Schiphol, August 27th 2020
The Dutch air freight community platform Cargonaut started on the first of July with the renewal of all its IT systems. Cargonaut expects to complete the project within 2 years (July 1st, 2022). With the new system, Cargonaut will be able to meet the greater demand for information and data processing, such as the expected growth in e-commerce shipments. With the renewed platform, all customers and authorities can exchange data with each other in the easiest and fastest way possible (including via API links). The entire project is being carried out together with Royal Schiphol Group (“RSG”).
Background
The renewal is being done because Cargonaut’s systems are getting outdated, but also because governments and partners are setting new standards for data exchange in logistics and with the renewal Cargonaut will be ready for such future. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management together with Dutch Customs have adopted these requirements in the Digital Transport Strategy for freight transport (“DTS”). The main focus thereof is the creation of a single Basic Data Infrastructure (“BDI”) for the digitization of all forms of freight transport in the Netherlands. Cargonaut’s system is a building block in this. Within the BDI, logistics companies retain ownership of the data they generate and they can share this data in a controlled and, where necessary, protected environment. The BDI ensures faster data exchange, transparency, multiple use of data and a reduction in the administrative burden. For Cargonaut, the DTS means that it must have an IT system that is optimally prepared for the implementation of the BDI and the associated architecture principles.
New Cargonaut IT system is a state-of-the-art Port Community System
The new Cargonaut system will be a state-of-the-art Port Community System (“PCS”) that no longer runs in its own data centre but entirely in the cloud. All current Cargonaut services will be implemented in the new platform, and all customers (such as forwarders, airlines, handlers and carriers) will be connected to it. The project strategy is to first completely rebuild the existing systems on the PCS, to then test it extensively with all users, and finally build new functionalities on it.
Jonas van Stekelenburg, director of Cargonaut, about the new PCS: “The new system that Cargonaut is building together with Schiphol Group, will be future proof. On the one hand it is simply a replacement of outdated systems, on the other hand it is an improvement: the new PCS makes it easier for air freight parties to communicate with each other and with the government. It will also enable Dutch Customs to cope with the expected increase in e-commerce clearances in the coming years.”
E-commerce Proof
One of the advantages of the new PCS is that Cargonaut will be able to handle the expected increase the coming years of the flow of e-commerce in air freight. This is important for Dutch Customs, because e-commerce will lead to more and smaller shipments, which in turn will lead to more Customs declarations. Better data sharing therefore plays an important role in creating an efficient customs clearance process.
Royal Schiphol Group Aviation Marketing, Cargo and Customer Experience Director Maaike van der Windt: “The new Port Community System of Cargonaut provides a major advantage for the air freight community: good data sharing ensures a smooth flow of goods, which can also increase efficiency in the cargo chain. During the next 2 years, important milestones in this project will be shared with the community.”