Newsletters

Message from the President

Dear members,

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Conqueror’s quarterly newsletters. To begin with, I would like to thank all of you who have contributed to our newsletter by sending us all the updates about your latest projects and achievements. I really appreciate the fact that all of you are cooperating with each other to increase the business volume within the network.

In the last three months, our team has been very busy organising our second virtual meeting which is all set to take place on the 29th and 30th of November. Make sure to read our Virtual Meeting page where we have published a handful of tips that will help you conduct a professional and productive online meeting.

Our sector news in focus is about the drone delivery of vaccines by UPS. You will also find a list of news that are making headlines in this sector. Inside this newsletter, you will also find an article about Decarbonization of the Container Shipping Sector, where you will get to read about the steps being taken by the leaders of the maritime industry to combat the detrimental impact of freight ships on the environment.

In conclusion, I must say that while we are still having to deal with a lot of uncertainties, we are definitely getting closer to the end of the pandemic. In this situation, we need to stay positive for better times until the crisis abates for good. Our upcoming Virtual Meeting will give you the chance to touch base with your partners for increased project opportunities. Make sure to register in time for our 2nd Virtual Meeting for a productive business outcome! Till then keep well and start with your meeting preparations!

Hope you enjoy reading our newsletter!

Kind regards,

Antonio Torres
President and Founder - Conqueror Freight Network

Conqueror’s 2nd Virtual Meeting

Conqueror’s 2nd Virtual Meeting will take place on 29th and 30th November 2021. Before attending, make sure to do your preparations for a highly productive outcome. Here are a few tips that will allow you to have successful and professional one-to-one sessions.

Register now for the meeting and start with your meeting preparations!

THE ONE-TO-ONE MEETING SCHEDULER

As a delegate, you will be able to participate in one-to-one videoconferences of 20 minutes with your network partners. Rather than spend weeks over emailing and video conferencing, the 20 minutes of direct one-to-one talks will allow you to hash out your upcoming project details. Additionally, it will add a personal touch to your business relationships and make way for long-standing relationships with your network partners.

However, you need to select your partners for the one-to-one meetings with considerable consideration. You ideally need to book your meetings with members in areas where you need to send or receive shipments. Our one-to-one meeting scheduler will allow you to book your meetings with agents in cities where you need more contacts.

TIPS FOR A PRODUCTIVE VIRTUAL MEETING EXPERIENCE

Preparation is the touchstone for an effective outcome of any business meeting, be it virtual or in person. The importance of adequate preparation of business meetings for yielding productive results.

MEETING PREPARATION TIPS:

• Glance through the conference schedule. Double-check the meeting agenda. Do not forget to set your time zone before checking the agenda.
• Test your meeting equipment and internet connection. Check all your meeting equipment well in advance: laptop, mic, webcam, headphones, and internet connection. Attend Conqueror’s test meeting where you get to try the conference platform and let our team know in case you face any technical problems.
• Be there at least 10 minutes before the meeting commences. Avoid last-minute technical glitches. It would allow you to sort out any problems before starting your one-toone videoconferences.
• Keep the distraction level to a minimum. Conducting your virtual meeting from the quietest corner of your home or office is a proven way to minimize interruptions. Additionally, you need to keep your phone in silent mode and log out or mute notifications on Skype/Zoom or any other chat platforms to avoid unnecessary noises.
• Clear the clutter from your surroundings. An unkempt room can make a negative impression. Tidy up your surroundings before turning on the webcam.
• Dress for a formal meeting. Although an online meeting doesn’t entail stepping into a conference room, you need to dress for the occasion to present a professional image. Wearing a formal shirt or dress is absolutely recommended.

VIRTUAL MEETING ETIQUETTES YOU SHOULD TRY TO FOLLOW:

• Respect your partner’s time. Always turn up for the meeting on time and do not keep your partner waiting.
• Use a neutral accent and speak slowly. Keep in mind that you will be meeting international partners from every corner of the globe. Most of them do not speak English as their first language. This is why you should make sure to speak slowly and clearly in a neutral accent. Do not rush when it’s your turn to speak, just ask your questions one by one.
• Do not interrupt your partners while they are speaking. During an online meeting, you need to wait for the other person to finish his speech before you start talking. Interrupting other participants while they are talking doesn’t leave a good impression.
• Look at the camera while speaking. Since the meeting is virtual it is important to make eye contact with the person you’re talking to. Therefore, you need to look right at the webcam from time to time to create the illusion of an in-person meeting. This will make your partner feel that you are more engaged.

