Panalpina has become the first freight forwarder to subscribe globally to IATA’s digital manuals.
As a result, its airfreight specialists right around the world can now access the latest regulations and industry standards online.
This way, says the Switzerland-based company (and fourth-largest forwarder in the world in terms of air cargo volumes), it can offer its customers, “faster and even more efficient services while ensuring safer and greener airfreight operations”.
Over the years, IATA has established comprehensive industry standards in various publications for cargo, passengers, flight operations and other related subjects, to make air transport for passengers and cargo as safe as possible.
The most relevant IATA content for Panalpina’s airfreight operators includes IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations, The Air Cargo Tariff and Rules (TACT), its Lithium Batteries Shipping Guidelines, as well as its Regulations for Live Animals, Perishables, Temperature Control and ULDs.
For example, with over 5m rates, rules and regulations for more than 220 countries and almost 100 airlines, TACT is regarded by the industry, Panalpina observed, as the definitive source for shipping and accepting air cargo.
By accessing TACT’s 5,500 pages of rates, rules and regulations electronically, Panalpina further reduces its environmental impact, it suggested.
“In September 2018, Panalpina was the first forwarder to transport a paperless Dangerous Goods (e-DGD) shipment and from early on, we took responsibility to be leading in compliance along the supply chain,” recalled Lucas Kuehner, Panalpina’s global head of airfreight.
“With online availability of the IATA manuals, we can further mitigate operational and legal risks, for example when flying lithium batteries or chemicals.
“Thumbing through heavy books is definitely a thing of the past for our professionals. All the information they need and seek – often under great time pressure – is now only a mouse click away.
“This makes our shipment processing even faster and more efficient, while ensuring safer and greener airfreight operations,” Kuehner added.
“By using IATA Solutions globally, Panalpina is the first mover to adopt 100% electronic publications, setting the benchmark for other industry players,” observed Frederic Leger, IATA’s director products, airport, passenger, cargo and security.
“We will continue our strong partnership with Panalpina to further optimise cargo compliance and standardisation and extend our close cooperation into more areas such as training,” Leger continued…
