Page 14 - STAT-March-2024-for-wesbite

specialreport

“Cathay has a target of using SAF for
10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030.
In February 2024, Cathay Cargo Terminal
became the first cargo terminal in Hong
Kong to adopt 50% recycled plastic cargo
cover sheets for all export argo shipments
built up within its terminal, increasing
from its current specifications of no less
than 30% recycled content.”
On the other hand, AAT is planning
to deploy Autonomous Electric Tractors
The pandemic (AET) within their operations, which is
currently under trial. “We aim to adopt
had significantly this cutting-edge technology for not only
improving operational efficiency and also
affected our operations, contributing to sustainability efforts by
with only cargo freighters reducing carbon emissions,” stated Mike
Chew, Chief Executive Officer, AAT.
and passenger freighters
Overcoming pandemic
were in operation. challenges

Hong Kong's air cargo industry, like many
Vivien Lau
JASG others worldwide, faced significant chal-
lenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
community to lodge import and export Disrupted global supply chains led to
trade documents with the government. delays and uncertainties in transporting
Beyond the airport facilities, Hong Kong goods. The decrease in passenger flights
has built a logistics network that con- meant less "belly cargo" capacity, further
nects air cargo to its various destinations. impacting cargo movement. Changing Kong displayed resilience, emerging with
A well-maintained network of highways consumer behaviour during lockdowns a proactive attitude to navigate through
and ports facilitates the smooth transfer of and economic downturns caused fluctua- the challenges. “Despite the downsized
cargo between the airport, other parts of tions in demand, with a surge in e-com- business during Covid-19, we were able
Hong Kong, mainland China, and neigh- merce goods and a decline in perishable to mobilise our staff from 12 different
bouring regions. Recognising the growing food shipments. functions to support our cargo business,
importance of e-commerce, Hong Kong “Business-wise, Hactl’s traffic profile demonstrating our team's resilience and
has established a supportive ecosystem changed dramatically, particularly in 2020 adaptability. We seized the opportunity
with efficient customs clearance processes and 2021: passenger flights almost disap- to upgrade the Resource Management
and streamlined last-mile delivery solu- peared, to be replaced by unprecedented System (RMS). It enabled us to manage our
tions. Further enriching this network is the levels of freighter movements, and a boom resources more efficiently and effectively.
strong presence of leading international in overall cargo throughput. This necessi- In addition, we conducted a thorough
and regional logistics companies, many tated further streamlining of our processes, examination of our customer portfolio,
of which have established their regional particularly on the ramp; and re-writing carefully matching it against our resource
headquarters in Hong Kong, contributing of the software that controls our huge plan,” added Lau.
their expertise and enhancing the overall Container Storage System, to increase its “Covid-19 led Hactl to speed up its
efficiency of the city's air cargo operations. capacity, speed and efficiency,” said Wilson transition to digital processes, to facilitate
Kwong, Chief Executive Officer, HACTL. remote working for our admin staff. A
Sustainability measures The cargo operations of Jardine Aviation large investment in a fully-secured wide
Transitioning into the realm of sustain- Services Group (JASG), a leading ground area network infrastructure (WAN) was
ability, Hong Kong’s commitment to handling services company operating at accompanied by the eradication of many
environmental responsibility emerges HKIA since 1946, were also affected by paper-based processes to avoid the need
as a natural extension of its attempt to the pandemic. Speaking about the same, for physical presence in our offices and re-
maintain competitiveness in the industry. Vivien Lau, Chief Executive, JASG said, “The move risk of infection via paperwork. It also
Initiatives include using electric ground pandemic had significantly affected our led to the early launch of our planned Inte-
handling equipment, reducing reliance on operations, with only cargo freighters and grated Hactl Control Centre (iHCC), which
paper-based processes, and investing in passenger freighters were in operation.” centralised all management of our entire
energy-efficient infrastructure at termi- Despite the upheaval caused by the operation in the terminal and on the ramp,
nals, and more. pandemic, the cargo industry in Hong provides visual displays of all operations
12 | MARCH 2024 www.stattimes.com