AD Ports’ Maqta Gateway unveils Digital Airfreight Solutions with ATLP

By Salma C, Intern Reporter
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Digital Airfreight Solutions
Mr. Yousef Al Riyami, Chief Technology Officer, Maqta Gateway and Mr. Jubran Al Breiki, Director Etihad Airport Services during agreement signing ceremony

AD Ports Group’s digital arm, Maqta Gateway has launched Digital Airfreight Solutions with the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP) to accelerate the digitalization of Abu Dhabi’s trade and logistics landscape.

Launched in 2020, ATLP is the first of its kind official single window for trade in Abu Dhabi. It is being developed and operated by Maqta Gateway under the direction of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADAD). It aims to coordinate and facilitate the activities of the trade and logistics sectors and to link the maritime, land, air, industrial and free zone with all the authorities regulating these activities.

Developed in close collaboration with key partners including Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airport Services and, Etihad Cargo, the ‘Digital Air Freight Solutions’ will simplify Air Cargo’s shipments to and from five airports in Abu Dhabi.

ATLP’s latest solutions also help to reduce waiting time by 80 percent, improve delivery time through customs integration, increase track and trace visibility, introduce digital payment channels, and enhance warehouse utilization through an automated appointment system.

Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Head of Digital Cluster at AD Ports Group and CEO of Maqta Gateway, stated that “With the introduction of digital airfreight solutions into ATLP, we have passed a key milestone on our journey to accelerate the digitalization 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 realize new efficiencies associated with the movement of air cargo to and from Abu Dhabi. The continued evolution of ATLP is a testament to the leadership’s vision for a fully-integrated logistics ecosystem that positions Abu Dhabi as a leading trade, logistics, and economic hub powered by a formidable and future-ready digital foundation,” Dr. Noura added.

Dr. Ali Husain Makki, Executive Director of Logistics & Trade Facilitation Sector at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, remarked that “This latest step in the continued development of the Advanced Trade Logistics Platform marks an important step in Abu Dhabi’s rapid progress towards becoming a global hub for trade and logistics.

“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. We look forward to working closely with regional logistics leaders such as AD Ports Group, Etihad Airways to devise novel solutions that can be applied across the entire value chain,” Dr. Makki added.

Mr. Francois Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes the introduction of the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP)’ Digital Airfreight Solutions developed and operated by Maqta Gateway. It is a testament to how collaboration and innovation can help streamline processes to further reinforce Abu Dhabi’s competitive position as a hub for the movement of goods and international trade.

The introduction of Digital Airfreight Solutions under ATLP has brought an abundance of useful functionality to logistics operators and users of the platform.

Benefits of Digital Airfreight Solutions

  • Reducing the amount of paperwork needed for air cargo shipments by 90 percent
  • Cut down on unnecessary trips to the airport for air freight agents by 80 percent
  • Providing digital access to all required documentation
  • Online payments
  • Reduced the time required for the entire process down to six minutes from 1 hour
  • Improved staff efficiency by 50 percent
  • Reduced delivery time by 50 percent for both imports and exports.

Maqta Gateway recently signed an agreement with the Etihad Aviation Group, for the successful implementation of these new solutions across the Air Freight ecosystem. Under the agreement, both parties will work together to deploy these digital solutions among all customers and partners active in the Air Freight sector.

Mr. Martin Drew, SVP Sales and Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, stated that “This is a major stride forward in the industry’s bid to digitally transform the sector to produce wide-ranging benefits for operators and all stakeholders and builds an enhanced client offering and the momentum behind Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a global trade, cargo, and logistics hub.”

“And 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 tonne-kilometer (RTK) the emirate is becoming digitally ready to secure a sizeable and justifiable market share,” Mr. Drew added.

Mr. Jubran Al Breiki, Director Etihad Airport Services, remarked that “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.”

“The movement of air cargo to and from Abu Dhabi will be greatly enhanced with new levels of operational efficiency, bringing our customers, forwarders, and stakeholders on a common community platform, enabling faster-processing of goods, resulting in significant benefits to the air freight community,” Etihad Airport Services Director added.

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

Related: AD Ports Group to establish integrated Metal Park in KIZAD

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