Digital Innovation to Improve Efficiency of Global Air Cargo

The following coverage appeared on page 12 of the print edition of Cargo Talk in June 2023.

There have been several innovations on the digital front for air cargo. Here are a few examples:

Blockchain technology: Blockchain technology is used to create a secure and transparent way of tracking cargo movement. It provides a decentralized platform for recording all transactions and sharing information between all stakeholders. This makes it easier to track and manage cargo, reduces the risk of fraud, and improves the supply chain’s efficiency.

Real-time tracking: Realtime tracking provides stakeholders with real-time visibility into the location and status of cargo. This helps stakeholders identify potential issues or delays and take corrective action to prevent or minimize disruptions. Knowing the ETA of air cargo can improve planning of trucking ops from an airport to the next hub, thereby saving costs.

Internet of Things: IoT involves embedding sensors in cargo and containers. It is used to track location, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors that could impact the cargo. This technology helps companies monitor the cargo’s condition and take appropriate action, if necessary.

Artificial Intelligence: The advanced technology can be used to optimize cargo routes and improve the supply chain’s efficiency. AI algorithms can analyze data from various sources to identify the best routes, modes of transportation, and delivery times, thereby reducing costs and improving delivery times.

Autonomous vehicles: Autonomous vehicles, such as drones and self-driving trucks, are being developed to ferry cargo. They can improve efficiency and reduce costs.

How daily transactions impact the end consumer is important. Time-consuming deliveries drive 52 per cent of customers away, 76 percent of them expect firms to adapt to their individual delivery demands and expectations, 83 percent seek order status updates, while 80 percent seek free deliveries.

With an increase in innovation, companies have been able to reduce transit time and delivery failures. Innovations such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors have helped real-time delivery tracking, help build a better customer experience.

A few years ago, it would have been true, but now we do not feel there is a lot of resistance. Digitization tools such as cost reduction, improved customer experience and logistics productivity, outweigh resistance to technology adoption.

But yes, one needs to understand what the customer wants and showcase tangible business outcomes to get buy-ins from business stakeholders. While the time to go to market with new technology solutions varies from each SaaS provider, in Shipsy’s case, owing to ‘plug and play’ characteristics, businesses can go live in less than two weeks. 

Our platform’s capability to ensure seamless integration with existing logistics infrastructure, its configuration capabilities and the team’s understanding of the region makes the implementation process faster.

We are focusing on creating AI-powered solutions to empower supply chain stakeholders for building proactive logistics and responsive logistics ops to mitigate transportation risks and address failures even before they occur. Our Artificial Intelligence co-pilot, Logistics Intelligence Assistance, forecasts a particular consignment will be delayed.

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