INTERVIEW - Scott McCorquodale: Cargo Guardian wins praise from IATA - and it could be rolled out to global markets
airCargo #236 archive stories
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
TERRORISM and security threats to flights have resulted in global aviation organisations ICAO and IATA creating improved tracking systems for cargo. The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) - and in particular the eCSD - provides regulators with an audit trail of how, when and by whom cargo has been secured along the supply chain. Its objective is to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements, ensuring that each consignment received by an aircraft operator or a regulated agent comes with standardised documentation, either on the air waybill or on a separate declaration. To avoid a plethora of different security declarations, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) - in cooperation with the industry and regulators – has developed a standard CSD and an electronic version , the eCSD. Australia too is reviewing the new legislation and regulations which have seen CSD and eCSD recently upgraded to full IATA Resolution 651. To meet the new regulatory requirements, Cargo Community Network (CCN) has developed new integrated software to assist the various sectors of industry particularly CTO’s and airlines. AirCargo Asia-Pacific spoke to Scott McCorquodale, general manager Australia and New Zealand for CCN (pictured), to find out how the new software is different and why it deserves further examination.
AirCargo Asia-Pacific: What is the new software program called and what are its benefits to forwarders? Scott McCorquodale: The new solution is called Cargo Guardian. The solution provides benefits across the industry in the area of compliance management for safety and security. As you know, both CASA and OTS here in Australia have quite comprehensive programs in relation to their areas of responsibility. But there can at times be challenges for industry in managing their compliance. Things such as Dangerous Goods Acceptance Training, and Security Awareness Training are two in particular. Cargo Guardian is a tool to help forwarders stay on top of these requirements, by monitoring when training expires, and keeping staff fully informed. The training organisations (RTOs) who provide training to industry will also receive a benefit from the solution, as they also have access and a role to play. We also verify the industry against the RACA list published by OTS on a daily basis, so that all CTOs and airlines can be assured that they are always receiving cargo from valid RACAs. Oh, and by the way, Cargo Guardian is also a comprehensive solution for industry to implement the IATA CSD and eCSD, under IATA Resolution 651, integrating with existing technical process for data re-use. So there really are multiple benefits.
You mentioned IATA CSD and eCSD. How does it help with that ? Well, IATA has been promoting the standard security declaration (CSD) and eCSD for a while now, and up until now it has been a ‘Recommended Practice’. There is clearly a lot of support for the concept of the industry-standard Cargo Security Declaration (CSD), and in particular the electronic version of that, the eCSD. That support comes from the likes of FIATA, the WCO, GACAG and so forth, as well as regulators in various countries. One of the issues we see is that at the forwarder, GHA and airline sides, there are varying capabilities with generation and acceptance of CSD/eCSD, and full industry-wide capability will take some time. With Cargo Guardian, we have a solution that forwarder, airline and CTO can use to benefit from CSD & eCSD. And now that it is an IATA Resolution, the industry has a clear obligation to commence using CSD & eCSD.
How much does it cost and how is it priced (ie, per screen/user or per organisation)? We’re still in the process of finalising the commercial model. There will be more information on that at a later stage.
Who developed the solution? The solution has been designed and fully developed here in Australia, by our industry specialists at CCN, and with detailed consideration of our local process and requirements. Which on the basis of compliance management for Australian regulations really was vital. Having said that, there is certainly potential for the use of Cargo Guardian in other countries, which is something we are currently exploring. How is the system accessed? Does it require an equipment upgrade? The solution is fully internet based, and accessible over multiple platforms such as traditional browsers as well as tablets and smart phones. Having said that, there is also comprehensive integration with the existing industry process of data transfer, via FWB, from an input and output perspective. And we also plan to further develop integration with the various sectors.
Is training necessary and is it available? Whilst the solution is naturally very intuitive, as with anything new, there is always some level of training required. This will all be delivered on-line for efficiency for us and the customers.
Did CCN operate a test phase prior to launch? Absolutely. And we are to some degree still in a test phase. But the system has been processing live production data from across the industry for a number of months now.
Was there any feedback on the test phase? Yes. It has been very positive indeed. The solution has been presented to numerous key players across the industry, from airlines to CTOs, forwarders, RTOs, associations and regulators. I think everyone can see the potential and the benefits that it brings industry. We were also most encouraged that Cargo Guardian was highly regarded in the recent IATA Global Air Cargo Innovation Awards announced last month at the IATA WCS in Shanghai. We made the top 5 innovations across the industry globally, which considering our submission was only lodged at the 11th hour, was quite an achievement we think, and a credit to our design and development teams.
What has the take up been so far? We are most encouraged, but like anything new, it will take a while for the full potential to be realised. But we have invested a great deal in this solution, which we would not have done without an absolute confidence in its future. Cargo Guardian actually places the Australian air cargo industry in an enviable position where it could lead the industry globally on the takeup of CSD and eCSD. Within a matter of weeks (from now), Australia could be leading the entire industry on CSD and eCSD compliance. Now that would be a good thing we think.
