The Logistics Community System for Bahrain
The fastest way to send airfreight is on-line. Electronic Commerce is helping to change the air cargo industry, to speed up the flow of information and lets users track and trace their consignments.
These sweeping changes to air cargo lie behind the introduction of the new Logistics Community System in Bahrain. CAA, Bahrain Airport Services and Bahrain TradaNet (BTN) are leading the way in preparing for the future, and giving all of the participants a competitive edge against the other cargo operations in the Gulf.
Connecting Bahrain to the world
The introduction of BLCS will provide user access to the world-wide network of other cargo communities, enabling the paperless exchange of data, information and messages between freight forwarders, airlines, cargo handling agents, Customs, shippers and consignees in other parts of the world.
Key Benefits Explained
- What are the benefits to the State of Bahrain of using the BLCS?
- The system will help to integrate all sectors of Bahrain economy with the logistics community
- Create an opportunity for Bahrain’s businesses to reach global markets and
compete more effectively
- Important for preparing the business community for WTO compliance
- Transfer of high technology into Bahrain and growth of a new industry sector
- Major improvement in economic efficiency by cutting out waste, reducing cycle
time, and improving business processes
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Major contribution to the environment by reducing paper consumption
In some areas Bahrain is already linked to the global world of air cargo because we trade with other countries around the world. But, more and more of our trading partners are "going electronic" in their dealings with others.
We want to make it easy for them to do business with us. And, to encourage new ways of doing new business with us, too. The BLCS will help to achieve these aims because it will link us electronically to our overseas trading partners, and remember the system selected is the first of it’s kind in the Gulf.
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What are the benefits for Airlines?
There are many benefits for the Airlines, below we have explained some of the more obvious benefits that apply. In your meeting with your Community Manager he will be glad to expand with you on these.
- Receive immediate & automatic updates of consignment status at Bahrain Int’l airport, for Imports, Exports and Transit flows.
- Receive & respond to space availability, rate inquiries & booking requests.
- Receive Master Airway Bills electronically. Electronic Submission of Freight Manifests to Customs Authorities.
- Major cut in the volume of "flight gone" calls airlines get from forwarders, as the system will receive & respond to their consignment tracking inquiries Receive & provide unsolicited status updates.
- What are the benefits for Freight Forwarders
- Track and Monitor your consignment online
- Electronic Mail & Marketing Communication with Trading Community via ACE web site.
- Space inquiry capability & on-line bookings to the major airlines.
- Consignment Tracking capability & constant supply of automatic, unsolicited FSU (freight status update messages) from the airline host cargo reservation systems.
- Electronic submission of all air cargo documents.
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Additional Information
No more "post-flight" calls! - Every forwarder works unsociable hours telephoning the airlines to "post-flight check" on a critical shipment. Everyone in the business has waited on the phone to obtain the weekend’s uplift details, or stood over the fax machine late one night to transmit the day’s manifests to their correspondent partner forwarder.
That’s a lot of time and effort in post flights that we save you, leaving you free to talk to the customer using the data automatically presented online and, you can interrogate the BAS system on-line, when a customer calls with an urgent enquiry.
BLCS puts you in control of the key business data. Track & trace features are available online 24 hours a day.
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Book it, ship it and track it
ACE enables on-line electronic bookings of space on the airline and the tracking of consignments - both inbound and outbound - from the moment of departure through to final delivery.
Air cargo studies have proved that the average airway bill is keyed in to different computer systems some 15 times during the movement of international airfreight. The BCLS will enable all users to save time and money in this activity. It will also offer automatic, electronic track and trace features - another time waster for most forwarders!
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Are there any benefits for Customs?
Indeed, the system provides them with:
- Receive cargo manifests electronically from Air Carriers.
- Management reporting and air cargo statistics access.
- Online access to BAS Ground Handling System at the airport.
How does the BLCS work?
The normal problem when linking the air cargo business is that the major participants, airlines, transit sheds, freight forwarders, shippers, consignees and Customs authorities all use various different types of data format for sending their messages from one computer system to another.
Airline cargo reservation systems, also called CRS for short, use IATA Cargo-IMP messages.
Ground handling agents, or GHA’s, systems use a mixture of Cargo-IMP and other formats.
Forwarders computer systems often use UN-EDIFACT, Cargo-IMP or the American standard (known as ANSI X12) form of EDI messaging.
National Customs authorities around the world have standardised on UN-EDIFACT formats and have developed their own message set for the input of electronic Customs Declarations. These have been ratified and approved by WCO the World Customs Authority under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
BLCS solves the problem of different participants with different computer systems. All BLCS users can exchange business information about their air cargo movements without having to re-key the information into their own computer system.
