9th World Cargo Symposium Picks Innovation Awards Winners.

Date: 12 March 2015

 

Shanghai – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) concluded the 9th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) here with the announcement of the winners of its inaugural Air Cargo Innovation Awards. In a public vote by WCS delegates, Floris Kleijn was declared the winner for his CanTrack idea to bring smart technology to the ULD environment, harnessing solar energy and implementing smart tracking and tracing tools. Mr. Kleijn was presented with $20,000 of funding to further develop his idea. Two runners-up, Niall van de Wouw, and Kiona van de Burg, were each awarded funding of $8,000.

“We are delighted with the response to our first Air Cargo Innovation Awards. The jury was impressed with the range and originality of proposals submitted. Congratulations to Floris Kleijn for his winning idea. Innovation is the key to business improvement and air cargo is at its best when at its boldest. We hope the funding IATA is putting forward will enable them to achieve further success,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

The Symposium also contained some other key announcements:

The Cargo Committee called for strong action to secure the safe transport of lithium batteries by air. “Government authorities must step up and take responsibility for regulating producers and exporters, and ensure compliance by those who are responsible for initiating the transportation. Flagrant abuses of dangerous goods shipping regulations which place aircraft safety at risk must be criminalized as are other actions which place aircraft safety at risk. We must also increase the level of shipment assessments and trusted shipper programs in order that those who comply with the regulations are not unduly impacted, and we call upon reputable manufacturers in the high technology sector to join us in this demand,” said James Woodrow, Cargo Committee Chairman, and Director of Cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways.

Trucking company Jan de Rijk and Ground Handler Swissport received their CEIV Pharma certifications, ensuring that their staff training, internal procedures and facilities for handling pharmaceutical goods meet regulatory requirements and industry standards. Brussels Airport announced a second wave of 9 businesses will join the BRU Airport CEIV Community. With the addition of these new companies, 90% of pharmaceutical shipments out of Brussels airport will be CEIV certified.

The Shippers Survey conducted by IATA received responses from 336 participants. 74% of respondents indicated they were ‘satisfied’ with their air cargo experience. Asked to select the main advantage of air cargo over other modes, the most common response was ‘speed’ (33%). However a panel dedicated to the shipper’s voice stressed the urgent need for supply chain optimization to increase the value proposition.
“The 9th World Cargo Symposium was all about improving the customer experience. Air cargo’s customers, the shippers, have clearly articulated that we must do things differently or face the business moving elsewhere. The industry must embrace digital information that can be exchanged in a transparent manner, renew its focus on quality within the supply chain, and its speed has to be increased. The challenge laid down to cut 48 hours out of the average shipping time is more relevant than ever. The whole air cargo supply chain must be dedicated to moving things faster. Now we need to get this done,” said Hughes.

For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
Notes for Editors:

IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 250 airlines comprising 84% of global air traffic.
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The Air Cargo Innovation Awards shortlist was selected by an independent jury consisting of Marco Bloemen (Seabury), Holger Buerskens (Arnecke Siebold), Darryl Judd (Logistics Executive), Bernd Maresch (Independent Consultant), and Stephen Miles (MIT). The shortlisted ideas were presented to the 1000 delegates at the World Cargo Symposium for a public vote in the closing plenary.

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