Cathay Cargo, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and IATA Achieve Milestone with ONE Record Shipment

Cathay Cargo, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and IATA Achieve Milestone with ONE Record Shipment

Hong Kong – In a groundbreaking development for the aviation and cargo industry, Cathay Cargo, in collaboration with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has successfully completed a pilot scheme using IATA's ONE Record data protocols. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the digitalization of air cargo operations, particularly for intermodal shipments.

Pioneering the ONE Record Data Protocol in Intermodal Shipments

The pilot scheme involved the use of IATA's ONE Record data protocols for a shipment from Dongguan in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), destined for export from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This marks the first instance where IATA ONE Record data milestones, including security status, have been applied to a sea-to-air shipment, with cargo acceptance logged outside the origin airport’s cargo terminal.

Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency

The ONE Record initiative by IATA is designed to provide end-to-end transparency for consignments, tracking their progress through various stages in the supply chain. This includes the shipper, agent, airline, warehouse, and statutory authorities like customs. The initiative follows IATA’s protocols for APIs, ensuring secure data sharing and connectivity.

Cathay Cargo’s Role in the Pilot Scheme

Tom Owen, Cathay Director Cargo, highlighted the significance of this pilot scheme in demonstrating Cathay Cargo's commitment to digitalizing systems in preparation for the ONE Record implementation in 2026. The pilot showcased the flexibility of ONE Record, particularly in accepting cargo from an upstream cargo terminal and logging its transit by boat – a world first. The new Cathay Cargo Terminal facility in Dongguan, with its innovative solutions and technology, played a crucial role in the project.

Operational Success and Future Prospects

The pilot scheme saw air-cargo shipments bound for Bangkok, Manila, and Tokyo from forwarder Yusen Logistics accepted at the Cathay Cargo Terminal Dongguan. The shipments passed through AAHK security, registering as an acceptance milestone in the ONE Record system. The bonded shipments were then unloaded for export at HKIA, triggering normal ONE Record shipment milestones until collection by the consignees.

Yusen Logistics, through their account in the EzyCargo™ digital cargo-management system, could monitor the progress of the shipments. This interface, designed by Global Logistics System (GLS) HK Co Ltd, has been instrumental in developing IATA ONE Record technologies.

Industry Perspectives on ONE Record

Cyrus Chan, Manager Air Freight Forwarding Division at Yusen, expressed enthusiasm for ONE Record, citing its potential to enhance collaboration among supply chain stakeholders and improve visibility for customers. Max Xie, Regional Vice President North Asia for IATA, congratulated the partners on the successful pilot, noting its significance in demonstrating the standard's effectiveness in supporting intermodal transport of cargo.

Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial at AAHK, emphasized the importance of digitalization in enhancing operational efficiency in the complex supply chain landscape. She affirmed AAHK's commitment to leveraging the HKIA Cargo Data Platform to drive digital transformation and reinforce HKIA’s position as a leading smart aviation hub.

This pilot represents a significant step in increasing options for air-cargo shipments from Dongguan and, potentially, other origin points within the GBA, further cementing Hong Kong's status as a key air-cargo hub.