Lufthansa Cargo completed the merger of two subsidiaries to form GlobeCross GmbH on 6 May 2026. The new entity brings together heyworld’s digital eCommerce capabilities and CB Customs Broker’s two decades of certified customs processing experience.
The Frankfurt Airport-based subsidiary operates as a wholly-owned unit of Lufthansa Cargo. Managing Directors Nikola Todic and Murat Odabas lead the new business.
Three Core Service Pillars
GlobeCross structures its offering around end-to-end eCommerce logistics, eCommerce import terminals and digital customs clearance. The business model remains asset-light, focusing on software development, process optimisation and regulatory expertise rather than physical infrastructure.
Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, positioned the move as a strategic expansion beyond airport-to-airport (A2A) transport. “We are significantly expanding our cross-border logistics capabilities and taking a decisive step in offering our customers solutions beyond traditional airport-to-airport transportations,” Bhat said.
The integration creates a single platform for cross-border parcel logistics. Customers previously managing separate relationships with heyworld and CB Customs Broker now access combined services through one interface.
Continuity for Existing Customers
All existing contracts, contacts and services from both heyworld and CB Customs Broker remain in place. Daily operations continue unchanged during the transition period.
Nikola Todic explained the operational advantage: “By combining eCommerce logistics with customs expertise into one integrated solution, we eliminate interfaces, reduce delays at borders and enable scalable, end-to-end execution from origin to door.”
Murat Odabas emphasised the regulatory compliance angle. “By organising information flows and embedding regulatory requirements into our software and solutions, we reduce complexity, minimise delays at borders and remove friction from cross-border logistics,” he noted.
Lufthansa Cargo Network Scale
Lufthansa Cargo operates five cargo hubs across Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Vienna and Rome. The carrier’s network covers 350 destinations in over 100 countries.
The fleet includes 18 Boeing 777F and four Airbus A321F dedicated freighters. Transport performance reached 9.1 billion freight tonne-kilometres in 2025, moving an average 2,500 tonnes daily.
Around 300 trucks operate daily under Lufthansa Cargo flight numbers. The carrier employs approximately 4,300 staff worldwide.
Strategic Context
GlobeCross represents Lufthansa Cargo’s push into door-to-door (D2D) services and digital customs solutions. The move addresses growing eCommerce volumes and increasingly complex cross-border compliance requirements.
By merging two existing subsidiaries rather than building from scratch, Lufthansa Cargo preserves customer relationships whilst creating operational efficiencies. The asset-light model allows rapid scaling without heavy capital investment in warehouses or transport equipment.
Industry Perspective
Major carriers continue investing in digital customs and door-to-door capabilities as eCommerce reshapes air cargo. Traditional airport-to-airport models leave revenue on the table when forwarders handle first-mile and last-mile logistics separately.
Integrating customs processing with transport creates competitive advantage. Delays at borders destroy service levels and add cost. Software that embeds regulatory requirements directly into booking flows reduces friction and speeds clearance.
For smaller forwarders competing with integrated carriers, access to efficient cross-border tools becomes critical. Platforms offering instant rate comparison across multiple carriers and service types help independents match the speed and scope of larger competitors without equivalent infrastructure investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was GlobeCross officially established?
GlobeCross GmbH was officially formed on 6 May 2026 through the merger of heyworld GmbH and CB Customs Broker GmbH. Lufthansa Cargo announced the new subsidiary on 7 May 2026.
What services does GlobeCross provide?
GlobeCross offers three core services: end-to-end eCommerce logistics, eCommerce import terminals and digital customs clearance. The company combines digital logistics platforms with over 20 years of certified customs expertise in an asset-light business model.
Will existing customers experience service disruptions?
No. All existing contracts, contacts and services from heyworld and CB Customs Broker remain unchanged. Customers continue working with familiar teams whilst benefiting from the integrated structure and combined capabilities of the merged entity.
Who leads GlobeCross?
Nikola Todic and Murat Odabas serve as Managing Directors of GlobeCross GmbH. The subsidiary operates as a wholly-owned unit of Lufthansa Cargo and is headquartered at Frankfurt Airport.
How does GlobeCross fit into Lufthansa Cargo’s broader network?
GlobeCross extends Lufthansa Cargo’s capabilities beyond traditional airport-to-airport transport. It complements the carrier’s five European hubs and 350-destination network by providing integrated cross-border logistics and customs clearance for eCommerce and parcel shipments.
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