eDGD solution digitizes entire process – Joint portal will result in time and cost savings – Pilot phase to begin in May

FRA/HH – Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), and IT service provider Dakosy have concluded a cooperation agreement for the implementation of a digital cargo portal at FRA for shippers of dangerous goods. Thus, for the first time worldwide, the entire dangerous goods process will be fully digitized. The portal communicates all shipment details and dangerous goods-specific data completely electronically through only one interface – from the shipper to the airline. The launch of a pilot phase is planned for early May. Pilot partners are the airline Lufthansa Cargo, the handling agents FCS and LUG, well-known representatives of the pharmaceutical industry as well as various forwarders.

Ulrich Wrage, CEO of DAKOSY AG, said: "With the shipper portal, we are solving another significant challenge of the air cargo supply chain. Our solution will considerably simplify processes for all users across company borders. The ever closer collaboration with Fraport AG as a strong partner for this innovative product allows us to contribute to drive forward the digital transformation in the air cargo industry on a consistent and ongoing basis."

The legislation prescribes that, for every dangerous goods shipment, a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) must be included with the shipment. Due to documentation errors, there are delays for a significant portion of dangerous goods. With the new portal, these errors are usually identified and corrected well before arrival at the airport. Additionally, time-consuming manual entries are no longer necessary. As a result, delays and related costs can be avoided.

Underlining the benefits of the new portal, Anke Giesen, Fraport AG’s Executive Director Operations, said: "The portal enables all players of the airfreight supply chain to make the process faster, more reliable, and more transparent. We at Frankfurt Airport are thus once again underscoring our position as an innovation leader in airfreight." The project is an ideal complement to the eAWB initiative launched by IATA, as it promotes the digitization of an additional airfreight document. Many renowned companies have already committed to participating in the pilot phase at FRA. In the future, the portal might be expanded by additional product groups. 

About Fraport AG and Frankfurt Airport
One of the leading players in the global airport business, Fraport AG offers a wide range of operational and management solutions based on over 90 years of aviation expertise. Fraport’s portfolio of companies spans four continents with activities at 30 airports worldwide. In business year 2016, the Fraport Group generated sales of €2.59 billion and profit of about €400 million. More than 145 million passengers in 2017 used airports in which Fraport has more than a 50 percent stake. In its Mission Statement, Fraport places the focus on customers. The Group’s commitment to ensuring a “good trip” to all passengers and travelers is also reflected in the corporate slogan: “Gute Reise! We make it happen”. This applies to all of Fraport’s business activities and services at Germany’s largest aviation hub in Frankfurt and the Group’s airports worldwide. At its Frankfurt Airport (FRA) home base, Fraport welcomed more than 64 million passengers and handled about 2.2 million metric tons of cargo (airfreight and airmail) in 2017. For the current winter timetable, FRA is served by 89 passenger airlines flying to 262 destinations in 100 countries worldwide. With 128 intercontinental destinations, almost half of all destinations are intercontinental (beyond Europe) – underscoring Frankfurt’s role as a leading hub in the global air transportation system. In Europe, Frankfurt Airport ranks second in terms of cargo tonnage and is the fourth busiest for passenger traffic. With about 55 percent of all passengers using Frankfurt as a connecting hub, FRA also has the highest transfer rate among the major European hubs.

Frankfurt Airport City has become Germany’s largest job complex at a single location, employing approximately 81,000 people at some 450 companies and organizations on site. Almost half of Germany’s population lives within a 200-kilometer radius of the FRA intermodal travel hub – the largest airport catchment area in Europe. FRA also serves as a magnet for other companies located throughout the economically vital Frankfurt/Rhine-Main-Neckar region. Thanks to synergies associated with the region’s dynamic industries, networked expertise, and outstanding intermodal transportation infrastructure, FRA’s world route network enables Germany’s export-oriented businesses to flourish in global markets. Likewise, FRA is a key gateway for companies wanting to access the huge European marketplace. Thus, Frankfurt Airport – which is strategically located in the heart of Europe – is one of the most important hubs in the global logistics chain.

About DAKOSY: DAKOSY Datenkommunikationssystem AG operates the Cargo Community System (FAIR@Link) for Frankfurt Airport and the Port Community System for the Port of Hamburg. Through cross-company communication, these digital platforms enable all participating companies and authorities to plan and efficiently handle transport processes. As one of the leading software companies for logistics, DAKOSY also offers digital solutions for international freight forwarding and customs clearance.