In a significant development for the freight industry, Cathay Cargo has inaugurated a new application programming interface (API) that allows global forwarder DB Schenker to access the Click & Ship booking platform through its internal systems. This initiative enables the forwarder to efficiently check space, make bookings, and receive instant confirmation from Cathay Cargo’s inventory. This advancement is part of Cathay Cargo’s larger strategy to digitise its services, aiming to improve customer experiences by offering more accessible service options directly from their platforms.
Major forwarders such as Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding, DSV, and now DB Schenker, can harness the capabilities of Click & Ship via their own systems, reflecting Cathay Cargo’s commitment to digitally enhancing customer interactions.
Tom Owen, Director of Cargo at Cathay Cargo, shared insights into the technology’s impact, “At Cathay Cargo, we continue to use digital technologies in order to improve the efficiency in doing business with our customers. These API links are designed to improve the freight booking experience and increase productivity by offering customers access to our inventory 24/7 via their own platforms. We are delighted to enhance our partnership with DB Schenker though this new API link, who now join our other connected forwarder partners.”
Asok Kumar, DB Schenker’s Executive Vice President of Global Air Freight, underscored the operational benefits of the direct API connectivity, “The direct API connectivity built into the Transport Management System with our preferred carrier partner Cathay Cargo is supporting our Operations and Procurement teams worldwide to achieve this goal. This great collaboration between DB Schenker and Cathay Cargo serves to further strengthen our already well-established relationship and cooperation.”
Cathay Cargo is also facilitating the connection between freight forwarders and the Click & Ship booking platform through the introduction of a new portal. This portal is designed to assist forwarders’ developer teams in understanding Cathay Cargo’s API connections, enabling them to perform tests and grasp the technical requirements before beginning actual development.
The API connection to DB Schenker and the creation of the new developer portal are part of Cathay Cargo’s digitalisation efforts, developed in partnership with Global Logistics System (HK) Company Limited (GLS). GLS has also been a key player in designing the Click & Ship booking platform and leading other digitalisation projects for Cathay Cargo.
Reflecting on the broader implications of these digital enhancements, Owen stated, “We’re delighted to be able to offer this developer portal, which will make the digital transition quicker and more straightforward in future. API integration is currently ongoing with a range of customers, demonstrating our commitment to embracing new technologies that materially improve the overall booking experience for them. We are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry with new digital enhancements and services in the development pipeline this year to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
