E-FREIGHT
e-AWB penetration rate climbs 0.2% in June, IATA says
T
he latest electronic air waybill (e-AWB) report for June by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has found the e-AWB penetration rate in the air cargo industry was 39.2 per cent. This was a slight 0.2 per cent rise on May, but is still 16.8 per cent below the e-AWB penetration target for December 2016 and it looks likely this objective will not be achieved, unless there is a significant late surge. The total volume of e-AWBs was 593,022 shipments, which was in countries where the e-AWB is legally feasible. IATA says there are still a number of countries that are not open for e-AWBs, which is holding back the penetration rates across the globe, but the rate has been steadily improving. In July 2015, the penetration rate was at 29 per cent, meaning in the last 12 months it has risen by 10.2 per cent, although the margin of increase has slowed in recent months. By country of origin ranking by e-AWB volume, the US has a penetration rate of 36.2 per cent, and the rest of the top five includes Hong Kong with 66.5 per cent, China 38.3 per cent, Singapore 67.4 per cent and India 52.9 per cent.
Call for development of cargo fast-lanes
THE penetration rate of the electronic air waybill (e-AWB) is “never fast enough” but is steadily on the rise - in the view of Worldwide Information Network (WIN) managing director, John DeBenedette (pictured). He thinks adoption can be improved by developing ‘fast-lanes’ at the ground handlers’ warehouse for cargo tendered with electronic data in advance, and if more airlines can use the ‘Single Process’ so forwarders don’t have to keep track of which lanes can go paperless. But DeBenedette feels there is still “complacency” in parts of the supply chain and barriers to ditching the paper airwaybill, but generally air cargo is heading in the right direction, while feels there are only benefits to the e-AWB: “Generally speaking it is more cost-effective to go e-AWB and there is always complexity in implementing new processes. Some operators deal better with process change and so we see leaders and laggards.” He believes in 2016 most people understand the benefits of accurate and timely computerised information rather than a piece of paper which is covered in “scribble and stamps”. DeBenedette says: “By making the leap to e-AWB our users enjoy cost reductions, fewer errors and delays, but most importantly improved shipment visibility meaning they and their customers are better informed.” He does not feel air cargo is falling behind other modes in the digital race, and says there are of course variations, but ocean shipping is facing the same challenges and slow progress in digitising booking and documentation processes. WIN has launched a new mobile application platform for independent freight
For airports ranking by volume, Hong Kong had a penetration rate of 66.5 per cent, next was Shanghai Pudong with 40.5 per cent, Changi Airport at 67.4 per cent, Incheon at 45.1 per cent and Dubai continues to have the highest rate at 91.4 per cent. As for airlines ranking by volume, Cathay Pacific was at 70.9 per cent, Air France KLM Martinair 50.8 per cent, Emirates 33.3 per cent, Singapore Airlines 58.9 per cent and Korean Air 45 per cent. By e-AWB penetration flydubai is the only carrier with 100 per cent, followed by FedEx with 70.9 per cent, Cathay Pacific the 70.9 per cent, Kenya Airways 70.1 per cent and SriLankan Airlines 66.2 per cent. The top five freight forwarders ranking by e-AWB volume are DHL Global Forwarding with 48.1 per cent, Schenker 54.1 per cent, Panalpina 57.2 per cent, Expeditors 57 per cent and UPS 55.7 per cent. By e-AWB penetration DHL Express had a penetration rate of 66.3 per cent, Panalpina 57.2 per cent, Expeditors 57 per cent, UPS 55.7 per cent and Schenker 54.1 per cent.
forwarders and DeBenedette says it will benefit them greatly: “Forwarders use WIN’s online apps and many connect their systems to WIN in order work with carriers and other forwarders electronically, gaining real-time shipment visibility, cost-savings and efficiency in the process. “Now they can extend those same benefits to their customers, multiplying the value of their transactions in WIN.” The app features real-time track and trace, an interactive agent directory, instant messaging, route checking, and shipment status tools allowing users to track and update status on any shipment including proofs of delivery or pictures of damaged cargo. DeBenedette says WIN is well placed: “Our modern web-services approach to collaboration not only powers our mobile platform, but also our integrations with leading software providers serving the international cargo and logistics industry. We are leveraging that same infrastructure to pilot crowd-sourced first and last mile provider options to expand the network further.”
aircargoweek.com
ACW 8 august 2016
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