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Analysis: CH Robinson + RXO - the market weighs it up

Key takeaway: RXO is forecast to earn about 2 cents of Ebitda on each dollar of revenue this year against about 6 cents at CH Robinson, and the $300m of cost synergies - net savings from combining the two freight brokers - management is targeting would more than close the difference. Shareholders are weighing the payoff against the debt and new shares that come with the deal and the legal uncertainty around it. CH Robinson (CHRW) proudly announced yesterday that ...

Aerios speeds up fuel burn calculations for charter operations

Charter tech firm Aerios has developed a new system that aims to speed up accurate fuel burn calculations for quotations. The company said that its system now integrates three key Flight Planning Systems: Jeppesen ForeFlight, PPS, and Airbus NAVBLUE N-FP, to bring flight planning data like aircraft performance, flight routing, weather and wind, block time, and fuel burn directly into the quoting workflow. Aerios then combines fuel burn data with carrier-specific fuel pricing to automatically calculate fuel costs. The company explained that when quoting on a project, charter brokers often have the choice between using a "rough but fast estimate of fuel burn" or waiting for more accurate data at the "cost of a slower response that risks losing the opportunity". "Striking the right balance between speed and accuracy can make or break a deal," Aerios explained. Aerios founder and chief executive Simon Watson said: "With jet fuel prices high and the charter market soft, accuracy matters more than ever. Sales teams can't afford to wait on Dispatch, overquote and lose the opportunity, or underquote and erode margin." The company added that charter sales teams typically generate estimates using direct routing (DCT) and Great Circle Distance (GCD) calculations, which rely on "simplified routing assumptions" that can materially underestimate flight time and fuel burn. In contrast, detailed routing from Flight Planning Systems provides better operational accuracy and a more realistic view of the route, block time, and fuel burn, enhancing precision by 10-15%. "But it's slower, as sales teams trawl through disparate systems and manually contact dispatch departments, introducing delays they can't afford." Aerios added that its app also allows users to maintain contracted fuel prices, import updated supplier pricing via CSV and override pricing manually. Aerios has been investing in its technology this year and has implemented several new updates. In January, the company added a new Artificial Intelligence module that it hopes will create efficiencies by automating responses to charter requests. Meanwhile, in February, Aerios teamed up with booking portal provider CargoAi to integrate real-time rate and capacity data into its charter quoting tool. And, in April, it integrated a ULD and pallet optimisation tool into its carrier app.

'More liberal' India ends licence requirement for box ship reflagging

As its emerging economy pursues maritime-driven growth, India appears willing to simplify the regulatory system for foreign-flag containerships operating out of the country. Reflecting a more liberalised approach, the Indian authorities have scrapped a licensing requirement for vessels chartered by foreign lines through local entities registered in the new business district in Gujarat State better known as "GIFT City". Business units operating on the financial centre have multiple regulatory advantages - more particularly, significant tax exemptions - and several mainline and shortsea container lines reportedly already have presence at GIFT City, including CMA CGM, Maersk, and Unifeeder. And, acting on that strength, several container line heavyweights have implemented vessel reflagging in India - six changes by CMA CGM and twoby Maersk. The French shipping giant remains particularly upbeat on India. While reflagging one vessel the Marseille-based carrier said: "With India playing an increasingly important role in the global trade, CMA CGM remains dedicated to supporting the country's maritime ecosystem and contributing to its economic development through strategic initiatives and enhanced service offerings. "India represents a strategic market for the CMA CGM group," it added. MSC and Hapag-Lloyd have promised to follow suit in local tonnage development, according to sources. The move to abolish a licensing requirement that involved considerable documentation for each call seeking to enter Indian waters is a significant policy relaxation, aimed at pushing the "ease-of-doing-business environment" for investors. And industry sources claimed it would allow "greater operational flexibility" for carriers. The exemption also builds on other policy reconfigurations. New Delhi recently agreed to continue with the cabotage law waiver for foreign vessels, after moving to revoke the 2018 policy reform earlier this year. The liberal regime permits foreign lines to move transhipment cargo and empty boxes between Indian ports without restrictions, a great enabler in the context of ever-increasing trade volatility. However, despite the cabotage rule modification, Indian coastal trades remain the domain of vessels registered locally.