The cargo ecosystem is complex, making it essential to involve all stakeholders participating in that airfreight market, encouraging collaboration and developing common standards.
OpenCargoLab by Airbus has been launched as an initiative to foster end-to-end collaboration among all air cargo industry stakeholders, supporting a lively exchange among industry players and bringing together knowledge and experience from their perspectives.
“We’re taking with the OpenCargoLab initiative. We believe that only through a fruitful partnership driven by frequent exchanges can innovation spirit be taken to a higher level, increasing the chances of turning ideas into action,” Marvin Ehrmann, Head of Airbus’ OpenCargoLab, said.
“The airfreight market is dynamic and fast-changing in terms of market developments and goods to be transported worldwide. However, looking at airfreight processes and setups/infrastructure being in place, one can state that almost no innovations have been implemented on a wider level during the last decades when looking at cargo systems and procedures.”
Powered by partnerships
The OpenCargoLab orchestrates the entire airfreight process from the sender to the receiver, bringing together an expert team from CHAMP Cargosystems, Fraport, KLM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Swissport.
“By collaborating with our partners, we aim to make the airfreight ecosystem’s end-to-end process chain more efficient, straightforward, and resilient,” Ehrmann highlighted
“We’re happy to have gathered a very good mix of industry experts, including airports, a globally operating cargo airline, a freight forwarder, and an IT provider.
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Efficient operations
Looking at the air cargo market, one key mission is to improve its efficiency while aiming for a low CO2 footprint. The area with the greatest potential to do so is digitalisation.
As such, the OpenCargoLab strongly focuses on discussing and developing ideas for digital solutions with added value for the end-to-end airfreight process.
“At the end of 2024, a new Cargo Test Center will be launched at Airbus’ site in Bremen. There, a replica of the A350F fuselage with the large cargo door will be installed. This setup is called Cargo “0” for verification and de-risking purposes,” Ehrmann revealed.
“The Test Rig is a state-of-the-art setup for directly testing all sorts of digital solutions and their effects in the frame of the Smart Freighter idea. It is a Real-World Lab, providing a platform where new functionalities are conceived, tested, developed, and validated on test benches, mock-ups, or even airports.”
READ: Airbus establishes an OpenCargoLab with leading airfreight industry partners
Supporting growth
Airbus has forecast significant growth of the global freight market by 50% by 2042. Specifically in the Asia-Pacific region, continued rapid economic growth means this market remains highly promising for modern airfreight business with digital-savvy hubs.
Airbus anticipates demand for around 400 widebody freighters, including new builds and conversions, in Asia-Pacific over the next 20 years. This represents more than 25% of the global demand for 1,490 cargo aircraft in the above 40-tonne segment.
“The contribution of the OpenCargoLab is to further push ideas forward that help create a more efficient and sustainable airfreight process with the help of digital solutions,” Ehrmann stated.
“This reduces the number of necessary resources in the overall airfreight process, saving costs and CO2 emissions while ensuring a faster and more transparent shipping process.”
