Lufthansa Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) have launched paperless corridors for shipments between Europe and Asia as part of efforts to digitalize cargo.
In a pilot phase, the two partners achieved 100% paperless shipments for general cargo on the lane between Germany and Hong Kong.
This includes the use of electronic air waybills and other accompanying documents and paper pouches. In the next phase more lanes will be targeted.
“By increasing the number of paperless lanes, a whole paperless corridor between Europe and Asia will be built for general cargo where the transport of paper could be eliminated,” Lufthansa Cargo said.
The two companies said that paperless shipments were more environmentally friendly and created operational efficiency.
Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, vice president global fulfillment management, Lufthansa Cargo, said: “We see great opportunities in this initiative as it supports all participants in pushing their handling efficiencies as well as increasing data availability and transparency throughout their network.
“The transition to a paperless environment will significantly reduce processing times plus complexity and offers just-in-time shipment status information.
“However, it will only be a first step towards a fully digitalized airfreight future; especially accompanying documentation of special cargo will come into our focus soon enough.”
Kolja Mahler-Wingen, vice president air logistics operations Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, added: “In addition to the positive effect of paperless handling, which primarily saves time and gains efficiency, a purely digitally supported process also offers further potential for automation in order to reach the best possible transparency and data quality for our customers around the globe.”
Qatar Airways Cargo has implemented PROS’ Smart Price Optimization and Management solution to offer customers real-time pricing on its booking platform.
The real-time pricing engine offers immediate online booking confirmation and personalized pricing using artificial intelligence on the cargo airline’s Digital Lounge platform.
Customers can price and book cargo shipments without the need to call or email the sales team directly, the airline said.
The PROS solution will also connect with online booking portals where the carrier offers its services, such as WebCargo, CargoAi and cargo.one.
“PROS real-time pricing engine provides a highly accurate, scalable pricing capability that directly translates to a reliable and responsive buying experience for our customers,” said Florent Bonello, vice president cargo revenue management at Qatar Airways Cargo.
“As a next phase of our implementation, we are seamlessly integrating PROS Smart Configure Price Quote within our sales ecosystem, so that we can quickly manage and deliver omnichannel quoting across our spot, contract and allotment sales.”
Freighter operator Amerijet International has selected Quantum-South to provide aircraft load optimization technology to ensure aircraft are fully utilized.
Quantum-South’s solution helps to optimize container placement to maximize transported weight, volume, priority mix, or revenue mix, with a focus on Center of Gravity (CoG) optimization.
Another module selects shipments for each flight to optimize the booked priority, with container assignment and instructions on how to build the container, such as the location and order of placement for each piece in the shipment.
During a proof of concept project, Quantum-South said that it examined data from 451 flights and identified loading alternatives that increased payload by up to 30% and volume by up to 76%.
Amerijet International chief commercial officer Eric Wilson said: “This substantial enhancement in cargo load factor can greatly enhance revenue per flight and increase opportunities for customers through more efficient use of capacity.”
He added: “Optimizing flight load plans and augmenting process efficiency helps us provide the best capacity offering to our customers while maximizing the load of every flight.”
Quantum-South co-founder & president Rafael Sotelo added: “We are excited to continue working with Amerijet International and uncover more optimization opportunities to further enhance operations.”
Miami-based Amerijet currently operates a fleet of 23 aircraft – 17 B767Fs and six B757s.
Late last year, chief executive Tim Strauss said the airline was hoping to expand its fleet from 22 to 27 aircraft this year, with five B767s due to join in 2023.
Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has partnered with Alpha Augmented Services (AAS) to integrate AI-supported software into its products.
The global logistics provider will use AAS’ AI-supported software solution and integrate it into its product range for both potential and existing customers.
As part of the partnership, SGL said customers will, in the future, can reduce their logistics costs and carbon emissions through AI-enabled loading and packaging optimization.
Massimo Rossetti, chief executive of Alpha Augmented Services, said: “The partnership with Scan Global Logistics is another milestone in the market penetration of our product. We are delighted to be working with such a strong, global and fast-growing partner. We complement each other ideally, as SGL not only covers all transport routes and modes but also the supply chains.
