Cathay Cargo and DB Schenker Elevate Logistics with Innovative API Technology

In a significant move towards digitalization in the freight industry, Cathay Cargo announced on Friday, February 23, 2024, the launch of a groundbreaking Application Programming Interface (API). This technological advancement provides global logistics giant DB Schenker, along with other leading forwarders such as Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding, and DSV, with direct access to Cathay Cargo’s Click & Ship booking platform. This integration allows these companies to check space availability, make bookings, and receive instant confirmations directly from Cathay Cargo’s extensive inventory.

The initiative is a part of Cathay Cargo’s ambitious digital transformation program aimed at enhancing the customer experience across all touchpoints and offering more service options at their fingertips. Tom Owen, Director of Cargo at Cathay Cargo, highlighted the objective behind these API links: to streamline the freight booking process, increase productivity, and provide customers with round-the-clock access to inventory through their own platforms. This move not only marks an improvement in efficiency for business transactions with Cathay Cargo but also strengthens the partnership with DB Schenker by joining other forwarders in this digital leap.

Asok Kumar, Executive Vice President of Global Air Freight at DB Schenker, emphasized the importance of having rapid access to spot pricing from air carrier partners. This critical feature enables DB Schenker to meet customer demands for competitive rates swiftly. The API connectivity integrated into the Transport Management System with Cathay Cargo aids the operations and procurement teams at DB Schenker globally, enhancing their service delivery.

Further advancing its customer-centric approach, Cathay Cargo introduced a new portal designed to facilitate easier connection for freight forwarders to the Click & Ship booking platform. This innovative portal provides forwarder developer teams with resources to explore Cathay Cargo’s API connections, perform testing, and understand technical requirements before embarking on actual development work. The portal aims to simplify the process for accessing Cathay Cargo’s inventory and booking services.

The API connection and developer portal are initiatives powered by Cathay Cargo’s innovation partner, Global Logistics System (HK) Company Limited (GLS). GLS is credited with designing the Click & Ship booking platform and spearheading other digitalization projects for Cathay Cargo.

With these developments, Cathay Cargo reaffirms its dedication to embracing new technologies that significantly enhance the booking experience for customers. Owen expressed excitement about offering the developer portal, which is expected to facilitate a smoother digital transition in the future. With API integration underway with various customers, Cathay Cargo is committed to remaining at the industry’s forefront by introducing new digital enhancements and services to meet the evolving needs of its customers.