E-commerce boost for Abu Dhabi air cargo community

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airport Services — Cargo (EAS-Cargo), a subsidiary of Etihad Airways, is working with the Singapore-based Cargo Community Network (CCN) to roll out a new information technology platform for the Abu Dhabi cargo community called Cargo Community Service (CCS).

The one-stop service is designed to help air cargo booking and shipment processes for Abu Dhabi-based freight forwarders and clearing agents by linking them directly with air cargo carriers, ground handlers and third parties.

Furthermore, under CCS, a number of comprehensive electronic cargo services for the Abu Dhabi air cargo community will be introduced utilising a secure online portal called CCNhub. This includes Electronic Customs Manifest and Electronic Delivery Orders (EDO) functions, which offer freight forwarders a timely and cost-effective way of submitting customs data electronically for cargo clearance, in addition to obtaining pricing information for printing delivery orders.

EAS-Cargo and CCN expect the new information technology platform services to go live in Q4 2013.

Teow Boon Ling, CEO of CCN, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with EAS-Cargo as it sets about building an air cargo e-commerce environment and hub in Abu Dhabi.

“Having been in this region for the past few years, we have a good understanding of the local market requirements and practices, and with this exciting partnership, we envisage the customised e-services we deliver to the Abu Dhabi cargo community will elevate the standard of air cargo services to the next level.”

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief strategy and planning officer, said: “In line with Etihad Airways’ vision to promote Abu Dhabi as an international gateway, e-commerce has always been at the forefront of how we do business. Partnering with CCN to create a cargo technology platform will simplify business engagement for the entire Abu Dhabi cargo community by enabling all stakeholders, including freight forwarders, clearing agents, the terminal operator and the regulatory authorities, to communicate on a single platform.”

Source: http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/e-commerce-boost-for-abu-dhabi-air-cargo-community-1.1217443