CCS-UK User Group – the not-for-profit body which represents users of the UK’s CCS-UK air cargo community data system – is hosting a series of seminars to showcase its solution for streamlining collections and deliveries of airfreight at Heathrow’s cargo terminal.

 

Advance Information System (AIS) is a bolt-on module for CCS-UK that has been in full operational use for over a year among a cross-section of airfreight agents and hauliers, and a major cargo handler. The system has dramatically reduced the time taken to process trucks either delivering or collecting cargo. CCS-UK User Group believes AIS is an effective, no-cost solution for reducing truck queuing times at Heathrow’s congested “Horseshoe”, where agents’ vehicles can be tied up for up to 12 hours at peak times.

 

AIS enables freight agents to pre-alert handling agents of loads being delivered and picked up, down to House AWB level, as well as submit Electronic Consignment Security Declarations (e-CSD). This advance information – including vehicle, driver, cargo being delivered, handling agent and ETA – can be submitted either through a web portal or messages sent direct from the forwarder’s own system. The information is then accessible to all relevant parties in the supply chain.

 

By receiving this information electronically in advance, handlers can populate their systems with the shipment information, reducing paperwork and delays on arrival of the truck, and eradicating re-keying errors. By obtaining advance warning of cargo en route, handlers can also anticipate workloads, schedule resources, and allocate handling slots for the trucks. This will help to reduce the number of vehicles on the cargo terminal, and cut queue times.

 

The first AIS seminars will be held on Tuesday July 16 at Heathrow’s Stanwell Hall Hotel, at 10:30 and 14:30, featuring a full demo of the system and the opportunity to ask questions, followed by refreshments. Places are limited, and can be booked by contacting Guy Thompson.