Ethiopian. Cargo signs up to Freightos
Addis Ababa-headquartered Ethiopian Cargo is to join WebCargo by Freightos, the digital booking and payment platform used by the international freight industry, at the end of the month (March).
This will mean that Africa’s largest air cargo network – serving more than 145 destinations through a combination of dedicated freighters and passenger belly capacity – will be digitally bookable for forwarders.
Integration will incorporate availability of digital rates, quoting and ebooking as well as an interlining capabilities platform.
The WebCargo by Freightos platform allows freight forwarders to search, quote, and to book airline capacity in seconds rather than hours, with real-time ebooking and digital payments.
With Ethiopian Cargo on board, cargo agents will be able to book capacity from Ethiopia to key destinations including Europe, the US, China, India, Kenya and South Africa.
Pablo Pinillos, chief financial officer and interim chief executive of Freightos, said: “Global trade hasn’t only gotten more connected; it’s also gotten far more volatile.
“Access to speed and reliability matters more than big promises.
“With Ethiopian Cargo on our platform, forwarders will be able to unlock practical tools to move freight when capacity, routes and costs are constantly shifting, resulting in less friction, more optionality and fewer spreadsheets.”
Dereje Derero, managing director of Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, added: “Digital transformation is a core part of our growth strategy.
“As part of this transformation, we have been integrating various booking and payment solutions into our services to provide our customers with greater efficiency.
“Through our partnership with Freightos, we are enhancing our cargo services for customers, including freight forwarders worldwide, by offering digital rates, quoting and ebooking solutions with faster access and reliable service.”
Derero also noted: “This further strengthens our position as the continent’s leading cargo carrier.”
Digital transformation
Yesterday (March 11), WebCargo by Freightos revealed its analysis of trends in the last five years of cargo bookings on the platform and concluded that the airfreight industry – both carriers and forwarders – has taken major strides in digitalisation.
The analysis relates to more than 1.5m digital air cargo bookings placed over 2021-26.
Carriers first rapidly expanded their digital capacity footprint, then learned to optimise that offering for their key lanes – while along the way improving their operational performance and the service provided to forwarders, Freightos said.
