The freight forwarding industry’s relatively slow uptake on the digitalization movement is beginning to gain steam as major players roll out electronic solutions and real-time data for their shipper customers. 

Kuehne + Nagel and Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo have teamed up to directly integrate their electronic booking systems, K+N.

The partnership directly connects K+N and Air France-KLM systems, in addition to providing access to ad-hoc quotes and dynamic pricing. This follows a proof of concept in which the carrier and freight forwarder used an API to match capacity to demand in real-time.

Rollout of the API will begin in Europe and South Asia Pacific.

Online bookings based on real-time capacity and demand could help eliminate some of the issues surrounding rolled cargo, a longstanding source of tension among shippers and carriers. Many major ocean carriers have started introducing instant bookings and quotes in a move toward greater transparency for shippers. 

Source: Supplychaindive