Abu Dhabi Ports A news roundup

ATLP launches digital airfreight solutions to bolster Air Cargo

Service to streamline movement of shipments to and from aircrafts, enhance journey transparency and document processing

As part of ongoing efforts to accelerate the digitalisation of Abu Dhabi’s trade and logistics landscape and to further enhance the capabilities of the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP), Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group’s digital arm has introduced Digital Airfreight Solutions as part of the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP).

Inaugurated in May 2020 by HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP) is the first of its kind in the region.

It is developed and operated by Maqta Gateway, under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and aims to integrate and facilitate the operations of trade and logistics sectors, and link the sea, land, air, industrial and free zones with all authorities regulating these activities.

The Digital Airfreight Solutions, developed in close collaboration with key partners that include Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airport Services and Etihad Cargo, the new solution will streamline the movement of air cargo shipments to and from all five airports in Abu Dhabi.

Digital processing

Beyond digitalising and simplifying the processing of air cargo for the benefit of all stakeholders and customers involved, ATLP’s latest solutions will introduce new levels of efficiencies, including reducing waiting times by 80 percent, improving delivery time via customs integration, enhancing track and trace visibility, introducing digital payment channels as well as enhancing warehouse utilisation through an automated appointment system.

“On our journey to accelerate the digitalisation of trade and logistics in the region ATLP is taking the next steps towards enhancing transparency across the entire value chain and enabling stakeholders and customers to realise new efficiencies associated with the movement of air cargo to and from Abu Dhabi,” affirmed Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Head of Digital Cluster, AD Ports Group and CEO, Maqta Gateway.

“The ATLP digital airfreight solutions introduce an invaluable tool to ATLP to further consolidate Abu Dhabi’s trade ecosystem and accelerate the facilitation of trade across the UAE and beyond,” asserted Dr. Ali Husain Makki, Executive Director, Logistics & Trade Facilitation Sector, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

Additional capabilities

“We are confident that the additional capabilities of the ATLP will have a positive impact on airport and airlines operations by accelerating the movement of air cargo shipments,” stated Francois Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports.

Digital Airfreight Solutions have also reduced delivery time by 50 percent for both imports and exports. This was achieved thanks to the online submission of documents, enabling ground handlers to perform pre-checks and process shipments without waiting for the customer to arrive at the counter.

To ensure the successful implementation of these new solutions throughout the air freight ecosystem, Maqta Gateway recently signed an agreement with Etihad Aviation Group, under which the two parties will work together to deploy these digital solutions among all customers, partners, and stakeholders active within the air freight sector.

Doubling Air Cargo revenues

“With the industry estimating that world air cargo traffic will more than double in revenue worth over the coming two decades to US$ 578 billion tonnekilometre (RTK), the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is becoming digitally ready to secure a sizeable and justifiable market share,” observed Martin Drew, SVP Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group.

“The capabilities of the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform enables stakeholders across land, sea, air, and future rail, to not only conduct trade in a highly efficient and integrated digital approach, but it also allows users to access the services they need and to pay for them, all through a single-window interface,” noted Jubran Al Breiki, Director, Etihad Airport Services.

Maqta Gateway has also recently introduced a new inspection and clearance module, which links directly with Abu Dhabi Customs’ online services and other regulatory authorities and enable traders to manage their entire end-to-end cargo experience on ATLP’s single-window.

AD Ports Group inks Agreement to establish the 450,000sqm Metal Park in KIZAD

Agreement signed with Metal Park Investment ME

AD Ports Group recently signed an agreement with Metal Park Investment ME to establish an integrated metal hub in KIZAD that will cater to all industry verticals and offer flexibilities of scale to metal vendors, processors, and fabricators in the UAE.

Covering a total land area of 450,000sqm, the future upcoming Metal Park in KIZAD will be equipped with advanced facilities supporting storage and handling, processing, and fabrication activities, whilst offering access to research and development amenities, rental office space, and associated financial services.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Group CEO, AD Ports Group; Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster, and Saleh Shahrestani, Chairman, Metal Park Investment ME.

In addition to industry-related infrastructure, Metal Park offers customers a unique solution featuring production planning capabilities, easy entry and exit policies, and access to finance and human resources services to keep operations at optimal levels.

Furthermore, by using the most secure ERP system, businesses can cut down administration time and take advantage of industry-leading technologies to help their businesses reach new heights.

“Metal Park in KIZAD will create an ecosystem that helps metal service providers grow their business and adapt to market trends and conditions quickly and effectively, so they can plan for the future without constraint,” commented Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster.

“One of the defining points in the steel industry, Metal Park will revolutionise the steel fabrication industry and transform it into a winwin economy by providing a platform for metal services to be more efficient financially, economically and environmentally,” remarked Saleh Shahrestani, Chairman, Metal Park Investment ME.