MEMBER NEWS

Conqueror Cape Town moves 2.6 million Kg of perishable cargo
Read more

Conqueror Hangzhou moves 51 temperature-sensitive shipments of nucleic acid tests
Read more

Conqueror Madrid moves to a new office space near the airport
Read more

Conqueror Ashdod handles the movement of 20 ISO tanks
Read more

Conqueror Nouakchott moves 189 units of a project cargo shipment from UAE to Mauritania
Read more

Conqueror Qingdao moves a sea freight shipment of a propeller with a weight of over 58 Mt
Read more

Conqueror member in Odessa delivers the construction materials for repairing the Ukrainian Station located in the Antarctica
Read more

SPECIAL MEETING

ANDREA MARTIN - FREIGHTVIEWER COORDINATOR MEETS WILSON HUANG - SENIOR SALES MANAGER AT BLUEX TRADE

They talk about the latest digitization trends in the transportation and logistics industry

Conqueror Freight Network has been encouraging its members to embrace digitization ever since day one. To this end, they have made available a wide range of online tools and platforms within FreightViewer, their free and exclusive transport management software. Conqueror members can avail these platforms to digitize several aspects of their businesses. The transportation and logistics industry is going through a transition phase. Ever since the pandemic, this industry is witnessing a transformation that is somewhat disruptive. For this reason, independent freight forwarders and carriers are now trying to make use of digital solutions provided by companies like BlueX. BlueX is coming up with innovative logistics tech platforms that make ocean cargo service easier and more accessible for the shippers, forwarders and carriers. Simply put, they are doing this by connecting the service providers and the customers on one single platform.

BlueX interacts directly with the carriers to create a fresh business model aimed at maximizing the revenue of the shippers. In this interview Wilson Huang and Andrea Martin discusses the way in which this industry is transforming to become more focused on efficiency and customer service. In addition, they also touch upon the way in which the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation. Mr. Huang thinks that this sector has started embracing technology since the last three years. However, the process soon became imperative to survive the stiff industry competition. In the last two years this industry has seen a major change in terms of new technologies. For example, eight out of the top ten carriers have created their own freight rate quotation platform. Maersk started this over a decade ago by launching their online booking platform Maersk Spot Booking. Presently, 52% of their cargo are being booked on this online platform.

Wilson Huang who has experience both as a carrier and as a forwarder is in a perfect position to analyze the current scenario and present a valuable opinion. According to him, digitization is not longer the future of this industry… it is happening at the very moment. So long, it were the carriers who pioneered the process of digitization. However, the scenario is fast changing as several freight forwarders are using technologies to optimize their workflow. Flexport- a freight forwarding and customs brokerage company has clearly demonstrated how digitization is meeting the modern needs of forwarders. Lastly, the pandemic has provided a further push to the digital endeavours of the transportation and logistics industry. The digital trend is finally being transformed from a vision to the reality.

Brief Report

Decarbonization of the container shipping sector

The container shipping industry, the backbone of the global economy, is undergoing a significant change to cut down on its greenhouse gas emissions. Back in 2018, UN Maritime Organization set a target to reduce carbon emissions by at least half in the next 30 years. Decarbonization has become a top priority of global governments who are presently committed to increasing efforts to lower carbon emissions to fight the climate crisis.

THE ROADMAP TO THE DECARBONIZATION OF THE GLOBAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY

The shipping sector is responsible for 2-3% of the net global carbon emissions. This has prompted the top shipping companies to take immediate measures. Maersk is trying to go carbon neutral by 2030. They have also invested in a carbon-neutral ocean liner that will set sail within the next 2 years. In the next 10 years, they want to lower Co2 emissions in container shipping by 60%. Moreover, they have the ambitious plan of having zero net carbon emission by 2050.
Shell collaborates with Deloitte UK and Deloitte Netherlands to achieve IMO’s ambitions. They are working towards a unique decarbonization approach that will adopt an ecosystem perspective. To begin with, they aim to make progress within the next 2-3 years after which they will scale up their decarbonization efforts by investing in research and setting up controlled pilot projects. In the words of Tarek Helmi, a partner of Deloitte Netherlands, “The decarbonization of shipping cannot be solved by one organization on its own... it will require close collaboration between various players in the shipping ecosystem and with other sectors.”

WAYS TO IMPLEMENT DECARBONIZATION STRATEGYS

In 2020 when the shipping industry faced a setback due to the pandemic, the maritime shipping industry took a deeper look at the feasible ways to lower carbon intensity. Thankfully, there are many steps that the shipping companies can work on to achieve the IMO target.
he immediate solutions to the environmental threat include the use of LNG or liquefied natural gas that will result in lesser carbon emissions than the traditional fuel. Moreover, the use of low-sulphur fuel and other alternative fuel sources can be a significant step forward. Additionally, the shipping companies also making investments towards further research for the reduction of fuel consumption of ocean vessels. Reassessment of the designs of the ocean liners is also being regarded as a viable solution for increasing fuel efficiency.
On the other hand, some industry experts including ONE are suggesting that reducing the speed of the ships would cut down carbon emission by at least 15- 20%. Route planning, speed management, and voyage optimization will not only boost fuel efficiency but also enhance the safety of the vessels.