“This is also the approach of our AI-based solution. Together we can enable customers all over the world to further optimize their entire supply chain, which combines ecological and economic advantages in an excellent way.”
Mads Drejer, global chief operating officer and chief commercial officer at SGL, said: “With the Alpha Augmented Services solution, we can further expand our service and product offering to all customers across the globe. This solution can be integrated quickly and smoothly into existing processes and because it is a SaaS model, does not require any material initial investments.
“The economic ROI is significant, and our customers know while carbon emissions are reduced immediately. Cost savings and sustainability go hand in hand as we see it, and loading and packaging optimization is an area that we believe deserves more attention from all parties across the supply chain.”
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) has partnered with Salesforce and Vonage to implement a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution and improve customer services.
By implementing the new single-platform CRM solution, integrated with a contact center solution, AFKLMP Cargo aims to streamline customer processes and provide faster, better service by phone and digital channels, with more tailored support.
Using technology from Salesforce and Vonage, customer service teams get a full 360-degree view of customers, allowing them to personalize interactions and provide tailored support across all channels.
The full solution includes integrated telephony and AI-driven insights designed for an improved omnichannel service experience.
By analyzing data on customer preferences, shipping patterns and feedback, AFKLMP Cargo can further optimize its service. The next step will be to explore the potential of generative AI to support service agents.
GertJan Roelands, senior vice president commercial at AFKLMP Cargo, said: “Our decision to invest in a new state-of-the-art CRM and contact center solutions is a key development and an important building block of our overall commercial transformation, which we started in 2020.
“On top of the technological advantages and possibilities, our customers will continue to benefit from our highly experienced and specialized customer service teams at over 60 offices worldwide, connecting them through our new CRM platform.
“This will help optimize time-to-market and improve overall service levels. All this fits in within our commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable airfreight, while passionately delivering best-in-class customer experiences.”
Cargonerds is partnering with WebCargo by Freightos to help small and medium-sized freight forwarders process airfreight rates digitally.
The collaboration enables freight forwarders to process airfreight faster and more efficiently, the partners said.
The WebCargo platform is connected to the cargonerds systems with a standard interface. This allows small and medium-sized forwarders to process enquiries in real time, generate quotes for shippers and display them in their own customer portals.
“The cooperation of cargonerds with WebCargo by Freightos is a win-win for all parties involved,” explained Conrad Franchi, managing director of cargonerds. “There are no implementation costs and cargonerds customers additionally enjoy attractive conditions when taking out or upgrading their WebCargo license,” he added.
As a provider of plug-and-play software solutions, cargonerds aims to offer small and medium-sized air and ocean freight forwarders a solution for quoting, booking, tracking and reporting.
Most recently, the SaaS provider announced a collaboration with FourKites for supply chain visibility.
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) is introducing robot patrols at its SuperTerminal 1 facility in a bid to improve security.
The first security robot is about to enter service, initially patrolling car and truck parking areas, and export goods handling areas.
The robot will operate mainly during the peak night time, but it will also be deployed during daylight hours as required.
In addition to stepping up anti-theft measures and reinforcing awareness of Hactl’s security program, the new security robots will also monitor the condition of cargo onsite, and will record any incidents of damage, to provide video evidence in the event of claims investigations.
The robot features a thermal imaging camera, a high-resolution camera with a wiper for outdoor use, a LiDar technology sensor for navigation and multiple ultrasonic sensors for collision avoidance. It can operate on any paved surface.
Wilson Kwong, chief executive of Hactl, said: “The security robots will complement our existing CCTV system, providing footage from more angles to assist in security and cargo claims evaluation. Their presence will also send a clear message that Hactl is maintaining thorough observation of all its operational areas around the clock.
“By reducing reliance on human patrols, we are freeing up valuable night shift security staff resources to focus on making our security regime even more proactive, flexible and responsive to any incidents. This is a significant step forward in strengthening our overall security program.”
This is the third area of Hactl’s business which has seen the introduction of robotics. During the pandemic, Hactl introduced sanitization robots to help reduce the risk of infection among its workforce, and more recently launched a robotic Automated Parts Store to dispense urgent spare parts 24/7 to maintain its automated handling systems.
