Both companies have introduced a paperless corridor on routes between Europe and the Far East. The pilot phase is encouraging since 100 per cent paperless shipments for general cargo were achieved during the first weeks of the trial on flights between Germany and Hong Kong, states a release.
The switch from paper to electronic data transmission does not only apply to the air waybill, but includes accompanying documents and paper pouches as well. In the next phase more lanes will be targeted, announce both companies jointly. By increasing the number of paperless lanes, a whole paperless corridor between Europe and Asia will be built for general cargo, eliminating the need to submit data written on paper. Once paperless cargo is used to full capacity within the paperless corridor, Lufthansa Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel are setting a benchmark for technical performance, paving the way for a more sustainable and an efficient future in logistics. This initiative reflects their commitment to harnessing innovation and technology to drive positive change within the industry, reads their joint statement.
K+N targets full digitalization of its air freight business
According to Kolja Mahler-Wingen, Vice President Air Logistics Operations Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, her company is on the way to fully digitalize air freight processes: “In addition to the positive effect of paperless handling, which primarily saves time and gains efficiency, a purely digitally supported process also offers further potential for automation in order to reach the best possible transparency and data quality for our customers around the globe. We as Kuehne+Nagel are highly committed to further expanding our digital ambitions […].”
Only the first step
Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, Vice President Global Fulfillment Management, Lufthansa Cargo, emphasizes: “The transition to a paperless environment will significantly reduce processing times plus complexity and offers just in time shipment status information. However, it will only be a first step towards a fully digitalized air freight future; especially accompanying documentation of special cargo will come into our focus soon enough.”
More are to follow
However, how soon soon is, the manager doesn’t reveal. Will “the second step” take six months, a year or even more? No explanation concerning the timeline is provided. It is also not said whether products other than general cargo, such as pharmaceuticals, express or DG, will be integrated into the paperless concept.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel encourage industry players to join them in their efforts to eliminate unnecessary paper documents. Participating in the “paperless corridor” is easy for interested logistic companies: All that is required is the participation in the electronic Air Way Bill (eAWB) Single Process and the selection of the eFreight Special Handling Code (EAW) for all general cargo when preparing the shipment and paperless delivery to the airline.
Long standing partnership
Only days ago, Lufthansa Cargo honored K+N with the “Excellence Award 2022” during the carrier’s annual Global Partner Council held this year in Madrid. The event marks a small anniversary because it is the 25th time that a key customer of the freight carrier has been honored with this award.
For many years, Kuehne + Nagel has been a close partner to Lufthansa Cargo worldwide this way ensuring professional transport of urgent, valuable and temperature-sensitive goods for the logistics giant’s customers. Both players also work closely together to effectively promote digitalization and sustainability initiatives in the air freight industry as the paperless corridor initiative and the increasing use of sustainable aviation fuel for transporting goods illustrates.
Lufthansa Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel have a long-standing and trusting cooperation in freight business, both within Europe and worldwide. For many years, Lufthansa Cargo has been cooperating with Kuehne+Nagel to ensure professional transport of urgent, valuable and temperature-sensitive goods for its customers. More recently, K+N utilizes also the A321 freighters operated by Lufthansa Cargo on regional routes in addition to booking capacity on the carrier’s B777F long-haul fleet.
Heiner Siegmund
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