Spain aims to become the major logistics platform for southern Europe and northern Africa, serving the global east-west trade routes, as well as the emerging north-south, according to Rafael Catala, Spanish Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing.

Hamburg Airport has begun construction on its new Hamburg Airport Cargo Center (HACC). Modern facilities on Weg beim Jaeger will replace the existing air cargo center. The new facility will be 60,000 square meters (645,834 square feet) and will open in summer 2015.

International expansion has become an established route to generating revenue growth for UK retailers, but the logistics of moving products across the globe can often put a strain on efficiency and profits.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has decided on a mechanism to reduce carbon emissions from aviation activities, a move that has pleased the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the European Liaison Committee of Common Market Forwarders (CLECAT).

Sharjah-based Gulftainer is expected to record a volume increase of 30 percent in 2013. The group is continuing to expand its global footprint, with the June takeover of the Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in Saudi Arabia acting as the major driver.

TNT Express has set out plans to make recurring savings of 220m EURO by 2015 with a series of measures, including consolidating services, optimizing its infrastructure and reducing indirect costs. The restructuring is expected to cost 150m EURO by the end of 2015.