Cathay Cargo has helped the Port of Xiamen in the Chinese mainland launch paper-free operations. The process for air cargo from arrival to customs clearance is now entirely digitised, based on Cathay Cargo’s expertise with eAWBs (electronic air waybills) and its eFreight experience and leadership, combined with the Port of Xiamen’s single-window process.

The initiative was celebrated in Xiamen in November, and follows a year-long trial. It was launched with the e-Port of Xiamen under a project for APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) to facilitate paperless operations and promote supply chain connectivity across the region. APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In 2014, it created a network of ports known as the Asia-Pacific Model e-Port Network (APMEN).

Speaking after the November ceremony in Xiamen, Head of Cargo Services Planning and Systems Clera Lam said: ‘At Xiamen, the process of air cargo arriving to customs clearance is now completely paper-free. APMEN and Xiamen are promoting this as a model for the rest of the Chinese mainland, and they are also working on the export model from Xiamen.’

This paperless process is being used with Cathay Pacific’s four daily flights to Xiamen, and three other airlines have also signed up for the scheme. Lam added: ‘This reflects one pillar of our cargo strategy, which is to take the lead in the industry for innovation and digitisation.’

For more information on APEC and APMEN, click here.