IPC will launch its ambitious Interconnect programme to create a single postal network forcross-border parcel delivery with 33 participating Posts in the second half of this year, according
to a senior executive. This will be at least six months later than originally planned.The Interconnect programme is a comprehensive industry response to the European Commission’sDecember 2013 ‘Roadmap’ which identified various obstacles to providing a seamless parcel deliverynetwork. The Commission gave parcel operators 18 months to improve cross-border deliveries forEuropean consumers with better information, more customer-friendly services and simpler complaintsprocedures.
In 2013, all 24 IPC member Posts in Europe, North America and Asia agreed to participate inthe scheme, while a cooperation agreement was signed with PostEurop, under which its non-IPCmembers would also join the programme.
The Interconnect programme was originally scheduled to be fully operational by the end of2014, but this timing has slipped. Participants have been working over the last year to set up thetechnical and operational platform ready to launch the programme.
Alan Barrie, IPC’s director of operations and technology, told the European Post and ParcelServices conference in Vienna yesterday that “In 2015 Interconnect will be up and running with 33postal operators.”
In response to CEP-Research questions, he clarified: “There’s a range of launch dates in thesecond half of 2015. Companies are planning different launch dates. They will join in during Q3 andQ4.” Although the participating Posts are “competing as well as cooperating”, he stressed thatoverall “there’s a real will to do this”.
The kickoff participants will be nearly all European Posts along with those in the US,Australia and New Zealand. Intensive talks are taking place with Asian Posts for them to join assoon as possible, and IPC is also talking separately with Alibaba. “They want this to work,” Barriecommented.
Speaking earlier in the day, PostEurop general secretary Botond Szebeny had reaffirmed theEuropean postal association’s support. “The programme is one of the biggest programmes ever doneand we are sure it will contribute to solving some of the key challenges in delivery,” he tolddelegates.
Reviewing the Interconnect programme’s progress, Barrie said that last year IPC had “designed and built” new e-commerce service levels and IT platform, and also “integrated solutionsfor cross-border returns, delivery choice and end-to-end tracking”.
Looking ahead, he added: “In 2015 our continuing focus will be on predictable and reliabletransit times, customs solutions and enhanced customer messaging.”
The Interconnect programme aims to offer customers the same shopping and delivery experiencewhen buying online domestically or cross-border, with three service levels.
The ‘Premium’ service for high-value goods would provide day-definite delivery, fullend-to-end tracking and reception signature. The ‘Standard’ service for medium-value goods wouldincluding tracking and predicable delivery times, while the ‘Economy’ service for low-value goodswould offer predicable delivery times but no tracking. All three services would include prepaidreturn options.
Underlining the need for an interconnected international parcel delivery network, Barriehighlighted the continued strong forecast growth of global e-commerce in the years ahead, driven byAsia in particular.
E-commerce volumes have soared with a 16.5 per cent rise in cross-border flows of airmail(measured in tonnage) between November 2013 and January 2015, according to IPC measurements, Barriesaid. This includes a 67 per cent surge in Asia – Europe flows, 48 per cent rise in Asia – NorthAmerica volumes and a 36 per cent increase in Europe – Asia tonnage.
The IPC manager also recently discussed e-commerce issues and closer cooperation betweenPosts and airlines at IATA’s 9th World Cargo Symposium in Shanghai on 10-12 March. “Cooperationbetween posts and airlines is essential to ensure full track and trace of e-commerce parcels,” hecommented after that event.
