Schiphol data sharing platform blooms

As part of its Smart Cargo Mainport Program (SCMP), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is now linking critical flower shipment data to air waybills at source, the Dutch gateway announced at the IATA World Cargo Symposium currently under way in Dallas, Texas.
The SCMP aims to increase efficiencies at Schiphol through increased data sharing and includes initiatives such as the Holland Flower Alliance Data Sharing Working Group, which piloted the scheme.
“Through close collaboration between the floriculture and air cargo sectors, we are now able to link two critical sets of data and increase trust between parties by making that data available to everyone at all times,” said Jonas van Stekelenburg, head of cargo at Schiphol.
“The new portal uses a unique ‘global standard 1’ code (GLN) combined with an order number. This way the system excludes duplications of either order numbers or air waybill numbers,” he explained.
Shipment data (such as number of boxes, flower type and number of flowers and stems in each box) is linked to air waybill numbers and the resultant unique GLN codes give all users access to all the data in one place. Flower shipments on pilot flights from Nairobi to the Aalsmeer flower auction in the Netherlands have proven to be traceable individually and in real time throughout their journey.
“This unique collaboration by means of SCMP and the Holland Flower Alliance is of great value for the precious supply chain of floriculture cargo,” said Marcel de Nooijer, executive vice president Air France KLM and managing director Martinair.
“By joining hands, we are really working hard to increase efficiency and quality and to lower costs throughout the whole supply chain. The development and launch of this data sharing platform is a real example that we are doing ‘new stuff’ benefiting all stakeholders in the floriculture chain,” he added.
The platform was developed after consultation with the Cargo Community identified priorities for the perishable cool chain, with the ability to track and trace at individual box level from farm to auction appearing as a unanimous priority for all parties.
“The portal also ensures that only authorised parties have access to sensitive data, increasing trust and cooperation, and encouraging further collaboration towards common goals,” said Koos van der Meij, project manager, Information Sharing Working Group.
The next step is to present the data to the end customer in a user-friendly way; Holland Flower Alliance partners are working on this, alongside forwarders Kuehne + Nagel and Panalpina.
Other projects under the SCMP banner include Pharma Gateway Amsterdam and EU Green Fast Lanes.

Share this story

Related Topics

Latest airfreight digitisation news

Delta Cargo expands partnership with WebCargo

Delta Cargo has expanded its offering on online booking platform WebCargo by Freightos to include more destinations and products. The…

Read More

Share this story

Korean Air connects with DHL through APIs

DHL Global Forwarding is continuing to add direct connections to its airline partner’s booking systems, this time integrating with Korean…

Read More

Share this story

CargoAi’s new service aims to make securing spot cargo easier

Digital technology platform CargoAi has launched a new feature designed to make the process of finding and securing available spot…

Read More

Share this story

Air Cargo News

Air Cargo News
Established in 1983, Air Cargo News is the leading source of news, information, interviews, analyses and reports to the global airfreight industry. Our leading portfolio includes print, digital and events that give businesses in the airfreight industry the ability to connect with decision-makers in this sector.