DOHA: Qatar Airways Cargo and Qatar Customs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of electronic air waybill (e-AWB), or e-freight system as part of efforts to introduce paperless transactions for cargo shipments, a press statement said yesterday.
With the e-AWB, there is no need to print, handle or archive paper AWBs. e-AWB brings accuracy, confidentiality and efficiency by reducing operational costs and speeding up delivery of air freight shipments.
The MoU was signed earlier yesterday by Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo Ulrich Ogiermann and Mohammed Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Operations and Risk Analysis Department Manager of Customs, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
The agreement will bring Qatar Airways one step closer towards electronic freight, also known as e-freight, with the intention to eliminate the requirement for the paper air waybill. The airline will now implement paperless freight transactions for shipments originating and transiting through Doha, as well as for import shipments into the country.
Ogiermann said: “The many benefits of moving into paperless transactions is greatly understood by all those of who handle a large number of cargo transactions on a daily basis. The signing of the SOP is a stepping stone to implementing the electronic air waybill, which is highly beneficial to the cargo industry. We are looking forward to greater efficiency by introducing electronic air waybill shipments.”
Ahmed bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Chairman of the General Authority of Customs, said: “The Air Waybill system will integrate our customs clearance systems with the existing electronic databases in Qatar. When operational, these systems will lead to simplifying travel procedures, reducing operational costs and saving time. Eventually, these systems will lead to the wider implementation of smart governance and help us to achieve Qatar’s Vision 2030.”
Qatar Airways, Qatar Customs, Qatar Aviation Services and IATA have jointly developed the procedure to implement the e-AWB.
Qatar Airways accepts e-AWB shipments at more than 20 stations in its network and transports 14 percent of its network air waybills under e-AWB process, on feasible e-AWB lanes.
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