Schiphol’s e-freight initiative ends

   In the final year of a two-year the Dutch government’s 1.2-million-euro paperless air cargo initiative, e-freight@NL achieved 21,176 paperless shipments through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
   That number represents a significant increase from its start in July 2010; during the first six months, 1,655 shipments were sent with electronic documentation. New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta are some of the top routes that contributed to Schiphol’s e-freight rise.
   As the program comes to a close, Schiphol’s Saskia van Pelt promises e-freight at Schiphol will not stagnate. The airport hopes to play a major role in the goals the International Air Transport Association has set for paperless air cargo.
   “We will continue to drive the use of e-freight at Schiphol. It reduces costs, improves efficiency and speed, is environmentally responsible and will help to differentiate air cargo from other transport modes,” she said in a statement. “Schiphol supports any initiative that is good for our industry, and by continuing in the front line of innovation we further our aim to be Europe’s preferred air cargo gateway.”
   IATA is aiming for up to 45 percent of global e-freight coverage this year and 20 percent e-air waybill use. By 2015, worldwide coverage should include 80 percent of all trade lanes, and the air waybill, house manifest and flight manifest documents will be completely digitalized. – Jon Ross