The Solidarity Warehouse of the CMA CGM Foundation was inaugurated on Friday, December 6, in Marseille, in the presence of Tanya Saadé Zeenny, President of the CMA CGM Foundation; Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group; Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region; and Benoît Payan, Mayor of Marseille.

Also in attendance were Mrs. Brigitte Macron and Soprano, highlighting their close ties and joint actions with the CMA CGM Foundation.

Tanya Saadé Zeenny, President of the CMA CGM Foundation, said: “The CMA CGM Foundation has been working with French food aid organizations for several years. These organizations are currently facing an increase in demand and a lack of resources, particularly for the storage, transport and distribution of food. We decided to go further and mobilize the resources and strength of the CMA CGM Foundation to create the largest multi-association warehouse in France, located in the heart of Marseille. It took two years of work and collaboration with the associations to start from scratch, to understand the scale of the needs and to act effectively. The Solidarity Warehouse will optimize storage space, improve working conditions for volunteers, and make the distribution of food aid more efficient. This is a true social innovation and a significant investment that makes this facility unique in its technology, its relevance and, most importantly, its usefulness”.

A modern logistics platform dedicated to food aid organizations

The Solidarity Warehouse spans 5,000 m² of storage space, located in the heart of Marseille at the Arenc logistics hub, close to major transport routes. Serving as a logistics hub within the city, it stocks 3,200 tons of food that are distributed by partner organizations in Marseille and across the Bouches-du-Rhône region.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the warehouse will boost the operational capacity of partner organizations, enhance product safety, and improve working conditions for volunteers. By pooling logistics resources, the initiative will increase efficiency and reduce costs for associations. Additionally, the 500 m² of office space within the warehouse will host the local headquarters of Restos du Cœur and the French Red Cross.

With an 8% increase in 2023, the number of food aid beneficiaries has grown significantly in recent years, presenting logistical challenges for associations.

The CMA CGM Foundation leveraged the Group’s logistics expertise to optimize storage conditions, enhance volunteer working conditions, and streamline food aid distribution. The warehouse adheres to the highest technical standards in logistics, including refrigerated areas that enable associations to offer more fresh products, essential for balanced nutrition. Specifically, the 360 m² of cold storage chambers can accommodate 300 pallets of fresh and frozen products.

A collective project designed for associations

The Solidarity Warehouse is a shared space for Restos du Cœur, the French Red Cross, Secours Populaire, ANDES, and Secours Catholique. While maintaining their unique missions, these organizations can pool their efforts to deliver more effective aid, particularly in the realm of food assistance.

The Foundation will cover the full cost of equipping the warehouse and 50% of its annual operating costs. The partner organizations contribute 20%, based on the space they occupy, while the remaining 30% is funded by the State (via the Prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône), the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, and the City of Marseille, through subsidies provided to the organizations.

To ensure smooth operations, the site will be managed by a logistics expert recruited by the CMA CGM Foundation.

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Conclusion

Edward Hutchison, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems UK, explains why successful automated warehouse solutions require careful consideration when choosing the racking.

The UK’s world leading e-commerce retail sector swells demand and raises expectations for rapid delivery but the sector is also in the midst of dealing with rising labour costs combined with a shallower pool of available skills for its warehouses. This is driving growing interest in automation among many more managers responsible for fitting out these facilities, particularly as the technology continues to become more flexible, bringing it further within reach of many more companies. In fact the UK will, by 2025, be Europe’s largest warehouse automation market at over £3bn, according to market research company Interact Analysis. That will be £0.71bn larger than in Germany, which has traditionally been far more automation friendly when it comes to warehouses. Another market researcher, IMARC Group, which put the UK warehouse automation market at USD 2 Billion in 2023, expects it to reach £4.6 Billion by 2032. That’s a growth rate of over 10% during 2024-2032.

Automation’s modularity, sophisticated control systems, and performance developments can create a more practical and flexible solution for a greater variety of applications – from fulfilling omnichannel retail to supplying line-side manufacturing. Stacker crane based automated storage and retrieval systems, for example, will provide high density storage on a given footprint within a warehouse to offer an efficient and safe goods to picker solution.

However, smooth operation of this software-driven warehouse technology will rely on the racking. Given it plays such a vital role in maintaining the flow for highly accurate and rapid order picking within a warehouse, racking should be carefully considered because the right design will help an automated system to realise its performance benefits. Reliable racking will also minimise maintenance and the subsequent costly downtime for an automated system, helping to improve its productivity and hasten the return on the investment.

