Program to reinforceSchiphol as a smart hub gains momentum, with University and Government backing, a successful pilot scheme leading to new services, and new backing from partner Fresco Flowers

Schiphol Cargo will back further projects as part of its Smart Cargo Mainport Program, aimed at finding innovative schemes to improve cargo flow through the Amsterdam hub, underpinned by transparent data exchange.

The programme which has a steering committee including Schiphol Cargo as Chair, KLM Cargo, Dutch Customs, and Cargonaut, has already attracted €375,000 of Dutch Government funding, participation from leading companies in the airport community, and the backing of the University of Delft and Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

A pilot scheme is currently underway, bringing together all sectors of the supply chain to work collaboratively towards improved services through the hub, and the newly formed Holland Flower Alliance’s data transfer initiative, which has brought Royal FloraHolland on board, is one of the first to successfully consider and implement Smart Mainport Program elements in its operations.

“The strategic Royal FloraHolland program FLOW aims at increasing margins for our stakeholders and reducing costs in the supply chain with at least 15 per cent cooperation and the integration of IT systems is essential to do that,” said Edwin Wenink, programme director, FLOW Royal FloraHolland.

The Smart Program projects centre on cargo flows, encouraging cooperation between the different parties in the supply chain, as well as data sharing. “This is a tangible innovation push for members of the Schiphol cargo community, aimed at realising efficiencies, reducing costs, and enhancing services,” said Jonas van Stekelenburg, head of cargo, Schiphol Cargo.

“The community is putting in the effort, with companies willing to take risks and spend resources, and we are seeing results. The insight and learning we are gaining from the Program is open to all Schiphol cargo community members and we are seeking more projects and asking for more innovative ideas.”

Last month, KLM Cargo embarked on a pilot scheme aimed at speeding up and enhancing the efficiency of European supply chains bringing cargo to Schiphol for subsequent international shipment.

The pilot, which kicked off on the route from Frankfurt, Germany, is operated by a consortium which brings together all sectors of the supply chain and includes Schiphol Cargo, Jan de Rijk Logistics, Swissport, Kuehne+Nagel, importer Fresco Flowers, Cargonaut, and Dutch Customs.

Under the scheme, a distinction has been drawn between shipments with shorter connecting times and those with less time pressure, and a new schedule is being trialled. The schedule marks the first step towards setting up a Cloud platform facilitating data exchange amongst the cooperating parties. Once data has been delivered in real-time it can be reused, supplemented or modified where necessary.

The information is also automatically verified against the applicable Customs regulations and safety standards. Not only will this support the exchange of administrative data, it will also facilitate the exchange of status information relating to the shipments.

“We constantly have to deliver value in the hyper-competitive airfreight market,” said Marcel de Nooijer, EVP KLM Cargo & MD Martinair Holland. “In the ideal supply chain it is all about co-operation and optimisation of the movement of shipments, both in the air as well as on the ground. Therefore transparency and access to data through digitisation is key,” he said.

“The Smart Mainport Program is all about that; to ensure maximum value to our customers and strengthening the ground processes with all stakeholders. That is the power of innovative co-operation.”

The information is also automatically verified against the applicable Customs regulations and safety standards. Not only will this support the exchange of administrative data, it will also facilitate the exchange of status information relating to the shipments.

“The Smart Cargo Mainport Program (SCMP) is ‘the’ Dutch partnership of frontrunners to realise our vision of the smartest cargo airport,” said Nanne Onland, executive director, Cargonaut. “It is about facilitating the design and delivery of data driven predictable and compliant air cargo processes. It is not about the Cloud, it is about what we do with it,” he added.

At the heart of the programme is the question of how to effectively implement a ‘long term vision, short term results’ vision; a blueprint has been developed by the team outlining where the project aims to be by 2025 at the same time as establishing numerous shorter term pilots with airport stakeholders.

The Smart Cargo Mainport Program, which is run by Teunis Steenbeek, is expected to attract further Dutch Government Funding.