Schiphol signs memorandum of understanding on e-freight with Changi Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Changi Airport have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on e-freight: paperless air cargo. According to the MOU, both airports will facilitate and promote to their local supply chain the use and further development of paperless air cargo transport, thus creating a paperless trade lane between them.

Also they agreed to exchange e-freight knowledge, expertise and explore the possibilities of joint research. The document was signed at the 25th International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition (ACF 2010) in Amsterdam RAI.

E-freight is an IATA initiative and aims to replace paper with digital documents throughout the supply chain in air freight; at all levels from shippers, forwarders and export customs to carriers, import customs, forwarders and receivers. Normally each packet that is transported by air contributes about thirty documents with them. On an annual basis this method causes an amount of paper that can fill eighty Boeings 747 freighter. Undesirable and certainly not necessary. That's why both Schiphol and Changi Airport support e-freight and have the intention to become a paperless air cargo hub.

Mr. Enno Osinga, Senior Vice President Cargo of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: "Schiphol invest heavily in sustainability at Schiphol. Furthermore it's our ambition to be Europe's preferred airport; not only for passengers but also for cargo. Working paperless creates many benefits for all parties handling cargo in our market place, so we are convinced that implementation of e-freight will contribute substantially to realising our strategy and our ambition. Therefore we do all we can to assist our local partners in the supply chain in implementing e-freight. Also we encourage other airports to promote the building of paperless trade lanes. That is why we are very excited about our understanding with Changi Airport."

E-Freight@NL
Another important initiative to turn Amsterdam Airport Schiphol into a paperless cargo hub is the project E-freight@NL. In 2010 the project has applied for a EUR 1.2 million subsidy from the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation. The ministry has already formally granted half the subsidy, while the remainder has been pledged by seven regional authorities, namely: the Dutch provinces of North Holland, Utrecht and Limburg, the municipalities of Amsterdam, Lelystad and Haarlemmermeer, and the Greater Amsterdam Area. With KLM Cargo as secretary, the project has participants that include various chain partners and Air Cargo Netherlands. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol plays a key role in strengthening relations with other major hubs involved in e-freight worldwide, such as Singapore and Hong Kong.