Lufthansa Cargo invests in booking platform cargo.one

Dec 06, 2018: German cargo airline Lufthansa Cargo continues to invest in technology as it acquires minority shareholding in the Berlin start up cargo.one.

Lufthansa Cargo is thereby making the switch from early adopter to minority investor.

The startup that was founded a year ago has developed a platform for booking and marketing air cargo capacity. Through its focus on offering dynamic spot rates and enabling their booking, cargo.one is the first platform of its kind.

“Our customers’ overall experience is now strongly improved by being able to more efficiently book air cargo capacity,” said Peter Gerber, CEO and chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo.

“The investment in our technology signals to our customers that cargo.one is a strong partner with which to join forces to drive air cargo digitisation. Air cargo capacity worldwide can be made available online through our innovative distribution technology. Accordingly, we want to grow to become a global leader,” said Moritz Claussen, cargo.one founder.

Lufthansa Cargo already invested in a technology startup – Fleet Logistics – based in Portland, USA, back in early 2018. Founded in 2014, Fleet Logistics acts as an online marketplace, matching customer demand for cargo services with free capacity provided by logistics companies.

Lufthansa Cargo has also been cooperating since February 2018 in the role of anchor partner with technology accelerator Plug and Play based in Sunnyvale, USA. They combine their efforts within the supply chain and logistics platform, which is focused on supply chain startups, to further develop and quickly implement new digital solutions. The programme provides an opportunity for logistics players to network with and learn from each other, exchange ideas and drive digitisation.

“The close cooperation between Lufthansa Cargo and technology startups melds comprehensive air cargo experience with a technology-driven, fresh view of global logistics processes,” said Boris Hueske, head of Digital Transformation at Lufthansa Cargo.

“By acquiring a share in cargo.one and Fleet Logistics, Lufthansa Cargo is emphasising its strategic commitment to elevating the air cargo industry to a higher level of digital maturity,” said Hueske.