e-Freight Initiatives: Schiphol Cargo, CAAS and Changi Airport Come Together

The study programme attended by 18 delegates from Singapore including representatives of CAAS, CAG, Ministry of Transport, Singapore Customs, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Police Force (Airport Police Division), SPRING Singapore, Singapore Aircargo Agents Association and ground handling agents SATS and Dnata Singapore.

The programme was also attended by executives of e-Freight@NL, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Cargo team, Aviapartner, local Singapore Airlines staff and the Dutch Customs organisation. e-Freight@NL is an important initiative to turn Amsterdam Airport Schiphol into a paperless cargo hub. In 2010 the project was awarded a 1.2 million Euro grant from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. With KLM Cargo as their secretary, the project's participants include various supply chain partners and organisations including Air Cargo Netherlands. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol plays a key role in strengthening relations with other major worldwide hubs involved in e-Freight, such as Singapore and Hong Kong. The study programme included presentations by CAAS, CAG, Dutch Customs, Air Cargo Netherlands and Amsterdam Connecting Trade. Topics included developments at Changi and Schiphol and an update on SmartGate. Delegates visited various locations around the airport to see e-Freight, SmartGate and eLink in action, meeting key personnel on site to hear their experiences and views first-hand. According to Saskia van Pelt, director, business development, Schiphol Cargo, e-Freight shipments through Schiphol have almost quadrupled in a year. However, she said, "We are still talking about 10 per cent of total cargo traffic on e-Freight-ready trade lanes. We have made solid progress, but we still have a long way to go." Schiphol now has eleven airlines operating e-Freight, up from just four in 2010. e-Freight users also include local handling agents and logistics service providers. The recently launched e-Freight Online Academy now has over 200 users. Amsterdam Airport Cargo * 3rd largest cargo airport in Europe and 17th largest in the world * 1.5 million tonne of cargo in 2010 * 301 scheduled airline destinations in 90+ countries * 106 scheduled airlines and 21 scheduled freighter operators * 3,86,319 air transport movements in 2010 * One dedicated cargo area * 25 dedicated full freighter stands * 5 main runways, ranging from 3,400-3,800 metres in length * Ten cargo handling companies * 5,25,000 m2 of cargo warehouses, of which 60% have direct airside access * 11,000 m2 of new cargo buildings under construction