Cathay Cargo Terminal has solidified its status as the trailblazer in Hong Kong’s cargo industry by introducing Electronic Shipment Release Forms (eSRF), marking the initiation of a fully digitalized import collection process. This milestone establishes Cathay Cargo Terminal as the first cargo terminal operator in Hong Kong to offer end-to-end digital services for import operations.
The implementation of eSRF is a key component of the Import Air Cargo Collection Digitalization Module, a strategic initiative within the HKIA Cargo Data Platform managed by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). This latest feature significantly accelerates the import collection process, fostering enhanced efficiency and providing freight forwarders with greater flexibility in managing their work schedules.
“The introduction of eSRF is a real game changer — akin to the introduction of e-tickets in passenger aviation. We are proud to have worked hand-in-hand with the AAHK to make this a reality. Our customers are increasingly looking to leverage digitalisation to unlock efficiency and transparency, while also looking to work with common standards and true community solutions that enable them to share data quickly across the supply chains with minimal integration. The HKIA Cargo Data Platform serves as an enabler in driving such transformational change for the industry,” according to Mark Watts, Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer.
The digitalized process offers heightened security compared to traditional paper-based identification verification methods. It not only increases visibility for customers but also eliminates the need for paper Shipment Release Forms (SRF), thereby reducing archival storage requirements for freight agents and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Previously, obtaining SRFs necessitated a manual authentication process with paper-based identification documents and queuing for truck dock and cargo clearances. The newly introduced eSRF can be swiftly issued through electronic authentication. Airlines can seamlessly issue eSRFs to freight forwarders or consignees, facilitating pre-registration, automatic truck dock allocation, and online queuing for cargo clearance. The electronic recording of inspection confirmations ensures that cargo release confirmations are readily available on mobile devices.
Cathay Cargo Terminal, a key partner of the AAHK, collaborated closely in the development of this digital solution. The initiative involved consultations with various stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA), airlines, cargo agents, truckers, and regulators.
The HKIA Cargo Data Platform, a blockchain-based digital platform managed by AAHK, plays a pivotal role in connecting air cargo stakeholders through a synchronized and trusted network. This open and neutral community-based platform aims to facilitate global supply chain digitalization and innovation while expediting global trade facilitation. Furthermore, it is poised to accelerate ecosystem formulation and collaboration, propelling Hong Kong’s air cargo industry into a new era of efficiency and technological advancement.