Author:jaco-de-klerk

Supply chain resilience: Up in the air? May 20, 2025 The air cargo industry isn’t just about shipping goods, it’s about safely bearing civilisation forward… It plays a vital role in maintaining resilient supply chains across the globe, as revealed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA, representing approximately 340 airlines and more than 80% of global air traffic, recently emphasised the vital role of air cargo in maintaining global supply chain resilience. At the 18th World Cargo Symposium […]

Battle those supply chain bandits March 31, 2025 Cargo theft is on the rise, but hope isn’t lost. We delve into various solutions that cargo carriers can use to fight back. Verisk CargoNet, a business unit of global data analytics and technology provider Verisk, reports that cargo theft activity across the US and Canada reached record-breaking heights in 2024. The 3,625 reported incidents represent a stark 27% increase from the previous year, while the estimated average value per theft also […]

Could MCVs be perfect battery banks? March 13, 2025 With a predicted global market value of US$108.9 billion by 2032 and a push towards electrified drivetrains, medium commercial vehicles (MCVs) could offer a perfect solution for the energy conundrum…  Fortune Business Insights, a UK and US-based company that offers market studies and consulting services to global businesses, expects the global MCV market to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% between 2023 and 2032. “The growing demand for […]

The wheels are alive with the sound of innovation March 6, 2025 One of JACO DE KLERK’S favourite childhood movies perfectly summarises current developments in the tyre industry. I still get giddy every time that I see Maria, played by Julie Andrews, twirl in that sweeping view of the Austrian Alps as she sings “The hills are alive with the sound of music,” in the screen adaption of The Sound of Music. The same sense of joy was sparked when […]

Are you ready to ride the wave? March 10, 2025 The global AdBlue business is booming. Grand View Research predicts that the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) market will reach US$61.56 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2025 to the end of this decade. AdBlue, also known as DEF, is a solution of urea and deionised water used in SCR systems to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel engines. According to the […]

Plain sailing for maritime cybersecurity? August 21, 2024 Cybersecurity has become a top priority in all industries, and the maritime sector is no exception. Unfortunately, it’s still seen as an “easy target” for cyberattacks. But there’s good news on the horizon – a new way to measure cybersecurity risks has been developed, which could change the game. The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a maritime classification society founded back in 1862, has introduced a new methodology to assess cybersecurity risks […]

Sustainability in the spotlight October 25, 2024 Haldane Dodd, executive director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), says it best: “Aviation helps drive the development of the modern world.” However, this does come at a cost… According to ATAG – a coalition of aviation industry experts focusing on sustainable development issues – if aviation was a country, it would be the 17th largest economy in the world – contributing nearly US$3.5 trillion in economic impact. At the same time, […]

An ascending aftermarket? November 4, 2024 Global market studies and consulting services provider Fortune Business Insights projects that the global automotive aftermarket will grow from US$430.51 billion in 2024 to US$568.19 billion in 2032. This equates to a compound annual growth rate of 3.5% during the forecast period; what is driving these gains? The automotive aftermarket industry is propelled by ageing vehicles. “As vehicles mature, they necessitate more frequent maintenance and repairs due to component deterioration,” emphasises Fortune Business Insights […]

Supertruck 2: from science fiction to fact October 11, 2024 JACO DE KLERK has always been fascinated by concept vehicles. It’s amazing what designers and engineers can achieve when given a blank canvas and free rein… When I started writing for this industry more than a decade ago, concept trucks seemed to belong more in the realm of science fiction. Back then, these masterpieces of the mind pushed the boundaries of automation and alternative drivetrains, capturing the imagination of millions.  […]

Talent recognised at FIATA World Congress October 14, 2024 The 2024 FIATA World Congress concluded at the end of September as a resounding success, having brought together 878 leaders, experts, and stakeholders from the global logistics and freight forwarding industry from across 85 territories.  The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), a non-governmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 territories, has been convening industry leaders and innovators in logistics at its flagship FIATA World Congress for nearly […]