aerobd.news : Shippers and industry will work together to promote the adoption of Cargo iQ’s Master Operating Plan (MOP) and share information to ensure shippers’ needs are met.

Paris, France, Wednesday, 26th October 2016 – The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) and Cargo iQ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to work co-operatively to support the implementation of Cargo iQ’s Quality Management System (QMS) and to promote the sustainability of the air cargo supply chain.

The MOU outlines six areas for the two groups to work together towards a more efficient, quality-driven, and secure air cargo supply chain, and explores methods for industry and shippers to better communicate so that customer needs are met and the benefits of air cargo are understood by the customer. GSF and Cargo iQ signed the agreement following a joint briefing looking at how data, quality, and interoperability underpin performance at The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)’s Air Cargo Forum (ACF) in Paris, France today.

“Against the backdrop of weak growth in international trade, shippers are looking for even greater value from the air cargo industry,” said Chris Welsh, MBE, Secretary-General, Global Shippers’ Forum.

“While the industry enjoys traditional benefits of speed over other modes, it needs to ensure that it is worth the premium service cost versus ocean, road, and rail.

“Our new cooperation with Cargo iQ will make sure industry performance standards meet shippers’ needs, and also help shippers understand the improvements the air cargo industry is making.”

“As shippers continue to look for the best solutions to their logistical needs, our industry is facing continuous challenges to reinvent itself,” said Ariaen Zimmerman, Executive Director, Cargo iQ.

“With continuous pressure on rates and emerging technologies putting more and more demand for real time information and shipment control, industry participants need to make the right choices in developing future services and improving the current ones.

“The airfreight industry, being one of the biggest enablers for our modern, globalised economy, is a highly competitive environment.

“Knowing customers’ wants and needs is crucial. And only when shippers participate in avoiding costs and value its products, can the industry offer the services our world needs in an economically sustainable way.”

Under the agreement, GSF and Cargo iQ have agreed the following:

· To promote the acceptance, implementation, and use of Cargo iQ standards and processes, improving efficiency and on-time delivery for air cargo customers.

· To share information and best practices aimed at continuous improvement of the air cargo supply chain.

· To identify and promote ways that performance data of the air cargo supply chain becomes better accessible to customers.

· To share details of forthcoming events where progress can be reviewed aiming at the industry engagement in its shipment control and process improvement.

ABOUT CARGO IQ

Cargo iQ is an IATA interest group with the mission of creating and implementing quality standards for the worldwide air cargo industry.

Cargo iQ operates as a not-for-profit membership group supported by IATA and composed of over 80 major airlines, freight forwarders, ground-handling agents, trucking companies and IT solution providers globally.

Cargo iQ members developed a system of shipment planning and performance monitoring for air cargo based on common business processes and milestones.

As part of that system, the Cargo iQ Master Operating Plan (MOP), which has been endorsed by IATA as a recommended industry practice, describes the standard end-to-end process of transporting air cargo.

For more information visit cargoiq.org

ABOUT GLOBAL SHIPPERS’ FORUM

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) represents shippers’ interests and that of their respective organisations from Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Africa.

The main focus of the GSF is to influence commercial developments in the international freight transport industry and the policy decisions of governments and international organisations as they affect shippers and receivers of freight.

The Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) was formally incorporated and registered as a non-governmental organisation in the United Kingdom in June 2011. It is the world’s leading trade association for shippers engaged in international trade moving goods by all modes of transport.

Visit globalshippersforum.com for more information.