IATA ONE Record in sea-air first
16 / 10 / 2023
Source: Cathay Cargo
Milestones for the IATA ONE Record data sharing initiative have been used on a sea-to-air shipment for the first time.
Cathay Cargo, IATA, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) used the milestones on a shipments accepted at the Dongguan Logistics Park in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) that were then moved by ship to the airport before being transported by air.
The pilot scheme saw air-cargo shipments bound for Bangkok, Manila and Tokyo from forwarder Yusen Logistics accepted at the Cathay Cargo Terminal Dongguan, and pass through AAHK security.
As well as being the first time the system has been used for a sea-to-air shipment, it is also the first time cargo acceptance has been logged outside the origin airport’s cargo terminal.
IATA’s ONE Record logs progress as shipments pass through multiple links in the chain from shipper to agent, airline, warehouse and statutory authorities such as customs.
The system uses IATA’s protocols for APIs that allow the various IT systems to connect.
ONE Record is currently in a pilot phase with full implementation being targeted for 2026.
Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “This pilot also showed ONE Record’s flexibility, and being able to accept cargo from an upstream cargo terminal and then log its transit by boat was a world first.
“Our new Cathay Cargo Terminal facility in Dongguan, together with its innovative solutions and technology, played a vital role in the project, and it will bring benefits to all parties and stakeholders for intermodal cargo operations in the GBA.”
The system generated data notices when the shipments were accepted and then unloaded for export at HKIA. From there, the shipments triggered the normal ONE Record shipment milestones as they completed their journey to collection by the eventual consignees.
Cyrus Chan, Manager Air Freight Forwarding Division, Yusen, said: “ONE Record will really help enhance the collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, especially for shipments from the GBA, and it will improve visibility for our customers.
“ONE Record is gaining traction and will become the global standard, and we are keen to be an early adopter to align with industry best practice and future developments in air cargo operations.”
