Global Logistics Services Inc. (GLS) has partnered with National Aviation Services (NAS), the fastest aviation services provider in the emerging markets to form a joint venture company, GLS – NAS JV. The GLS – NAS JV will manage a 25-year air cargo operations concession awarded to GLS by the Government of Liberia.

NAS will contribute international cargo handling expertise to the JV and GLS will maintain local logistics and support. The JV will support human and operating capacity development in the aviation service sector to boost Liberia’s air cargo supply chain capabilities.

Under the terms of the agreement, GLS - NAS will design, finance, build, maintain, operate and transfer (DFBMOT) a new, modern cargo facility at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Monrovia. This new facility will improve RIA’s air cargo operations to meet international standards and support export supply chain capacity in the country.

The new storage facility will cover a ground area of approximately 2,700 sqm. Other equipment improvements, including upgrades to current operating systems and capacity as well as certifications and capabilities to handle all forms of cargo under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) scope, will be also be made. As a part of the developments, the cargo facility will also be expanded to handle more than 8,500 metric tons per year. This is almost triple the current cargo throughput and five times its existing capacity.

Hassan El-Houry, Group Chief Executive Officer of NAS said “The Roberts International Airport in Monrovia is currently served by seven airlines including Air Côte d’Ivoire, Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Royal Air Maroc. The new facility developed by the NAS – GLS JV will provide the much needed infrastructure to enhance air cargo supply chain operations, help improve trade barriers and boost Liberia’s potential as a hub in the Mano River subregion.”

Once completed in 2019, the facility will also be equipped to handle special cargo, such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, minerals, vulnerable goods, dangerous goods and hazardous materials. The facility will also have a dedicated freighter parking to support time efficient operations.

Peter Malcolm King, Chief Executive Officer of GLS said: “The partnership with NAS headlines the GLS commitment to delivering world class cargo operations to the RIA and creates the necessary stimulus to improve airfreight supply chain into Liberia. We expect the JV company as concession operators, to drive efficiency, eliminate delays and bottlenecks in the clearing process, and have an overall effect in lowering production and transaction costs in Liberia. We are fully committed to ensuring RIA benefit from the unique service offerings that will be introduce at the RIA”.