Stakeholders: Handler-forwarder connectivity must improve

Industry stakeholders are looking to improve connectivity between ground handlers and forwarders as congestion and labor challenges at major airports persist. “The connectivity between ground handlers and forwarders compared to ground handlers and airlines — or airlines and forwarders — is, for sure, not at par,” David Wystrach, global head of airfreight at Scan Global Logistics, said during a Sept. 13 webinar hosted by Air Cargo World . “I think there’s some opportunities in that … Connecting trucking companies [and] connecting ground handlers and forwarders in a more seamless way would be something … of value.” He further noted that the disconnect is an industry challenge that cannot be solved by forwarders alone. Indeed, challenges in the U.S. and at major European airports like Amsterdam (AMS) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) are leading companies to reevaluate their operations to keep cargo moving, DSV Senior Director of Air and Sea Thomas Christensen said during the webinar. [caption id="attachment_57132089" align="alignright" width="473"] Panelists at Air Cargo World's webinar titled, "Forward thinking: Best practices for freight forwarder success"[/caption] “This is where we have to start thinking outside of the box and not just continue the traditional way of how we are moving freight,” Christensen said. “More and more of it, we have to try and take in-house [and] try and get our cargo away from the airport as much as possible and not rely on the airport services.” This includes in-house screening, building more of DSV’s own ULDs and pallets and bringing cargo back to DSV’s own facilities where they have “much more control,” he said. See also : Forwarders diverge on peak season outlook Tech creates visibility, optimized processes Indeed, the airfreight industry has been working to create greater visibility between handlers and other stakeholders to streamline operations and combat labor challenges. In turn, ground handlers have been leveraging new technology solutions . For instance, Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific in August implemented a new initiative at its cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) utilizing Cargo iQ milestones that act as checkpoints for warehouse and ramp handlers to improve visibility between its operations. Meanwhile U.K.-based cargo management tech company Hermes Logistics Technologies on Monday announced the integration of SPEEDCARGO’s solutions into its Cargo Management System (CMS) for a ground handler at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), according to a release. The partnership will make “enhanced digital information of physical cargo available within the Hermes CMS,” according to the release. Benefits include real-time data capture at the door, improved accuracy and labor cost reductions. Forwarders seek airport alternatives Forwarders are also opting for alternative airports to navigate congestion issues, which is what DSV uses to a “high degree,” in addition to its own-controlled network , Christensen said. “We’re using Luxembourg (LUX) in Europe in a big way, and in the U.S., Huntsville (HSV) and Rockford (RFD) … to steer cargo away from the traditional, very congested airports in those areas,” he said. Fellow forwarder Team Worldwide is another stakeholder avoiding major airports that face delays. Although flying into an alternative airport is not always possible due to flight schedule restrictions, “in the U.S. [Team Worldwide is] sometimes going into an airport like Columbus, Rickenbacker (LCK) or someplace like that, as opposed to JFK, Chicago (ORD) or LAX,” Robert Imbriani, executive vice president, international, said during the webinar. “We try to work with the airline, see what some of the schedules are … work with a multitude of service providers and so forth,” Imbriani said. Meanwhile, smaller airports continue to tap into local airfreight potential, which further helps alleviate strain on major airports like JFK and London Heathrow (LHR). In the U.S., for instance, Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Michigan intends to increase its cargo ramp space by 63% to help with supply chain congestion, while Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) continues to expand its cargo handling capabilities with a new “Cargo 4” facility set to be operational in 2024. And in the U.K., forwarders have been moving volumes away from LHR in favor of smaller airports like Newcastle International (NCL), which is developing and growing its cargo sector .

Stakeholders: Handler-forwarder connectivity must improve

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