MSC Air Cargo has tapped IBS Software as a partner in a bid to digitally transform its air cargo operations.

The SaaS solutions provider to the travel and cargo industry made the announcement, noting that iCargo, the Software as a Service solution for air cargo management from IBS Software, will install a true digital platform that covers cargo sales, operations, cargo accounting and portal for MSC.

IBS said the standard product implementation would help MSC to go live faster and start business operations at the earliest opportunity.

Once fully implemented, iCargo will enable MSC to have full visibility of its air cargo value chain, covering sales, operations and accounting while also gaining insights for continuous business improvement.

"The partnership enables IBS Software to deploy iCargo for a company that is already the world's largest container carrier and which is now growing its MSC Air Cargo unit as a complementary business to its core ocean shipping solution," the announcement said.

It noted that iCargo adheres to best practices in the air cargo industry and is fully compliant with global industry standards and initiatives — such as Cargo iQ, C-XML, OneRecord, e-AWB and e-Freight — making this latest development a remarkable moment across the logistics industry.

It noted that it is an important step toward achieving seamless operations across multi-modal logistics models, increased efficiency and productivity to power rapid global trade and growth IBS Software has long advocated for.

"This is our first step into this market, and we plan to continue exploring avenues to develop air cargo in a way that complements MSC's overall solutions to our customers," said Jannie Davel, senior vice president of MSC Air Cargo. "This is why we've engaged IBS Software in a strategic agreement to implement their industry-leading iCargo platform."

"While we appreciate that many existing processes may remain relevant, our business is continuously evolving; and we believe that improvements in how a multi-modal business operates internally can help its customers achieve success," the MSC Air Cargo executive added, noting that it sees "great potential" in IBS Software's capabilities and solutions.

"We expect to harness the power of digitalisation to help achieve MSC Air Cargo's objectives," Davel further said.