Cathay Cargo secures lithium battery safety recertification

Cathay Cargo has secured recertification for the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Lithium Batteries accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to the highest standards of safety in transporting dangerous goods. The airline was one of the first carriers in Asia to receive the accreditation and this summer became one of the first to be recertified.

The refreshed Cathay Dangerous Goods shipment solution focuses on precise handling and segregated storage across all nine classes of dangerous goods, including flammable, radioactive and hazardous materials. Central to this is the safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries, a growing concern with the rise of e-commerce.

Tim Wong, Cathay Cargo General Manager Cargo Service Delivery, said safety remains the cornerstone of its operations. “The safe carriage of lithium-ion batteries is a core focus of our cargo business and we have introduced a series of safety protocols with our customers and operational teams to mitigate any risks,” he said. “This CEIV reaccreditation will give further reassurance to our customers that we adhere to the highest standards of handling in the industry.”

Cathay Cargo’s updated solution includes additional measures to ensure the safe carriage of lithium batteries in the air and segregated storage on the ground. Along with its existing range of fire-resistant bags and containers, the solution now offers greater flexibility for larger shipments with a build-up option for multiple fire-resistant bags. This boosts space efficiency by 50 per cent and allows bigger individual battery sizes to be transported safely.

The company has also enhanced digital processes with a Lithium Batteries Shipper Approval Request Form to speed up approvals for shippers and forwarders. This follows other digital initiatives that reduced approval times for heavy and out-of-gauge shipments, highlighting Cathay Cargo’s push towards more agile and efficient operations.

At the same time, Cathay Cargo has taken steps to prevent misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods. AI screening technology is now in place at the Cathay Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong to identify possible hidden risks. The Cargo Agent Operation Programme, offering training and handling guidance, has also been expanded to more outports worldwide.

Tim Wong added: “Our refreshed Cathay Dangerous Goods shipment solution ensures the precision required for the safe and seamless transport of dangerous goods is visible at every stage of the journey.”