Kuwait Freight Forwarding Services
Air & Sea Freight Between Kuwait and the UK

XPO's tech shows up in its outstanding numbers

As shown in its interims, the American LTL freight carrier has improved profits, service and shipment volumes at the same time. Its use of AI is less glamorous than the usual corporate pitch - but that may be precisely why it is useful. There is a particular sort of corporate earnings call in which "AI" is mentioned so frequently that it begins to sound like an apology for the absence of anything more concrete. XPO's latest results out last ...

CMA CGM bid for stake in SNCF rail freight unit hits the buffers

CMA CGM has pulled out of the race for a stake (49%) in France's biggest rail freight player, Rail Logistics Europe (RLE), according to a report in the French media. Contacted by The Loadstar, both CMA CGM and RLE parent SNCF declined to comment. The news of the French ocean shipping line withdrawing its shareholding bid for RLE, which groups all the French state rail freight business units, has not come as a complete surprise to industry observers. Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé made it clear from the outset that he was only interested in a small proportion of RLE's activities, most likely, those involved in the transport of maritime containers. Such a position does not correspond with SNCF's strategy, which focuses on finding a partner ready to take a stake in all RLE's activities. "CMA CGM pulling out doesn't surprise me. First of all, there is appears to be a personality clash between the two protagonists; SNCF chairman Jean Castex and Rodolphe Saadé. It seems that they have met on three occasions and that each time things went badly. Two strong egos, no doubt," an industry source told The Loadstar. "I also think SNCF has failed to take into account that even if a multi-hundred million investment is a relatively minor sum for CMA CGM, it nevertheless entitles it to a say in the governance of RLE - guarantees it didn't get, as Mr Castex isn't one to share power." The source noted that Mr Saadé's interest in RLE focused largely on Naviland Cargo (maritime containers), a segment chief rival MSC is quickly building up a presence in, via its subsidiary, Medway. However, Naviland was not the only attraction that led CMA CGM to RLE. The latter also has considerable expertise in finished vehicle transport across Europe, which would have complemented the French group's logistics arm, Ceva, the source added. Earlier this year, CMA CGM completed the acquisition of UK operator Freightliner to boost its intermodal services, taking over 2,000 wagons, 10 terminals, and one of the largest fleets of electric locomotives in the UK. Selling 49% of RLE's capital was one of the conditions in an agreement between the EC and the French state on the break-up of Fret SNCF, which was suspected of receiving billions of euros in illegal aid. CMA CGM's withdrawal, if confirmed, would mean that three candidates remain for the stake in RLE: Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky; German logistics group Rhenus; and an unidentified private equity fund. The source, who had previously considered CMA CGM the "ideal buyer", underlined that the French group pulling out had left SNCF and the French government in something of a quandary, "I can't really see France relinquishing its sovereignty over the transport of military equipment (to a foreign company), as RLE handles at least 80% of the French army's military transport operations." France's biggest rail freight player, RLE, posted revenue for the first half of the year of €948m, a year-on-year increase of 3.9%. EBITDA increased to €118m, versus €110m a year earlier, the margin improving from 12% to 12.5%.

Emirates sees UK export cargo volumes takeoff

Emirates SkyCargo saw its exports from the UK increase by double-digit percentage levels in the last financial year as it benefited from rising demand for aeropsace, perishables and pharma volumes from the country. The Dubai-based carrier saw its UK export volumes increase by 11% year on year to 57,000 tonnes during the year running to March. The growth has continued since then, with UK export volumes between April and June increasing by a rate of 7% year on year. The cargo carrier offers widebody cargo connectivity on over 140 weekly flights from eight UK gateways including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted. The carrier highlighted three areas in particular of growth: aerospace and advanced technology; life sciences and perishables. On aerospace and advanced technology, the carrier said that between January and June it had transported more than 570 tonnes of aircraft parts and aerospace components from the UK to Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Meanwhile, its aerospace and engineering vertical saw volumes grow more than 300% year on year between January and June. "Beyond aerospace, Emirates SkyCargo has transported high-value technology infrastructure, including data centre equipment and server racks from the UK to global markets," the carrier added. The majority of high-tech equipment and aerospace components transported by Emirates SkyCargo originate from manufacturing and engineering clusters around Manchester and London. Pharma and farming boost In the first half of 2026, Emirates SkyCargo transported over 1,600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals on its aircraft from the UK. The carrier also carried more than 26 tonnes of clinical trial medications from the market. Emirates explained that Newcastle is among the carrier's key regional gateways for pharmaceutical exports, serving a major life sciences manufacturing base in the Northeast. On perishables, the airline said that it had facilitated the export of 1,500 tonnes of Scottish Shellfish as well as over 1,200 tonnes of smoked salmon to international markets around the world. "Much of the Scottish seafood transported by Emirates SkyCargo is shipped directly from Glasgow and Edinburgh, enabling exporters to reach international markets faster and helping premium products arrive fresher to consumers around the world," explained Emirates. Over 1,000 tonnes of food items were flown from the UK to the UAE during this period- the equivalent of 10 fully loaded Boeing777 freighter aircraft. The carrier added: "250 tonnes of strawberries and more than 150 tonnes of cheese were among some of the food items flown to Dubai."