Assessing the quality of racking starts with the basic components: the uprights and beams. Fine tolerances in the racking’s manufacture and installation are needed for the stacker crane to run smoothly, with trouble-free operation and maximum safety. Bolted frame components will allow a fast exchange of damaged components. Uprights need to be available in a range of widths and different material thicknesses to allow an ideal upright geometry for frame heights of over 20 metres and bay loads as heavy as 40 tonnes.

Suppliers using state-of-the-art machinery to manufacture racking components will produce all the elements at the exact required size and of a consistent quality and tolerance. This ensures long-term integrity of the racking system.

Ed Hutchison

The quality of the materials used in the racking will determine how an installation will stand up to the rigours of everyday operations. For example, galvanising and epoxy coating ensures high corrosion resistance and guarantees a long service life for all components. Safety is high on any list of considerations and starts with the integrity of the installed system, which is enhanced by stable floor anchoring, while pallet support bars add additional strength.

A supplier that can provide the bins and containers in addition to racking and shelving will offer the advantage of compatibility between these two elements. This will avoid numerous issues that can disrupt smooth material flow, such as bins not rolling properly down carton live flow lanes. It also makes it easier to achieve the maximum density of stock because multiple containers designed to fit precisely with a bay racking or shelving without leaving unnecessary gaps can generate considerable space savings throughout a warehouse storage area.

They will be able to supply specially designed bins and trays that have been adapted to automated racking and stacker crane conditions and meet the requirements of the system. For example, BITO XL series stacker containers, KLT small parts containers, and trays made from steel sheet or polypropylene, all meet the requirements of automated bin storage and are suited for any application.

Racking projects for automation will draw on a supplier’s experience and its ability to work with systems integrators and automation companies in addition to suppliers of other equipment and solutions, such as mezzanine floor and forklift truck companies. Reference site visits are a great way to assess the standard of a product in a working scenario. It is also useful to have a close look at the equipment in a showroom environment wherever possible.

Ultimately, when it comes to storage and order picking solutions, companies are seeking high quality – not just of the physical products, but also of the installation team and service support. As a customer about to make a large investment in automation, you really will need to take a careful look at racking.

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South Korea-based heath and beauty retail chain Olive Young has recently deployed Libiao Robotics’ T-Sort handling technology in its new 33,000 sq m national distribution centre in Gyeonggi Province, bringing the retailer unprecedented levels of efficiency, speed and order accuracy.

Established in 1999 and now considered a market leader in the booming K-beauty* sector, Olive Young operates more than 1,300 stores and is growing its online marketplace for its products at a considerable rate. It has seen a rapid growth in business post-Covid thanks to its wide product range allied with an ethical approach to business. In order to fulfil greater volumes of online orders at a faster throughput, it chose to equip its new-build DC with a cutting-edge robotic system devised and installed by automated warehouse storage pioneer Libiao Robotics.

Efficient Inventory Management

The integrated logistics centre, which became operational in September 2024, has been built to service Olive Young’s numerous stores in the Seoul metropolitan area as well as handle its national and export online sales. Its single-layer structure enables efficient inventory operation and management, and integrates logistics functions across multiple Olive Young brands – including its private labels such as Bio Heal boH and WAKEMAKE – that were previously fulfilled at three separate sites. The location of the warehouse and the sophistication of the technology within it mean that Olive Young can offer customers in the Seoul metropolitan area a same-day delivery option.

At the heart of the facility lies Libiao’s flexible T-Sort sorting solution, a fast and efficient order-to-person solution in which 320 of Libiao’s “mini yellow” autonomous robots collect ordered items from one of four induction stations and feeds them to one of 32 work stations where they are collated prior to dispatch. In this case, Libiao custom produced the autonomous robots in bright green, at Olive Young’s behest, in order to match its brand colour requirements.

Olive Young specified that its new system should be able to fulfil 2,190 customer orders per hour, and handle the most fragile of beauty products, which the T-Sort system comfortably achieves.
As well as offering high levels of accuracy and a rate of throughput never before experienced by the retailer, the entire automated system occupies a footprint of just 460 sq m, allowing spare warehouse space to be converted to other added-value operations. Furthermore, the system operates smoothly and quietly (≥72dB), providing a comfortable working environment for Olive Young’s warehouse team, an important consideration for a company that places ethics high on its list of priorities, and which runs a number of high-profile CSR campaigns.

