IATA has launched DG Autocheck – a digital solution that allows air cargo supply chain stakeholders to ensure their shipments are in compliance with its Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
An industry working group including Air Franc e -KLM Cargo, Emirates airline, Qatar Airways, Swissport, Panalpina and DHL Express has helped develop the software service.
The tool enables electronic consignment data to be received, processed and verified automatically using an XML message version of the DGR.
The AutoCheck enables ground handlers or airlines to accept or reject a shipment during the physical inspection stage by providing a pictorial representation of the package with its correct marking and labeling.
“The air transport industry handles in excess of 1.25 million dangerous goods shipments per year. With the air cargo growth forecast at 4.9 percent per year over the next five years this number will rise significantly,” said Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security.
“To ensure that air cargo is ready to benefit from this growth the industry needs to adopt modern and harmonized standards particularly in relation to dangerous goods,” he noted.
Currently every shipment declaration has to be checked against at least one of 3,000 entries in 1,100 pages of a paper version of the DGR.
“The air cargo supply chain is currently undergoing a major digital evolution. Collaboration across the industry is essential if the goal of a digitized electronic end-to-end messaging platform is to be realized. There is no time to lose; our customers already expect the efficiency of electronic documentation throughout the supply chain,” added Careen.
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