IATA e-DGD: “a powerful step forward”

IATA has adopted e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (e-DGD) standards at the World Cargo Symposium taking place in Dallas, Texas on March 13-15.
An electronic approach to managing the IATA Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), the e-DGD leverages industry initiatives to digitise data and embrace data-sharing platform principles, the association said.
Implementation of e-DGD supports industry initiatives to modernise air cargo processes – and requires industry-wide cooperation to deliver benefits such as include improved transparency, traceability and data quality. This, in turn, will improve process efficiency and reduce errors and delays, according to IATA.
It was developed through the IATA Cargo Services Conference with key support provided by four proof of concept partners: Air France-KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and Cargologic.
“The e-DGD demonstrates the air cargo industry’s commitment to modernise processes. The challenge now is implementation so that the benefits can be realised by the supply chain and, more importantly, by our customers,” said Glyn Hughes, global head of cargo, IATA.
Ashwin Bhat, head of cargo at Swiss WorldCargo (pictured), added: “e-DGD is a powerful step forward for the air cargo industry… We anticipate that it will ensure a standardised, successful way of working, thus continuing the efficient collaboration between all our partners and stakeholders within the supply chain.”
Lufthansa cargo vice president global handling Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt pointed out: “Only when all stakeholders of the supply chain find benefits in the solution, will digitisation be successful on such a large scale.
“e-DGD is one important component of Lufthansa Cargo´s digitisation strategy to provide a holistic digital environment for our customers,” he added.
Elisabeth Herelier, Air France Cargo executive vice president, commented: “By using data sharing principles, the e-DGD brings a new opportunity to introduce further automation and artificial intelligence exploration in air transport processes. Our ultimate goal is to increase quality, transparency, efficiency and customer satisfaction.”
● IATA also launched a new digital solution, Dangerous Goods AutoCheck, during this year’s World Cargo Symposium. DG AutoCheck allows the air cargo supply chain to check the compliance of shippers’ Declaration for Dangerous Goods against IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations.