The year gone by pushed momentum back to air cargo. Demand for air cargo rose this year and several industries are choosing air cargo over maritime for rapid transit of cargo. Going forward, here are some trends related to technology in the air cargo industry as foreseen by Amar More, CEO and Co-founder, Kale Logistics Solutions.
AI 2.0 for logistics
Generative AI was the surprise trend last year wherein ChatGPT began ruling the world of technology and proved to be beneficial for all industries. Going forward, more players are foraying into the market, and it is making way for an AI-driven world. Most possibly, 2.0 version of the existing AI systems might come into place along with an industry-centric AI model for logistics.
Multimodal corridors
The world’s first digital freight corridor was conceptualised half a decade ago. While the momentum did not pick up then, industry folks are now understanding the importance of the same. Corridors connecting airports with ports and train stations as well as dry ports are becoming the norm. In 2024, the announcements on corridors will soar and set new benchmarks of operational efficiency.
Freighters & tech upgrade
Carrying cargo in passenger aircrafts is not viable anymore. This brings us to the utility of full body cargo aircraft that meets higher demand and transport cargo rapidly from the source to the destination. To add more to it, freighters are evolving by incorporating tech advancements and design innovations to enhance their efficiency, capacity, and environmental sustainability.
Smarter air cargo cold chain
Perishables are now shiftwed through air cargo as transporting through maritime takes months. Even though perishables are getting transported through cargo freighters, not essentially, they are kept in better temperature-controlled conditions. Therefore, a cold chain facility with a smart temperature control system will be the major requirement for freighters.
Sustainability goals
The pressure to go sustainable and meet ESG norms are building, and little has been done so far. Air cargo is under the radar of governments and global bodies to reduce carbon emissions. While frameworks and policies have been defined in 2023, execution is all set to take place in 2024 and the coming years.
