WEEKLY NEWS


Editorial Perspective F


FROM THE HEAD OF EDITORIAL


or decades, airfreight has operated in the shadows of paper, siloed systems, and manual processes. Cargo handlers, freight forwarders, and airlines have relied on physical documentation,


often leaving shippers in the dark. Today, the narrative is


shifting. Digitalisation is no longer a fringe initiative; it has become the industry’s defining challenge and most promising opportunity. Yet the challenge is not purely technological. As Martin Schulze, CEO


of BlueBox Systems, observes in our feature, the airfreight ecosystem is inherently heterogeneous. Alignment across multiple stakeholders, handlers, forwarders, airports, shippers, is the true bottleneck. Digital tools exist, yet adoption often stalls at the interfaces between partners. Misaligned incentives, fragmented processes, and limited interoperability mean that even the most sophisticated solutions struggle to realise their full potential. The problem is governance as much as it is technology. Meanwhile, in an interview this week, MyFreight discusses what


02


is possible when systems are built from the ground up. Free from the constraints of legacy logic, digital platforms are data-native, AI-ready, and designed for flexibility. Routine tasks, bookings, invoice matching, document creation, can now be automated, freeing human expertise for complex exception management, strategic relationship-building, and sales. Security and data sovereignty are built in from day one, ensuring GDPR-compliant, enterprise-grade systems where customers retain direct access to their information. Predictive AI, real-time milestone tracking, and integrated analytics are not just buzzwords—they are enabling smarter operations, faster decision-making, and improved sustainability through optimised container utilisation and carbon footprint management. At the industry level, the push for standardisation is gaining


momentum. The IATA Digitalisation Leadership Charter and ONE Record initiative are establishing a unified standard for shipment data sharing. By creating a single source of truth, these programmes


DISRUPTION RIPPLES THROUGH THE INDUSTRY


BY Edward HARDY


From the Gulf skies to the Strait of Hormuz, the Middle East conflict has exposed just how fragile modern supply chains can be and how quickly geopolitical shocks ripple through every link of the system. Airlines in the region are now navigating a complex maze of airspace restrictions,


temporary


airport closures, and network realignments, forcing carriers to adjust schedules, impose surcharges, and reroute flights on the fly. For forwarders, the picture is even more over


challenging: three quarters report


operational disruption, half are facing rising costs, and rate volatility has become the new normal. Time-sensitive air cargo is under particular strain. Gulf-origin spot rates have surged over 50 percent above pre- war levels, while capacity remains limited by fuel shortages, airport restrictions, and constrained flight paths. The spike in jet


ACW 30 MARCH 2026


fuel prices, nearly doubling since hostilities escalated, has prompted carriers to levy both fuel and war-risk surcharges, feeding directly into higher costs for shippers. The knock-on effects on ocean freight


and broader supply chains are equally stark. Container vessels are being rerouted around conflict zones, adding 10–14 days to transit times, while freight volumes from key Middle Eastern ports remain far below pre-war levels. Stranded cargo, higher premiums,


and surging transport


insurance costs


are squeezing manufacturing margins and disrupting commodity flows. Companies are reacting with route diversification, inventory buffers, and hybrid logistics models, yet these measures


underscore a


is tangible. In China and other export-heavy regions,


security, rising costs, logistics operators are rerouting


cargo, negotiating passage agreements, and recalibrating risk strategies. Energy


and geopolitical calculations have become


central to supply chain planning, highlighting how deeply interconnected global trade has become—and how rapidly turbulence in one region can reverberate worldwide.


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The ACW Team legacy systems, and fragmented data,


aim to eliminate the reconciliation issues that have long hampered efficiency, enhance cross-border collaboration, and provide end-to-end visibility for all stakeholders. Early adopters have demonstrated that coordinated digitalisation is achievable and increasingly essential as expectations shift toward instant visibility and transparency. Operational


resilience is another key dimension. Cybersecurity


risks, compliance requirements, and regulatory pressures demand robust infrastructure and governance. The examples are striking, with reductions in cargo release times from days to hours, while pre-loading cargo information systems are now in use across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, niche applications such as those for live animal shipments show how digitalisation can streamline complex, highly regulated workflows. The stakes are clear. Companies that hesitate risk falling behind,


while those that embrace digitalisation gain a measurable competitive advantage. The pathway to success lies not only in adopting the right technology but also in aligning stakeholders, embedding data-driven workflows, and integrating AI intelligently into daily operations. In doing so, airfreight can finally move from paper-bound processes to a fully integrated, digitally connected, and transparent supply chain— where efficiency, visibility, sustainability, and customer experience are not aspirational goals but the new standard. Digitalisation is no longer optional. It is the engine of resilience,


performance, and future readiness. Those who embrace it will be well- placed to thrive in the next era of operations.


Edward HARDY, Head of Editorial


sobering


reality: this may not be a short-term shock, but a catalyst for a broader reset. Even outside the Middle East, the impact


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