THE Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Limited (HAFFA), has warned of massive cargo loss unless the territory increased its computer savvy, but also said it had won support for an e-hub proposal that addreses the problem.
HAFFA's Supply Chain e-Processing Hub plan aims to help local businesses mesh with e-freight and e-commerce expectations of such bodies as the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
"HAFFA, together with its technology partner, Tradelink, has developed the e-hub proposal with the aim of benefiting all industry stakeholders and Hong Kong as a whole," said HAFFA chairman Paul Tsui.
The association plans to develop the e-hub as well as provide financial assistance to help small and medium size businesses to migrate to the new platform.
The e-hub has been developed to "cope with the impending global trend of e-commerce and the need to develop high-value-added logistics and trade services", said Dr Tsui.
"Hong Kong is no longer the only choice to export shipments from the mainland; the status quo will further weaken our competitiveness. The development of e-hub is essential and crucial to maintaining Hong Kong's competitive edge.
"We cannot adopt a wait-and-see approach - we need to act now," Dr Tsui declared.
As a cloud-based solution, the proposed e-hub will enable all parties along the supply chain to access, process, add and accumulate data pertaining to a shipment or transaction.
HAFFA proposes a three-tiered implementation of the e-hub, each with a pilot programme before to full operation.
Stage one would connect freight forwarders, carriers and cargo terminal operators; stage two would add relevant government agencies, while stage three would connect to shippers.
The next two stages would add connections to other industry communities, such as banks, insurers and financial institutions and overseas national single windows.
"It is crucial that the industry quickly achieves a similar reputation in cargo data exchange. In the last couple of years, Hong Kong has lost its top container port status," said Dr Tsui.
As a neutral common platform, the e-hub will provide a cost-effective solution for the trade and logistics industries for cross-border e-commerce, facilitate data flow and enhance the IT capabilities of SMEs along the supply chain.
Supporting the initiative are the Hong Kong Airport Authority, the Association of Aircargo Truckers, CFS & Logistics Association, Container Terminal Operators Association and the Liner Shipping Association.
Other supporters include the Hong Kong Logistics Association, Sea Transport and Logistics Association, International Air Transport Association, Logistics Cargo Supervisors Association, the British Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Chamber of Hong Kong Logistics Industry, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Goods Vehicle Fleet Owners Association, the General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the HK Institute of Purchasing & Supply.
WORLD SHIPPING
15 July 2014 - 20:28
HAFFA warns of mass cargo loss if HK fails to step up digital game
THE Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Limited (HAFFA), has warned of massive cargo loss unless the territory increased its computer savvy, but also said it had won support for an e-hub proposal that addreses the problem.
WORLD SHIPPING
15 July 2014 - 20:28
HAFFA warns of mass cargo loss if HK fails to step up digital game
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