Cargo iQ and European Shippers’ Council develop a framework to measure door-to-door air cargo service performance

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(L-R): Jean Michel Garcia, A.U.T.F. Association des Utilisateurs de Transport de Fret, Katsiaryna Kliuyeva, ESC, Martin Skopp, Riege Software, Rinaldo Vels, Wholesale by Vels, Paul Glaser, Cargomind, Claus Schaeffer, Kuehne and Nagel, Marie Seco-Koeppen, Cargo iQ, Christian Meyer, DHL Global Forwarding, Jeanne Mari Reardon, Crane Worldwide, Rutger-Jan Pegels, AirFrance KLM Martinair Cargo, Scipio Bredius, ASML, Franco Nanna, Cargolux Airlines, Markus Schweitzer, Im3pact

Cargo iQ and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) have developed a new framework to measure door-to-door air cargo service performance, bringing shippers into Cargo iQ’s established performance measurement process.

The framework lays out door-to-door business scenarios, delineating service scopes and responsibilities, including milestones for handing over cargo, documents, and data to support planning, exception management, and performance measurement.

“Involving shippers more closely in Cargo iQ was long overdue. It is essential to align on expectations and agree on common principles to ensure our performance standard evolves to become valuable for a broader audience”, said Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director, Cargo iQ.

The blueprint was created last week at the latest in a series of joint workshops held by Cargo iQ and ESC since September 2025.

This is planned to be reviewed with a larger audience in the coming months and integrated into the Master Operating Plan.

The initiative extends Cargo iQ’s established collaboration between freight forwarders, airlines, and ground handlers to cargo owners, helping ensure service performance measures reflect the needs of the ultimate customer.

“This workshop marks an important step towards strengthening collaboration across the air cargo ecosystem, bringing together carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and shippers,” said Godfried Smit, Secretary General, European Shippers’ Council.

“In today’s highly dynamic air freight market, ensuring that goods reach their destinations efficiently and cost-effectively is essential. Supply chain visibility is a critical enabler of that ambition.

“The Cargo iQ initiative plays a key role in establishing a strong benchmark for transparency, efficiency, and seamless collaboration across the industry.

“By building on the momentum of this workshop and turning our shared commitment into lasting cooperation, we can create a powerful, collaborative model that delivers sustainable value and a competitive advantage for all stakeholders.”

The Cargo iQ membership carries the mindset that visibility is not the destination, but a means to better actions, reactions, and decision-making.

The collaboration will help shippers and freight forwarders use performance data to identify problems and take action to improve the transport process.

Cargo iQ and ESC will continue their work to ensure the existing standard addresses different commodity needs, incorporating initiatives such as ONE Record and care protocols to improve the shipper experience.