Recently, Mr. Lin Zhong, Chairman of the CAREC Federation of International Logistics and Commerce Associations (CFILCA), was invited to attend the 8th Guangzhou Aviation Logistics Development Summit 2026, organized by the 广州空港物流协会, where he delivered a keynote speech entitled “International Regional Logistics Coordination and Innovation: A New Era of Granting Transferable Rights to Air Cargo.”
The summit brought together representatives from airlines, airport groups, logistics enterprises, industry associations, and related institutions to exchange views on the evolving trends of aviation logistics, regional air cargo cooperation, and innovation in international logistics amid global supply chain restructuring.
In his speech, Chairman Lin Zhong drew on practical experience from logistics cooperation within the CAREC region and highlighted the longstanding legal limitations of the traditional air waybill (AWB) in international air cargo operations. He noted that, as a transport document, the conventional AWB is generally non-transferable, which limits its ability to support emerging needs in trade finance, supply chain finance, and integrated multimodal transport.
Addressing this industry challenge, Chairman Lin introduced the CATA Multimodal Transport Documentation System, promoted by CFILCA in alignment with international developments surrounding the Negotiable Cargo Document (NCD) framework under the United Nations. The system seeks to enhance transport documentation by introducing transferable rights, allowing cargo documents to evolve from traditional transport evidence into instruments with both trade and financial functionality.
He noted that the system is expected to generate practical value for multiple stakeholders in air cargo logistics, including:
creating new financing pathways for cargo owners and trading enterprises;
strengthening freight forwarders’ participation in supply chain finance;
providing financial institutions with more standardized and recognizable trade asset documentation;
facilitating documentary connectivity between air transport and rail, road, and maritime multimodal systems.
Chairman Lin also invited airlines, logistics enterprises, financial institutions, and industry organizations to participate in pilot cooperation under the CATA system, with a view to jointly exploring new models that integrate air cargo documentation innovation with international supply chain finance.
CFILCA reaffirmed that it will continue strengthening cooperation with international organizations, industry associations, and institutional partners to advance innovation and standardization in regional logistics rules, contributing practical experience to enhanced connectivity across the CAREC region and the wider international logistics network.