WEEKLY NEWS


DRIVING DIGITAL ADOPTION


BY Edward HARDY 02


WHILE technological adoption has historically lagged in the airfreight industry, the need for digitalisation is now undeniable, with a wave of change rippling through the industry as stakeholders increasingly recognise the efficiencies and competitive advantages offered by digital tools. Across the supply chain, companies are forging partnerships with


digital-focused providers to meet growing customer demands for streamlined digital processes and the integration of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies has shifted amid a cultural shift within organisations. “Over the past few years, we've built a valuable asset by integrating


and cooperating with numerous partners,” Moritz Claussen, co-founder and co-CEO of cargo.one, outlined. “These live connections have been a major


focus, enabling real-


time capacity procurement with instant confirmation. For the last 18 months, we've also heavily invested in advanced rate procurement and management systems tailored for freight forwarders. “These systems allow forwarders to manage buy rates, convert them


into sell rates, and share accurate quotations with shippers quickly. Speed and accuracy in quoting significantly improve the chances of winning business, and that's the core of our mission.”


Efficient operations By leveraging integrations, freight forwarders can now generate door-to- door quotes in real time. This transformation addresses the rising demand for end-to-end visibility and efficiency from shippers, especially in ad hoc back-to-back processes. To meet


these demands, forwarders must digitalise backend


functions—pricing, margin calculation, and rate management—to serve their customers faster and better. “AI plays a transformative role in managing and understanding vast


amounts of data. By converting unstructured data from emails or calls into structured formats, we enable freight forwarders to manage rates and costs more effectively,” Claussen expressed. “Beyond that, conversational AI models are revolutionising interactions,


freeing up human resources to focus on strategic, relationship-driven tasks rather than transactional duties. This shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates more fulfilling roles for employees, addressing talent shortages across the industry.”


Moving forward together The prevailing strategy now focuses on creating coalitions of willing partners to drive innovation and adoption. This approach has led to the standardisation of data exchange formats, now used by over 60 airlines, without formal industry mandates. Technology like AI further enhances these efforts, enabling the


translation of unstructured data into actionable insights. This helps streamline processes such as quoting and capacity searches, reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency. “The necessity for digitisation is clear. Although in earlier years some


players were initially hesitant, we've seen growing adoption across the sector,” Claussen stated. “Those previously resistant to change are now joining in, recognising


the efficiencies digital solutions bring. “In the next five years, we expect to see substantial progress in


standardising and adopting digital tools industry-wide, driven by the recognition of their value and the competitive pressure to innovate.”


T: +44 (0)1737 906107


Advertising: sales@azurainternational.com Subscriptions: subs@azurainternational.com Press releases: news@azurainternational.com


The ACW Team Editor:


Supplement Editor: News Reporter:


Regional Representative (APAC):


Edward Hardy James Graham


Anastasiya Simsek Ajinkya Gurav


Regional Representative (North America): Oscar Sardinas Associate Editor:


Director of Operations:


International Media Sales Director: International Sales Executive: Finance Manager:


Design & Production Manager: Production Supervisor: Website Consultant: Managing Director:


Chris Lewis Kim Smith


Rosa Bellanca Zainab Khalid Rachel Burns Alex Brown Kevin Dennis


Tim Brocklehurst Steven Polmans


Annual subscription rates: Print issue: £150 • € 180 • US$195 (20% will be donated to our NGO sustainability projects) Digital issue: Free-of-charge


The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Whilst every care is taken, the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for any errors in articles or advertisements. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by electronic, mechanical, photographic or other means without the prior consent of the publishers. USA: The publishers shall not be liable for losses, claims, damages or expenses arising out


of or attributed to the contents of Air Cargo Week, insofar as they are based on information, presentations, reports or data that have been publicly disseminated, furnished or otherwise communicated to Air Cargo Week. © AZura international 2024 • ISSN 2040-1671 - Printed by Warners Midlands plc. The Mailing, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH


ACW 20 JANUARY 2025


www.aircargoweek.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20