year on year, to $3,287 per 40ft, with Mr Clerc singling out investment in electrification, energy, and AI infrastructure as one of the core drivers of growth. The rate increase offset moderate volume declines, added the company, down 0.8% over the three-month period to 3.37m feu, which Maersk attributed to the severe weather in Asia and the Strait of Hormuz, although volumes were, nevertheless, 0.3% up on the second quarter. The carrier noted that global container demand had grown between 2% and 4%, year on year, during the quarter, with resilient trade flows supported by consumer spending and investment. Double-digit revenue growth was also forthcoming for Logistics & Services, which recorded a 13% upturn in turnover, to $4.5bn, from $4bn a year earlier, while Forwarding saw solid growth in airfreight and project logistics. Pulling in 2.6% more volume, Terminals generated revenue of $1.5bn, up 4.9% from $1.4bn a year earlier - with Africa and Europe faring well - which the company said was driven by improved rates, higher storage revenue, and a favourable cargo mix. Across the group, EBITDA increased 75%, to $4.7bn, from $2.7bn, with EBIT up from $1.3bn a year earlier to $3.3bn, with Ocean again leading this, reporting a massive EBIT spike, from $567m in 2025 to $2.6bn this year. This strong quarterly performance, as well as expecting an overall 4% volume rise for the year, Maersk upped its full-year earnings guidance for the third time, for EBITDA from $10.5bn-$12.5bn to $14bn-$14.5bn, and raised EBIT expectation from $4.5bn-$6.5bn to $8bn-$8.5bn.