The T-Sort automated warehouse storage system, which was implemented in conjunction with Libiao’s local partner CJ Logistics, can deliver a reliable service even during large-scale sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when overseas orders soar up to five times compared to normal times, thanks to its scaleable design that allows Libiao’s “mini yellows” – or “mini greens”! – to be added or taken away amid fluctuating volumes without the need for any infrastructural adjustments.

Significant Landmark

“This Libiao T-Sort installation at Olive Young represents a significant landmark in Libiao’s history, as it is the largest installation so far in South Korea,” said Ronan Shen, Libiao Robotics’ Global Head of Business. “When Olive Young saw a chance to grow its business along with the increased global interest in K-beauty products, it was careful to choose a robotics partner that matches its vision, has rock-solid tried-and-tested systems, and enables future expansion without the associated infrastructural costs that come with rival systems. Our collaboration with Olive Young is one we are particularly proud of, and we are ready to stand next to them all the way and support the brand as Olive Young grows its export business.”

The new facility – the second-largest DC in the Seoul metropolitan area – is central to Olive Young’s ambitions to grow its export markets. The market for Korean H&B products is growing at an exponential rate, and Olive Young is now ideally placed to capitalise on this K-beauty boom. The building has been designed to house customised facilities for individual shipping companies such as DHL and EMS, providing optimised delivery services for each country.

A spokesperson for Olive Young added: “The Anseong Logistics Centre will serve as the first gateway for small and medium-sized K-beauty brands in Olive Young to advance overseas. We plan to expand our global logistics network by continuously strengthening competitiveness.”

* K-beauty is an umbrella term for skincare products derived from South Korea that focus on health, hydration, and an emphasis on brightening effects.

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International law firm Reed Smith has published ‘From A2B: Decoding the Global Supply Chain’, an in-depth exploration of the rapidly evolving supply chain landscape. The report examines the worldwide forces shaping global logistics today and into the future, offering businesses strategic insights to navigate the challenges and opportunities arising in this increasingly complex field.

Spearheaded by Reed Smith’s global Transportation Industry Group and drawing from the perspectives of the firm’s global network of 30+ offices, the report addresses critical themes that include climate change, regulatory shifts and technological advancements. The guide serves as a roadmap for businesses to stay agile and resilient in the face of global disruptions.

Regulatory and compliance challenges

Businesses are navigating a complex web of compliance issues, including the U.S. semiconductor ban, sanctions, antitrust risks, and the EU’s AI Act. National security screenings and money laundering threats further heighten the need for robust risk mitigation strategies.

Technological innovations and future trends

From 3D printing and autonomous ships to augmented reality and digital product passports, cutting-edge technologies are reshaping supply chains. Reed Smith emphasizes balancing innovation with legal and operational considerations.

Environment and sustainability

Sustainability is now central to supply chains, with a focus on green methanol, LNG transitions and deep-sea mining. EU laws and global plastics treaty negotiations are driving ESG integration while green innovation offers new investment avenues.

Financial and investment considerations

Financing innovations, insurance solutions and evolving investment opportunities in shipping and freight are key to managing supply-chain disruptions effectively.

Operational and logistical challenges

From negotiating logistics agreements to addressing HR impacts and managing international employee mobility, businesses must tackle operational hurdles to ensure efficiency.

Jurisdiction-specific supply-chain challenges

Regional nuances, from U.S. state laws and China’s export controls to Middle Eastern drone opportunities and UK trade policies, reflect the global nature of supply chain challenges.

Transportation Industry Group Global Chair Richard Hakes reflects on the unique challenges of this fast-changing field: “The pace of change in the supply chain is relentless. Helping clients through the legal side of it requires a strong understanding of law, but you also need to keep up with all the latest trends, industry developments, technologies and regulations. Logistics is going through a massive transformation right now. New technologies are coming in, and customer expectations are changing just as fast. ‘From A2B’ digs into these shifts and gives our clients tools to stay flexible and thrive amid constant change,” Hakes says.

Remarking on how the global supply chain impacts everyday life, Hakes says, “The supply chain isn’t some far-off, industrial concept anymore – it’s something that’s touching us all, right where we live. Every day, the things we buy and use make their way to us through a massive network that spans the globe. It’s something that matters to everyone, whether you’re a consumer, a worker or a business – it’s just part of how we live now.”

As a global law firm, Reed Smith provides strategic advice to transportation and logistics clients in complex regulatory matters, high-stakes litigation and major transactions. By addressing critical topics such as sustainability, digital transformation and compliance, From A2B: Decoding the Global Supply Chain reflects Reed Smith’s commitment to helping clients thrive in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world.

