Two major Hong Kong airfreight forwarders have completed a successful trial to produce electronic air waybills (e-AWB) using Hactl’s COSAC-AWB facility.
BEL International Logistics Ltd and Rhenus Logistics Hong Kong Ltd are now ready to generate IATA-standard e-AWB for any carrier handled by Hactl that accepts electronic bookings, having demonstrated their ability to input data correctly through COSAC-AWB, for subsequent verification by Hactl.
The successful adoption of the COSAC-AWB system by the two agents could prove a major step forward in e-Freight through Hong Kong, as Hactl handles 100 airlines and transacts business with around 1,000 freight forwarders in Hong Kong and China.
COSAC-AWB is a web-based e-AWB generation module, and one of the key features of Hactl’s major new cargo management system, COSAC-Plus, launched in 2012 – after three years’ development and an investment of US$30 million. COSAC-AWB complies with the IATA e-AWB protocol, removing the need to print, handle or archive paper AWBs.
COSAC-AWB has recently been upgraded to accommodate co-loading – an important factor in Hong Kong due to the large volume of such traffic. This enhancement had to be driven in Hong Kong by Hactl and a local e-AWB working group, as it is not currently fully-defined by IATA.
Says Edward Tay, general manager – Airfreight of BEL International Logistics: “As a major forwarder from Hong Kong to Europe and the USA, we recognise our responsibility to drive the e-AWB concept as a stepping stone to full e-Freight.” Adds Andre Delarue, general manager Hong Kong & South China of Rhenus Logistics: “The e-AWB is more efficient, more environmentally-friendly and maintains greater accuracy. Using Hactl COSAC-AWB will enhance our customer service standards.”
The e-Freight project, of which e-AWB is a key element, aims to take paper out of air cargo and replace it with the exchange of electronic data and messages. Initiated by IATA, the project has become an industry-wide movement involving carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, customs brokers and customs authorities. The air waybill is the most important transportation document in air cargo, and the e-AWB – now a legally-recognised document throughout the world – is therefore the first step to realising the e-freight vision.
Full adoption of the e-AWB concept is still being held back globally, however, by the reluctance of some agents to invest in a system which they believe mostly benefits carriers. Says Cindy Ng, executive director of Hactl: “The e-AWB reduces operational costs both for airlines and forwarders. It speeds air freight shipments by reducing processing, and eliminating data re-keying errors and delays due to lost air waybills. E-AWB is now integrated into the Customs procedures in many major markets, assisting in security compliance and streamlining inspections.”
“COSAC-AWB provides an additional means of agents inputting electronic air waybills, without any changes to their internal systems or practices. For the large number of SME agents in Hong Kong and China feeding their traffic through Hactl, COSAC-AWB is an opportunity to experience all the benefits of e-AWB, and we believe it will lead to greater take-up. We applaud Rhenus and BEL for their pioneering collaboration on this important initiative.”
