Hong Kong to host World Cargo Symposium in March 2024

Hong Kong will be the stage for next year’s annual World Cargo Symposium, IATA announced during the closing of the event’s 2023 edition, held in Istanbul. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) will be the host airport, whilst Cathay Pacific will be the host airline for the 2024 edition of IATA’s WCS, which is scheduled for 12 to 14 March at AsiaWorld-Expo.

The annual IATA meeting is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees from around the world, including together airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers and regulators to discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities. The event features plenary sessions, specialised streams, workshops and executive summits, tackling aspects related to technology and innovation, security

Talking about digitalisation and automation, IATA outlined three priorities for the ground handling sector: ramp digitalisation, load control digitalisation, and ground support equipment automation.

IATA’s Ground Operations

Digitalisation and Automation and customs, cargo operations, and sustainability.

Working Group has developed the timestamps turnaround (XTST) message to provide standardised communication and real-time network monitoring for airlines. Implementing the standard can reduce ground handling delays by up to 5 percent globally. The group is also pioneering load control automation by utilising the new 565 digital standard to reduce workload, costs, and errors while enabling real-time updates.

IATA is also pushing for the transition to enhanced ground support equipment. The trade group said trials on autonomous ground support equipment are already underway in over 15 countries. This industry move can potentially reduce ground damage costs by 42 percent, create a safe working environment and cut emissions by 1.8 million tonnes annually.

At the recent World Cargo Symposium in Istanbul, IATA reiterated that the priorities for air cargo remain the same against the backdrop of a challenging operating environment. “As we navigate the current situation, air cargo’s priorities have not changed, we need to continue to focus on sustainability, digitalization, and safety,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

With supply chains relying on air cargo’s efficiency, the group highlighted the potential of digitalisation and outlined three goals. These include 100 percent airline capability of ONE Record by January 2026, which will replace the many data standards used for transport documents with a single record for every shipment; ensuring digital standards for tracking devices; and ensuring compliance and support for customs, trade facilitation and other government processes that are increasingly being digitalised.