THE RISE OF WIND-POWERED CONTAINER SHIPS

Until recently, the use of hydrogen fuel was the most talked-about method for lowering CO2 emission in the maritime sector. Nevertheless, hydrogen fuel isn’t cheap and the industry would require considerable government funding to pull it off successfully. Presently there is much talk about wind-powered vessels, that could make a huge difference. This most ancient form of seafaring that uses the power of the wind to cross the seas might become the future of the shipping industry.
Companies line Econowind and Neoliner are in the process of constructing wind-powered freighter ships. Although these ships are much smaller than the large container ships of our times, they will be more economic for shipping companies since the new technology will reduce CO2 emissions by 90%. Additionally, they will have better reach since they will be able to dock at even the smallest ports.

LOGISTICS NEWS

UPS SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTES THE FIRSTEVER DRONE DELIVERY OF COVID-19 VACCINES IN THE USA

American Multinational Shipping company UPS delivers vaccines for a hospital in North Carolina via Matternet drones

United Parcel Service Freight Forward, the drone subsidiary of UPS has completed the first drone delivery of vaccines for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in North Carolina. According to Dan Gagnon, the VP of Global Marketing for UPS Healthcare, “This program paves the way for drones to become a meaningful link within highlyspecialized cold chain logistics.”

The drone travelled half a mile from the hospital to reach its destination. The Matternet M2 drone carried a total of 450 doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Moreover, the drone was meticulously packed to ensure a constant temperature of 2 – 8 degrees Celsius. Just like every other vaccine shipment, this drone delivery came with a device for temperature monitoring. The battery-operated drones emit zero carbon emissions and are susceptible to less vibration than shipments moved by road freight. Additionally, they required less insulation since they make use of gel packs rather than dry ice.

Healthcare is one of the first industries in the US to adopt drone delivery services. For this reason, ever since the start of UPS Flight Forward, they are focussing on this sector which has a great potential for drone use. They are also working with WakeMed hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina for drone delivery projects. The healthcare industry can enormously benefit from drone delivery of medicines in rural areas. This is the second successful drone delivery of vaccines globally. Previously, UPS partnered with Gavi and Zipline to deliver vaccines by drones in Ghana, Africa. “The humanitarian relief initiative in Africa has already delivered over 45,000 doses of the vaccine by drone,” added Mr. Gagnon.

More logistic news at a glance

IATA Announces Brend Sullivan as the Global Head of Cargo

Brend Sullivan, who has worked in the International Air Transport Association for 14 years, has over two decades of experience in the air freight industry

Sea cargo rates continue to rise for the nineteenth consecutive week

Amidst the ongoing container shortage problem, the sea freight spot rates are steadily rising while the port shutdowns and crew shortage will further drive up the rates

Delvihery, the fastest growing logistics operator in India, takes over Spoton Logistics for US $300 M approximately

According to the CEO of Delhivery, “Over the last 10 years, Delhivery has established a leading position in B2C logistics, and now by combining our truckload business with Spoton’s, we will be on the path to the same position in B2B business as well.”

The landfall of category 4 hurricane Ida in the US state of Louisiana has seriously disrupted logistics operations

The hurricane has shut down ports, blocked rail operations and will possibly have long term effects on the supply chain sector of the state

German logistics multinational DB Schenker partners with drone manufacturer Volocopter

The two companies have come up with a platform that will integrate aerial drones into the automated warehouses of DB Schenker

Refer&Earn

Conqueror is now covering 260 cities in over 137 countries across the world!

We still have room left for more members

We’d like to take this opportunity to remind our agents once again about Conqueror’s Referral Programme.

Refer&Earn

As an agent, all you have to do is suggest the names of reliable freight forwarders who are potential candidates for CQR membership.

In case your recommended company makes it to our network then you as the referring agent will get a 25% discount on your next annual membership fee!

That’s not the end of it! If you can refer more agents who successfully becomes a part of our team then you can get as much as 4 discounts every year making your annual membership fee as less as zero for the coming year!

So make sure to tell your peers about the benefits of being a CQ R member and you might get yourself a discount on your next membership fee!

Examples of cities where we need coverage

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

You can check all the public holidays and details on www.officeholidays.com

CONQUEROR BIRTHDAYS

ENDORSED MEETINGS

Conqueror has a collaboration and presence at many industry events. Members can enjoy exclusive discounts.

Check the list of events