JOY ORLEK A MONTH since the introduction of the New Air Cargo Permit for the collection and delivery of goods in the cargo area of OR Tambo International Airport, agents appear to be missing out on the added-value security benefits of the system. Introduced on March 1, it electronically identifies the name of the person drawing the cargo and his signature. But its application extends far beyond this basic principle. Airlink Cargo managing director and chairman of the Air Cargo Operators’ Committee (Acoc), Alwyn Rautenbach, explained. “When an appointed representative of a freight agent arrives to draw cargo we scan their permit and the system brings up their picture and signature which we print out and staple to the release. “But if the forwarder is expecting several pieces, he can stipulate what should be collected, preventing unauthorised ‘leakage’.” Rautenbach is looking forward to the day when every piece is bar-coded. “Warehouse security will then scan the item and his own ID permit as it leaves the warehouse, establishing the exact time the cargo left the warehouse, who received it and who issued the cargo from the warehouse. The process also allows easier search on CCTV in case of any query like damages for example. Forwarders can use the same system to scan the cargo into their warehouse, enabling them to track every piece of cargo every step of the way. “That means that if something happens en route they know exactly where the misdemeanour occurred.” The system also allows them to track driver productivity because they have a record of the time it takes for their trucks to return to their facility. “The whole process becomes a lot more traceable and trackable.” SA Revenue Service can use the system to check its releases – and with more electronic control, false release documents can be prevented. “Because it’s all electronically driven, the forwarder has real time information at his fingertips,” says Rautenbach. “If a customer phones for his goods, the IVS system can track exactly where they are and how they got there.” According to Rautenbach a number of agents are merely using the permit to identify the person drawing the cargo and his signature. “A little more effort would add up to a lot more benefit for them.” Acoc and the SA Association of Forwarders, who motivated the move to the new system, are considering running a series of workshops to provide the agents with the tools to use it to their own best benefit. If you’re interested, email joyo@nowmedia.co.za and we will forward your name to the relevant party.