Online logistics automation platform Raft has raised $30m to be used to develop new services and solutions.
The series B funding round was led by global VC investor Eight Roads with participation from existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Episode 1, and Dynamo Ventures, as well as Moguntia Capital.
The capital infusion will be used to develop and deploy automation products, improve data collaboration — including emissions and visibility data — and extend Raft’s market reach.
James Coombes, chief executive and co-founder, said: “We’ve always been clear about focusing on specific parts of the shipment lifecycle where automation has the highest return on investment.
“We recognized early on the pain points around accounts payable reconciliation and customs entry preparation, and we’ve since grown the product to help automate areas such as warehousing, booking confirmations, and more.
“We quickly understood that our customers don’t want separate solutions for each of these areas, they want one AI-platform that offers best-in-class automation across the length and breadth of their business.”
Raft helps forwarders apply AI to their data operations and customer interactions.
Quantum computing software company Quantum-South has launched advanced versions of its air cargo optimization solutions.
The air cargo optimization software developed by Quantum-South uses quantum algorithms with the aim of enabling air cargo companies to maximize loading efficiency in operations, increase profitability, and reduce costs.
The software intelligently considers factors such as maximum weight and length, center of gravity, shear, and the shape of the fuselage, ensuring compliance with all necessary restrictions.
Unit load device and pallet load optimization is one of the focus areas for the company. The software optimizes the cargo build-up process using precise dimensions and weight obtained at acceptance, resulting in an efficient utilization of cargo space and maximizing certain business rules like the priority of packages to be transported, said Quantum-South.
Aircraft load optimization is another issue tackled by the software, which is designed to intelligently optimize the aircraft load to ensure optimal utilization of resources, enhance operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
Quantum-South’s software also addresses fuel consumption by optimizing the location of the center of mass (on the aircraft), which aims to result in cost savings and environmental benefits.
Rafael Sotelo, president and co-founder of Quantum-South, commented: “We are excited to introduce our enhanced air cargo optimization solutions powered by quantum inspired algorithms. With our innovative approach, we aim to transform the air cargo industry by helping companies increase revenues, reduce costs, and achieve operational excellence.”
Software as a Service (SaaS) provider Topo has joined US national trade organization the AAFA as part of its strategy to drive more sustainable practices across the supply chain.
As the newest member to join AAFA, Topo hopes to advance the association’s Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) goals, and supply chain initiatives by leveraging the support and expert knowledge of AAFA’s community of industry veterans.
Topo is a digital cloud-based, SaaS provider that covers a product’s end-to-end journey from sourcing, product development, ordering, and production, to quality, compliance, and sustainability management.
AAFA drives progress on three key priorities: Brand Protection; Supply Chain & Sourcing; Trade, Logistics, & Manufacturing. AAFA approaches this work through the lens of purpose-driven leadership in a manner that supports each member’s ability to build and sustain inclusive and diverse cultures, meet and advance ESG goals, and draw upon the latest technology.
As an AAFA member, Topo will gain access to information and exclusive insights on regulations and policy, networking and collaboration opportunities, best-in-class research and statistics important to the retail community.
“Joining AAFA has been an important objective for us as a company as it represents the industry benchmark for driving ethical commitments and choices, a mission that ties in with the core of what we strive for at Topo,” said Benjamin Eberle, Chief Executive Officer, Topo.
AAFA is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management, and shareholders, its three million US workers, and its contribution of over USD 470 billion in annual US retail sales.
“AAFA is continually on the look-out for innovative companies that are leaders in technology for global supply chain and sourcing, such as Topo, that we can support but also equally learn from,” said Steve Lamar, President and CEO, AAFA.
“We look forward to welcoming them as members and working towards our shared vision together.”
Topo, headquartered in Hong Kong, expanded their operations last September by opening its first US base in Los Angeles, headed by its founder and CEO Benjamin Eberle, with Stefanie Valerio as its Customer Success Lead, to better serve its global customer base.
Last year, the low-code digital platform partnered with global trade association amfori BSCI to provide added transparency in the supply chain, making ethical and social choices readily available for stakeholders.
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