The Venice Carnival is an iconic event that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year, and for those who want an even more exclusive experience, private jet flights are the perfect choice for arriving in the city in style. But it’s not just the flight that makes arriving in Venice special: transportation from Marco Polo Airport to the heart of the city and attending luxury events during Carnival offer an unparalleled travel experience. Let’s discover together how a private jet ride and an exclusive boat transfer can transform your stay during the Venice Carnival.

Do you want to get to Venice by Private Jet ? Also read our articles on private flights to Venice from Paris and from London

Venice Airport: A VIP Terminal for Demanding Travelers

Venice Marco Polo Airport is the perfect entry point for those who want a luxury travel experience. The airport offers exclusive services to VIP passengers, with a private terminal that avoids crowds and long lines, ensuring departure and arrival in total privacy and comfort.

Travelers arriving by private jet can take advantage of the FBO (Fixed Base Operator), a dedicated facility that provides high-end services such as express check-in, private lounges, concierge, and access to premium car rentals.

Thanks to these exclusive services, travelers can disembark and continue to their destination without stress, enjoying an unparalleled experience characterized by utmost discretion and comfort.

How to get to the Carnival by boat from Venice Airport

Once you land at Marco Polo Airport, the journey does not end there-the real luxury begins with the transfer from the terminal to the hotel or luxury locations in central Venice. If you arrive by private jet, a private boat transfer is a must for those seeking the ultimate in comfort. From the luxury boats, you can admire the breathtaking views of the city, sailing along the canals as they approach the most exclusive places in Venice.

The private boats are luxurious and fully customizable, with all the amenities on board to make the most of the short crossing. Sailing along the canals of Venice offers a unique experience: from the Grand Canal to the San Marco area, the boats are equipped to offer an exclusive experience, with champagne on board, dedicated concierge, and privileged access to the city’s most exclusive corners.

VIP events at the Venice Carnival

The Venice Carnival is famous for its elegant costumes, exclusive parties and masquerade balls, and it is also the perfect stage for luxury events. Most invitation-only events take place in Venice’s historic palaces and theaters, where elegance and exclusivity are at the heart of every event.

Among the most renowned are the Doge’s Ball, a gala event in a historic palace, where guests dress up in the most sumptuous costumes and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of luxury, dancing late into the night. Other exclusive events include private shows and parties hosted by luxury hotels such as the Danieli and Palazzo Venart, which offer the perfect combination of history, elegance, and impeccable service.

Attending these events is the ultimate for those looking for a unique and memorable experience during Carnival, and flying by private jet is the ideal way to start the journey with the utmost sophistication.

Book Your Luxury Transfer with PrivateJetFinder

Booking a private jet with PrivateJetFinder is the best way to experience an exclusive trip to Venice, especially during the magical Carnival period. In addition, there is the possibility to make the experience even more unique by arranging a luxury boat transfer from the airport to the center, to reach the most important hotels and the most iconic venues of the festivities. By booking with PrivateJetFinder and planning ahead, our staff will be on hand to support you in arranging this service, ensuring an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most fascinating cities.

Unsworth, a global logistics and freight forwarding provider, is expanding its air freight division with the opening of a new, dedicated logistics hub at London Heathrow Airport.

This expansion underscores Unsworth’s commitment to providing businesses with faster, more efficient air freight solutions. By relocating its air freight team from the company’s headquarters in East London, Unsworth is strategically positioning itself at one of the UK centres of air cargo operations to better meet the needs of its clients.

Unsworth’s expanded air freight team is led by an experienced management group and brings tailored expertise to both import and export operations.

The branch is managed by Mick Patterson, who joined Unsworth in August this year from World Transport Agency. He is supported by Symone Burt leading the Export team and Mark Sidwell spearheading Import operations. Together, their leadership strengthens Unsworth’s ability to provide bespoke solutions for complex supply chain management needs from its new Heathrow airfreight hub.

Thomas Kuehn, the company’s managing director said: “In a year that has seen Unsworth celebrate its 50th anniversary, the decision to open a dedicated branch at Heathrow Airport is more than a geographic shift. It represents a strategic investment in elevating service capabilities and operational efficiency.

“Being on-site at Heathrow places Unsworth’s airfreight team in direct contact with airlines, freight handlers, and customs officials, ensuring seamless communication and streamlined cargo movement. Operating from the heart of air freight operations enables us to tackle logistical challenges in real-time, keeping shipments on schedule and improving overall client satisfaction.”

