Fraport to develop a cargo handling data exchange

Frankfurt Airport management company Fraport is developing FRA-OS, a digital data exchange platform for cargo handling at Germany and Europe’s number one airfreight hub.

The project is in cooperation with the Freight Unit of the German Customs Office, the Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association of Hesse/Rhineland-Palatinate (SLV), the Association of Air Cargo Handlers in Germany (VACAD), as well as German software company DAKOSY and other Frankfurt Airport cargo community partners.

FRA-OS will serve as a digital marketplace providing numerous applications for process optimisation. 

Following a year of preparation and initial investments headed by Fraport, SLV and VACAD, a first element of the project is now being implemented.

Together with the DAKOSY, Fraport  is investing in the development of the digital import platform which will help standardise, simplify and speed up customs and import processes at Frankfurt Airport.

FRA-OS Import automates the data exchange between all parties involved in the import processes. This will facilitate even complex customs procedures, including those which in the near future will be required for the presentation of goods for customs clearance.

The system will be able to support the risk assessment of goods to be imported and can provide shipment-related information on every single step along the import process at the airport. This will allow customs applications to be submitted earlier and with greater precision than at present, speeding up the entire import process.

Max Philipp Conrady, head of cargo infrastructure and development at Fraport, said: “We expect the new import platform to result in even smoother and more reliable processes. Our aim is to make work easier for our on-site partners. In particular, we expect the import platform to deliver significant benefits regarding the presentation of goods for customs clearance.”

Added a Fraport spokesperson: “In developing the platform, the project partners are building on the established and successful digital infrastructure at FRA. Frankfurt Airport already has one of the best digital freight infrastructures in the world.

“FRA-OS Import will be ready for use before the end of 2021. With this move, Frankfurt Airport is pressing ahead with the digitalization of its freight business and reinforcing its position as Europe’s leading cargo hub.”

Another notable development is that, in the future, goods may be presented for clearance at all customs storage facilities across Frankfurt Airport’s defined customs area. This will shorten and optimise the handling and clearance processes, particularly for consolidated shipments, which are becoming ever more important due to growing e-commerce demand.

In conjunction with the new regulation, the import platform will simplify the import process for consolidated shipments – under the condition that shippers and airlines provide detailed data.