INTERVIEW - Scott McCorquodale: Cargo Guardian wins praise from IATA - and it could be rolled out to global markets
airCargo #236 archive stories
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
TERRORISM and security threats to flights have resulted in global aviation organisations ICAO and IATA creating improved tracking systems for cargo. The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) - and in particular the eCSD - provides regulators with an audit trail of how, when and by whom cargo has been secured along the supply chain. Its objective is to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements, ensuring that each consignment received by an aircraft operator or a regulated agent comes with standardised documentation, either on the air waybill or on a separate declaration. To avoid a plethora of different security declarations, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) - in cooperation with the industry and regulators – has developed a standard CSD and an electronic version , the eCSD. Australia too is reviewing the new legislation and regulations which have seen CSD and eCSD recently upgraded to full IATA Resolution 651. To meet the new regulatory requirements, Cargo Community Network (CCN) has developed new integrated software to assist the various sectors of industry particularly CTO’s and airlines. AirCargo Asia-Pacific spoke to Scott McCorquodale, general manager Australia and New Zealand for CCN (pictured), to find out how the new software is different and why it deserves further examination.
AirCargo Asia-Pacific: What is the new software program called and what are its benefits to forwarders? Scott McCorquodale: The new solution is called Cargo Guardian. The solution provides benefits across the industry in the area of compliance management for safety and security. As you know, both CASA and OTS here in Australia have quite comprehensive programs in relation to their areas of responsibility. But there can at times be challenges for industry in managing their compliance. Things such as Dangerous Goods Acceptance Training, and Security Awareness Training are two in particular. Cargo Guardian is a tool to help forwarders stay on top of these requirements, by monitoring when training expires, and keeping staff fully informed. The training organisations (RTOs) who provide training to industry will also receive a benefit from the solution, as they also have access and a role to play. We also verify the industry against the RACA list published by OTS on a daily basis, so that all CTOs and airlines can be assured that they are always receiving cargo from valid RACAs. Oh, and by the way, Cargo Guardian is also a comprehensive solution for industry to implement the IATA CSD and eCSD, under IATA Resolution 651, integrating with existing technical process for data re-use. So there really are multiple benefits.
You mentioned IATA CSD and eCSD. How does it help with that ? Well, IATA has been promoting the standard security declaration (CSD) and eCSD for a while now, and up until now it has been a ‘Recommended Practice’. There is clearly a lot of support for the concept of the industry-standard Cargo Security Declaration (CSD), and in particular the electronic version of that, the eCSD. That support comes from the likes of FIATA, the WCO, GACAG and so forth, as well as regulators in various countries. One of the issues we see is that at the forwarder, GHA and airline sides, there are varying capabilities with generation and acceptance of CSD/eCSD, and full industry-wide capability will take some time. With Cargo Guardian, we have a solution that forwarder, airline and CTO can use to benefit from CSD & eCSD. And now that it is an IATA Resolution, the industry has a clear obligation to commence using CSD & eCSD.
How much does it cost and how is it priced (ie, per screen/user or per organisation)? We’re still in the process of finalising the commercial model. There will be more information on that at a later stage.
Who developed the solution? The solution has been designed and fully developed here in Australia, by our industry specialists at CCN, and with detailed consideration of our local process and requirements. Which on the basis of compliance management for Australian regulations really was vital. Having said that, there is certainly potential for the use of Cargo Guardian in other countries, which is something we are currently exploring. How is the system accessed? Does it require an equipment upgrade? The solution is fully internet based, and accessible over multiple platforms such as traditional browsers as well as tablets and smart phones. Having said that, there is also comprehensive integration with the existing industry process of data transfer, via FWB, from an input and output perspective. And we also plan to further develop integration with the various sectors.
Is training necessary and is it available? Whilst the solution is naturally very intuitive, as with anything new, there is always some level of training required. This will all be delivered on-line for efficiency for us and the customers.
Did CCN operate a test phase prior to launch? Absolutely. And we are to some degree still in a test phase. But the system has been processing live production data from across the industry for a number of months now.
Was there any feedback on the test phase? Yes. It has been very positive indeed. The solution has been presented to numerous key players across the industry, from airlines to CTOs, forwarders, RTOs, associations and regulators. I think everyone can see the potential and the benefits that it brings industry. We were also most encouraged that Cargo Guardian was highly regarded in the recent IATA Global Air Cargo Innovation Awards announced last month at the IATA WCS in Shanghai. We made the top 5 innovations across the industry globally, which considering our submission was only lodged at the 11th hour, was quite an achievement we think, and a credit to our design and development teams.
What has the take up been so far? We are most encouraged, but like anything new, it will take a while for the full potential to be realised. But we have invested a great deal in this solution, which we would not have done without an absolute confidence in its future. Cargo Guardian actually places the Australian air cargo industry in an enviable position where it could lead the industry globally on the takeup of CSD and eCSD. Within a matter of weeks (from now), Australia could be leading the entire industry on CSD and eCSD compliance. Now that would be a good thing we think.
TERRORISM and security threats to flights have resulted in global aviation organisations ICAO and IATA creating improved tracking systems for cargo. 