With the expanded airfreight team and a presence at one of the world’s key logistics hubs, Unsworth is well-equipped to continue its mission of simplifying global trade and delivering excellence in freight forwarding.

Kuehn concludes: “The opening of our Heathrow branch is just the latest milestone in our mission to provide world-class logistics solutions. By investing in our team and infrastructure, we’re ensuring that current and future clients have the support they need to stay competitive in a fast-changing market.”

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Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), Iraq’s premier multi-purpose cargo handling facility located at the Port of Umm Qasr, received the inaugural call of the RCL West India-Gulf (RWG) service last October.

Operated jointly by Regional Container Line (RCL) and Bengal Tiger Line (BTL), the RWG service strengthens the country’s trade connectivity by introducing faster, more efficient shipping connections to India and the Middle East. With a 21-day turnaround time, the service strategically rotates through key ports: Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali, and Umm Qasr, before returning to Mundra.

“We are excited to welcome RCL and BTL as partners in advancing trade and connectivity in the region. The RWG service reinforces our commitment to providing world-class service and supporting Iraq’s role in the global trade network,” said Romeo Salvador, BGT chief executive officer.

The maiden call highlights BGT’s importance as Iraq’s most advanced terminal. With modern infrastructure, streamlined operations, and proximity to major regional markets, BGT serves as a vital gateway for businesses looking to tap into Iraq’s emerging economy.

RCL and BTL have each deployed a vessel to the service – the Vira Bhum and the Intersea Traveler. A total of three vessels with capacities ranging from 2,500 to 2,700 TEUs will be deployed to the service to ensure reliability.

A subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), BGT is the gateway of choice in Iraq, offering shipping lines and cargo owners unparalleled access to efficient, scalable and future-ready port solutions to meet the demands of modern global trade.

Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT) is a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) headquartered in the Philippines. In 2014, ICTSI signed a contract with the General Company for Ports in Iraq to manage, operate and rehabilitate terminal facilities in North Port Umm Qasr, Iraq and to develop and expand container handling capacity via new infrastructure development. ICTSI has progressively built on this initial commitment.

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CTP, one of Europe’s largest listed developers, owners and managers of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA), has handed over a new 100,000 sqm logistics centre in Hungary to Tesco. Built as part of a greenfield investment spanning 60 hectares near Szigetszentmiklós, the state-of-the-art facility aims to enhance Tesco’s efficiency in serving Hungarian customers, optimise transportation logistics, and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions and environmental impact. The centre will fully serve Tesco stores nationwide starting in March 2025.

The nearly 1-kilometer-long logistics complex includes two cold storage halls with variable temperature settings, a dry goods hall, a truck wash equipped with a water recycling system, vehicle repair and forklift service facilities, a gas station, and electric vehicle chargers. By consolidating its storage operations into one centre, Tesco will streamline its supply chain processes and reduce emissions caused by transportation. As part of the investment, road development in the surrounding area has also been completed to ensure uninterrupted and efficient traffic flow for both the local population and the logistics centre.

Sustainability is a key focus of the new development. The facility is powered by renewable energy, with 8,620 solar panels installed, providing a total capacity of 3.75 MW. The building has been awarded an ‘A’ energy rating and is expected to achieve BREEAM certification by the end of 2024. According to Tesco’s calculations, the redesigned logistics operation will reduce annual transportation-related CO2 emissions by 830 tons. Additionally, the complex’s truck wash features a water recycling system, and an irrigation well has been installed to maintain green spaces without impacting the local drinking water supply.

“We are very pleased to take possession of our new domestic logistics centre, which is a huge milestone in the history of Tesco in Hungary,” said Zsolt Pálinkás, CEO of Tesco Hungary. “The retail sector has undergone significant transformation in recent years, with home delivery services, innovation, and sustainability becoming increasingly important. With this environmentally conscious logistics centre, equipped with the most modern technologies, we are better prepared to meet new demands while making progress toward carbon neutrality by 2035. CTP has proven to be an excellent partner, delivering world-class construction and real estate development solutions that support our position as a leader in the Hungarian retail market.”

Dr. Ferenc Gondi, Managing Director of CTP Hungary, emphasized the importance of this project: “The construction of Tesco’s domestic logistics centre in Szigetszentmiklós is a prominent milestone in CTP’s history in Hungary. We believe in becoming an integral part of the communities where our logistics parks are present, and this project reflects our commitment to enhancing quality of life for the local population. Through sustainable and people-centric real estate development, we strive to create transparent and innovative solutions that support economic growth while prioritizing environmental responsibility.”

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