SCHIPHOL Cargo, Cargonaut, KLM Cargo and Air Cargo Netherlands are among the signatories to a revolutionary new information exchange between parties in the Dutch logistics chain.

Signed in the presence of Melanie Schultz van Haegen, the Netherlands minister of infrastructure and environment, the ‘Neutral Logistics Information Platform’ (NLIP) will give Holland’s logistics sector a competitive advantage in Europe, says a statement.

Traditional air cargo documentation attracts some 30 pieces of paper for every shipment, and is estimated to create the equivalent of 80 B747 freighter-loads of paper every year.

E-freight eliminates re-keying of data, reduces cost, speeds up processes and eliminates errors and wastage.

The Dutch initiative will enable all supply chain partners to input information only once, and then share it throughout the entire chain. Originators of information will control who has access to it, and when.

The aim of NLIP is to assist shippers, logistics providers, ports and government departments to optimise supply chains, reduce administration and work more efficiently.

Enno Osinga, Schiphol Cargo’s senior vice-president, says: “This is an exciting and ground-breaking initiative. We strongly support any move to drive inefficiencies from the supply chain.”

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