LIMA, PE.- Digitalization, strengthening standards and security in supply chains will allow us to face trade policies such as those of the United States and conflicts such as the one in the Middle East, which Iran is waging against the United States-Israel axis.
According to Brendan Sullivan, global head of Cargo at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , the current system is stronger, but the environment is more demanding.
“For example, there is no guarantee that the tariff environment in place when a shipment is booked will still apply when it is loaded or delivered. Trade patterns can change rapidly, regions of origin can shift in a single season, and demand can redirect flows almost overnight. Supply chains must be agile enough to adapt in real time. Regulatory complexity is also increasing, with evolving advance data requirements, changes in import rules, and differing security expectations across markets,” he emphasized.
Under this scenario, Brendan Sullivan commented, within the framework of the 19th IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS), that the goal is to make cargo transport more efficient, with a clearer focus , through digitalization which, among other things, will allow seamless transshipment across borders, although today cargo data is still in fragmented systems, generating duplication, risk of delay and exposure to compliance.
“This is especially challenging in high-volume environments like e-commerce , where vast amounts of household passcard data must be kept fully aligned with airline master records across multiple systems and jurisdictions. This is where the ONE Record standard plays a critical role. And the direction is clear. Since January of this year, ONE Record has become the preferred method for cargo data exchange,” he explained.
Similarly, he said that IATA will launch the Air Cargo AI Excellence Hub tool to accelerate the safe and practical adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the cargo ecosystem. It will also introduce SME, a mobile and web application that will allow operational teams to access cargo and safety standards.
“The goal is simple but powerful: to use digitalization and AI to help airlines and the supply chain work together more easily and effectively,” he emphasized.
Brendan Sullivan explained that for cargo to move smoothly across borders, global standards must be implemented consistently, because if shipments face different data requirements, security formats, and inspection processes, it will create complexity and increase the risk of delays.
“Variations will always exist. But they must remain transparent, justified, and as aligned as possible with global standards, reinforcing security without creating unnecessary complexity. Alignment is not just a matter of regulations; it also depends on access to the infrastructure that enables cargo movement,” he stated.
Regarding safety, he said that while Annex 18 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) remains the global basis for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air, its modernization ensures that the regulation reflects operational reality and strengthens the entire supply chain against emerging threats.
“Security processes must evolve accordingly. The Cargo Shipping Security Declaration (CSD) is a critical compliance tool, but implementation is inconsistent. Interpretation varies by jurisdiction, and the adoption of electronic CSD solutions needs improvement. In many countries, it is still not used, resulting in manual processes, duplication, data inaccuracies, and avoidable delays. The direction is clear: security data must be consistently collected and transferred throughout the global supply chain,” he emphasized.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Evangelina del Toro / Correspondent / @GrupoT21
