Digitalisation is a watchword for the air cargo industry. While there have been significant milestones – e-AWBs to reduce paper waste, APIs to open access to capacity and booking across customer and third-party systems – as with Cathay Cargo’s Click and Ship booking platform – and real-world use cases with IATA’s ONE Record, heralding an era of greater visibility along the shipment journey, there are other aspects of the industry where there are efficiency gains to be made.  

Director Cargo Tom Owen has previously stressed the role of digitalisation in keeping Cathay Cargo on course for its mission to become the world’s best air cargo carrier. “There’s a lot of value still to be unlocked, simply by raising the efficiency of what we do as an industry,” he says.

Digitalising frontline operations

This is exactly what Cargo Connect delivers for Cathay Cargo’s teams. Already, this mobile app has resulted in reduced paperwork for frontline operational staff in Hong Kong, cutting the need to go to and from the office to check in, or to complete paper forms at the end of a shift. It enables users to upload photos of lock positions on board directly, as opposed to having go back to the office to upload them via a PC. A recent upgrade means that tie-down diagrams for floating shipments are now sent straight to users’ devices as they work. 

“Cargo Connect is a comprehensive digital transformation initiative aimed at optimising cargo operations by providing a common digital platform for a mobile workforce with relevant digital information to enhance efficiency, safety, and accountability,” says project owner Calvin Hui, Head of Cargo Operations, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. “It has enabled our team to deliver a reliable and high-quality service that is meaningful to the operation and our customers.”

There are other impacts too. Cargo Connect has reduced the volume of paperwork so much that the Cargo Operation Centre (COC) in the Cathay Cargo Terminal has seen its now-redundant filing cabinets and pigeonholes removed, and the space upgraded into a modern work environment designed to foster collaboration, innovation and wellbeing.

“It’s now a far more efficient layout – one that supports individual focus at workstations as well as the operational flow,” says Cherry Wong, COC Manager Service Planning and Development. 

In the next phase, Cargo Connect has been rolled out globally to Cathay Cargo teams and contracted ground-handling agents (GHAs) across the network.

Cargo Connect Global Version features at a glance

• Flight List & Details Development: Allows users to view flight details for their port, while Area Cargo Managers can view all flight details across all their ports
• Digitised Workflows and Checklists: Replace paper-based practices. They include the Freighter Loading Supervision Declaration Form, which was until recently paper-based
• Floating Checklist: Ensures floating pallets are loaded and restrained correctly 
• Single Platform: Unifies various services and data sources into a single platform 

Cargo Connect Global Version benefits 

• Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined operations and less time spent on manual processes
• Improved Safety and Accountability: All operations and checklists are digitally tracked and recorded
• Better Information Management: Single platform allows for more efficient information management, reducing risk of errors and improving overall efficiency

The Americas experience

One of the first regions to receive the new global Cargo Connect was the Americas. We caught up with some of the team to get their thoughts on this new digital workplace tool. 

Anthony Mendez, Regional Cargo Services Support Manager

“As a project champion, I had the opportunity to see the app in its developmental stages. The app is designed to be very intuitive and less complicated than the previous systems the frontline teams worked with. People used to feel there were too many platforms to log in to. By unifying these platforms into one, Cargo Connect allows our teams to work fluidly and efficiently throughout their day. A happier working environment is a big win. Happier teams ultimately equal happier customers.”

Michael Arcangel, Cargo Duty Manager for Los Angeles and San Francisco 

“All the feedback has been positive and everyone is excited about what is to come when the app gets more functionality. My favourite feature is the Critical Lock photo log, where we can upload photos directly from our mobile phones.”

Gisselle Servellon, Cargo Lead Centralised Load Control Agent, Los Angeles

“Cargo Connect is very straightforward and user-friendly. My team members appreciate how much can be done in one app. It keeps us mobile and paper-free, as you can move around the ramp and still stay connected.”

Head of Cargo Global Operations and Cargo Connect project leader Fanny Chan is very pleased with progress of the new app, and looks forward to the developments that will come in new iterations. 

“The seamless integration of Photo Log and e-ramp functionalities marks a transformational milestone in our digital journey, establishing a robust platform for future innovation and operational excellence,” she says. “We are fully committed to evolving Cargo Connect into an even more intuitive and purpose-driven tool that empowers our teams and further enhances service delivery.”