Lufthansa Cargo has significantly strengthened its partnerships with key players in China, marking a strong commitment to the burgeoning e-commerce market. The airline's agreements with Shanghai and other important hubs have allowed it to tap directly onto the growing air cargo volumes, which reached 20.06 million tonnes in 2024, representing nearly 20% growth over the previous year. The capacity increase out of China was reported at 25%, with major airports experiencing double-digit percentage growth, according to reports.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport emerged as the busiest for air cargo, handling 3.77 million tonnes last year alone, with substantial improvements made to its operational efficiency, including the addition of 10 new destinations and the restoration of eight routes linked to the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. Other airports, such as Guangzhou Baiyun and Shenzhen Bao’an, also saw impressive growth, solidifying China’s position as a global air cargo hub.
Meanwhile, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) reported remarkable results for the first three quarters of the fiscal year 2024-2025, posting a 32% increase in net profit to ₹8,038 crores from ₹6,089 crores previously. Notable growth was witnessed during the October-December quarter, with net profits rising to ₹2,518 crores, reflecting strong operational execution across key business areas.
Ashwani Gupta, the Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, expressed enthusiasm about their performance, attributing the success to market share gains and significant improvements within the logistics sector. The company's cargo volumes reached 332 million metric tonnes, marking a 7% rise year-on-year. High demand for containers and liquids drove growth significantly, as the container market share improved to 45.2% for the period.
APSEZ's continuous efforts have resulted not only in profit increases but also new project launches and acquisitions, such as operations at the Vizhinjam Port and the completion of several key transactions worth over ₹4,600 crores. Gupta also highlighted recent recognition by S&P Global CSR, which named the firm among the Top 10 most sustainable global companies within the transportation sector, reflecting APSEZ’s commitment to incorporating sustainability across its operations.
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) also demonstrated stellar performance, handling over 2.8 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during the fiscal year-to-date 2025. This is approximately 11.4% higher compared to previous periods, with December alone accounting for more than 442,000 TEUs, which is up 4.7%. This growth is buoyed by various infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing capacity and improving logistics operations, like the new ship-to-shore cranes recently installed at the Port of Savannah.
Griff Lynch, President and CEO of GPA, emphasized the focus on infrastructure renovation to meet customers' long-term needs, underscoring the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders. With several noteworthy developments, including the upcoming completion of the Garden City West Terminal's storage yard and the expansion of customs inspection facilities, the GPA is on track to continue its upward trend.
Closer to the Great Lakes, the Port of Toledo has seen some fluctuations, reporting about 3% overall decline in tonnage for 2024; nevertheless, the general cargo sector experienced over 30% growth, with aluminium shipments reaching record levels of 330,208 tonnes. Joe Cappel, vice president of business development at Toledo Port, indicated concern about external factors like potential tariffs but remained confident about demand and future prospects.
The port's general cargo segment, which encompasses metals and miscellaneous products, increased significantly from 319,395 tonnes to 417,269 tonnes, contributing to higher revenues and job creation. It's informs growth not just for the port but for the surrounding economy as well, with industries relying heavily on the services provided by ports. Along with this, steel traffic also reached notable levels, indicating broader industry trends toward urbanization and infrastructure development.
Looking across the global stage, numerous ports are responding dynamically to changing market conditions, focusing on investments and partnerships to strengthen performance and efficiency. With the air freight volumes and operational achievements from APSEZ to the GPA, port authorities are clearly adapting and gearing up for the future, signaling continued growth and resilience within the logistics supply chain.
Overall, 2024-2025 appears to be setting new benchmarks for cargo handling and port operations amid heightened global demand, with many regions ramping up their logistics initiatives. The increasing cooperation and technological advancements signal not just growth for ports but also invaluable contributions to local economies, labor markets, and international trade.