Using BTN’s Cargo Community System as the message exchange speeds up the information flow and cuts out the data entry mistakes.
All parties connect to a central computer (the CCS message switch) that performs two jobs. It acts as a message switch and also as a data converter between different message formats and data types.
In this way, an airline that only sends Cargo-IMP messages can link to a forwarder who only sends EDIFACT messages, as the BTN community message switch takes care of the data translations and conversions between each party in the community.
In BLCS all of these forms of electronic information are managed by one system - BTN’s system, which uses EDI - Electronic Data Interchange.
Most frequently asked questions answered
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Is Bahrain the first country to do this?
No!. The system consists of many parts, each of which is used around the world individually; the Bahrain solution brings these together as one solution. So you can be confident in the knowledge that organisations such as key cargo hubs such as New York and many others are already using the system.
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Has the Bahrain Government been involved in the creation of the Bahrain Logistics Community System
Indeed they have. The selection of Bahrain TradaNet to create the Community system was made after the evaluation of many alternative bids from similar organisations from around the world. BTN was chosen for many reasons, cost factors, support availability, and relevant experience in the logistics marketplace.
Additionally the Ministries of Finance and Transportation have been consulted by the C.A.A. during the selection process. Culminating in the agreements for the tariffs, which have been approved by both Ministries to ensure they are fair and equitable.
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When is the BLCS starting?
It has already started.
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Why has the Bahrain Logistics Community been created?
The BLC has been formed for many reasons, including the need for the automation of cargo handing in and out of Bahrain. This will create for Bahrain (and therefore the entire community) an opportunity to be seen as a leading Gulf State to which trade documentation is automated and thereby simplified processes are put in place. This initiative is the first of its kind in the region and will boost Bahrain’s image as a modern, technologically advanced cargo hub of the region. In summary, we want to be seen as a good place to do business with - and through.
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What will membership cost me?
We have a small subscription charges which will enable you to gain access to the service.
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My organisation is quite small is it economical for me to join?
Yes. The CAA has made sure that the pricing structure is fair to all subscribers regardless of size.
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Will I need to buy new computer hardware?
That depends on what computers your organisation currently uses. The technical information (below) is a description of the specifications of the hardware and modems etc. necessary to run the system, should provide you with all the information you need. If in doubt contact BTN who will be pleased to help further.
PC Hardware Specification
The recommended minimum PC hardware specification to operate the software is as follows:
IBM compatible PC hardware, with Pentium or larger processor of 1Mhz or greater. (A faster CPU will give faster performance) Your PC should be running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT or Windows 2000, 2003 Wndows XP. Windows Explorer Version 5 or above or Netscape navigator Version 4.6 or above.
Modem and Internet Connection.
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When do we budget our payments for?
The annual subscription fees are due on the signature of the software, the tariffs are due quarterly in advance.
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Is there a support hot-line? What are its hours?
Yes. The BTN service desk operates a hot-line support service during normal office hours.
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Who else is joining the Community?
Over the next few months it is expected that all of the main airlines and freight forwarders will join. We have consulted widely with probable users of the new service. All indications are that the vast majority of both sectors will take advantage of the system and the benefits they can get from using it.
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We also use the Port at Mina Salman and the Causeway are they part of the Community?
The first phase of the community development is concentrating on air cargo, however discussions are currently being finalised to bring the other transportation modes into the system to provide a total solution.
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Our organisation has offices elsewhere in the region; will they be able to gain advantage from the system?
That depends on their location and the facilities available in that country. For more information ask BTN who will be pleased to advise you.
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Who will provide us with on-going support?
BTN are responsible for the complete management of the Community including all of the members systems. They have expertise available for all areas, and will be ensuring your continued use of the system, and helping you through issues such as new staff etc.
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Who will install the software at our office?
No Installation is required at your site. All you require is a PC with Internet access running Windows Explorer Version 5 or above or Netscape navigator Version 4.6 or above
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Will special terminals be provided to the airline and their authorised cargo airlines?
Specialist terminals are not needed. The BTN software is a standard PC based package which runs on industry standard PC hardware running Windows Explorer Version 5 or above or Netscape navigator Version 4.6 or above.
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What are the shipment tracking facilities available for tracking of export and import shipments?
Forwarders can send and receive status messages for the AWB/shipments using the Freight Forwarder software.
Track and trace is available online to track and trace their consignments using AWB No.
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Can airlines and agents receive current shipment updates of export and import shipments worldwide?