Cargobase, an online platform for ad hoc freight, has announced the addition of ocean freight as an available freight mode that can be procured and managed through its platform. This is in addition to the five other freight modes Cargobase supports: aircraft charters, on-board-couriers, next-flight-out, regular air freight and road freight.

The rise of 3D printing doesn't spell serious trouble for mass-production, but spare-parts logistics may potentially transform the supply chain, according to the latest DHL trend report: "3D Printing and the Future of Supply Chains." Instead, the DHL study said it anticipates that 3D printing will fulfill a "complementary" role to manufacturing, as it grows to an estimated $490bn by 2025.

Shipping and logistics provider DHL Express says it's continuing an investment plan for the United States and the Americas of $185m. The investment earmarked for 2016 and 2017 is focused on infrastructure, technology and people - creating some 900 new jobs in 2016.

E-commerce has been the dominant force for change in the air cargo logistics business for the last several years, but online retailers, forwarders, carriers and integrators say they are still struggling with ways to keep up with the intense demand from international customers to deliver them the world instantly. This was the main theme of the plenary session, "Cross-border E-Commerce: Who Will Rule the Game?", at last week's Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC) in Hong Kong.