‘Surge in pharma, e-com driving real-time shipment tracking demand’

The growth in the transport of pharma by air and the rapid rise in e-commerce, has led to an increase in demand for real-time shipment tracking, says Brendan Sullivan, Global Head – Cargo at IATA at the ongoing World Cargo Symposium 2024 in Hong Kong. He adds, “Shippers, cargo handlers and stakeholders want to know the procedures and requirements for the approval and use of tracking devices and data loggers. The updated IATA Interactive Cargo Guidance provides a common framework so that tracking devices can monitor the quality and accuracy of conditions of time and temperature sensitive goods.
While the journey towards digitalization is not without challenges, our call to action is clear; Governments must consistently implement global standards;
Supply chain partners need to collaborate to overcome shared challenges;
And the entire industry must align to ensure a unified and effective approach to digitalization.
To spearhead this alignment, IATA has introduced the Digitalization Charter to help the value chain give additional focus to this all-important areas. By adhering to the Charter’s principles—such as adopting industry-wide standards, championing sustainability, guaranteeing ethical technology use, and upholding digital leadership—the charter benchmarks excellence, security, and sustainability within the digital domain. I am delighted to announce Cathay Cargo, Champ Cargosystems, Global Logistics System (HK) Company Limited (GLSHK), IAG Cargo, IBS Software, LATAM Cargo and Lufthansa Cargo as the first signatories of the charter.”