Global Logistics System Hong Kong (GLSHK), a strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has played a key advisory role in shaping the foundation and standards of the IATA ONE Record protocol for its customers.
Recently, GLSHK enabled Cathay Cargo to become the first carrier to implement ONE Record protocols in daily operations with select freight forwarders in Mainland China and Hong Kong. This advancement allows them to exchange electronic air waybill (eAWB) and shipment status information via an application programming interface (API) designed in compliance with ONE Record data protocols.
Remarkably, this milestone was achieved one year ahead of IATA’s target implementation date. The success was made possible by GLSHK’s digital interface, which it designed, coordinated, and hosted. Simon Ng, Chief Executive of GLSHK, stated:
“We are committed to forward-thinking solutions and dedicated to empowering our customers to move faster and further with the industry. In this instance, we oversaw the technical design and coordination between Cathay Cargo and Sinotrans Hong Kong Air Transportation Development. Our role in this milestone was to facilitate data exchange in the ONE Record format between the two parties.”
GLSHK’s involvement with ONE Record dates back to its inception, while its partnership with Cathay Cargo began in 2019. That year, GLSHK launched an API service using the ONE Record format, enabling freight forwarders to track and trace shipments and exchange air waybill data with airlines. In 2023, working closely with Cathay Cargo, GLSHK managed the technical design and coordination across multiple stakeholders, leading to the successful day-to-day implementation of ONE Record with Sinotrans in both Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, GLSHK aims to integrate the ONE Record standard into its suite of products, starting with EzyCargo. Ng explained:
“This integration will streamline processes, reducing time, effort, and costs for airlines and forwarders while enabling seamless data sharing across the logistics chain.”
Even before the full transition next year, GLSHK’s technology is already compliant with IATA’s ONE Record standards, ensuring forwarders, airlines, ground-handling agents, and other stakeholders benefit from increased efficiency and visibility in shipment processing.
Tom Owen, Cathay’s Director of Cargo, praised GLSHK’s contributions:
“GLSHK is our strategic airfreight digital enabler. Its expertise has helped our forwarder customers align with ONE Record protocols using APIs. These projects have demonstrated clear benefits, including efficiency and greater transparency. GLSHK has played an integral role in positioning Cathay Cargo as a leader in air cargo digitalization.”
Wen Xuan Zang, Director of Digitalisation at Sinotrans, echoed this sentiment:
“We were thrilled to be the first forwarder to partner with Cathay Cargo—enabled by GLSHK—in the roll-out of ONE Record for data communication. This innovation is set to revolutionize our operations, enhancing efficiency and transparency in cargo shipment processes. We look forward to setting new industry standards with Cathay Cargo and GLSHK.”
As the first technology service provider to run IATA’s complete ONE Record testing suite, GLSHK ensures its API remains fully compliant. Customers can rely on GLSHK’s expertise to guide them through their own ONE Record API implementations from start to finish.
Henk Mulder, Head of Digital Cargo at IATA, highlighted the significance of this achievement:
“IATA’s ONE Record data-sharing standard offers an intelligent, decentralized data infrastructure, allowing stakeholders to securely access relevant data and receive real-time updates to drive their logistics processes. I am delighted to see this real-world implementation of seamless communication between cargo stakeholders.”
With GLSHK at the forefront of this digital transformation, the air cargo industry is poised for greater efficiency, transparency, and innovation.