The unsung heroes of the supply chain Cargo handlers form a crucial part of this industry and, despite the need for cost-competitiveness at all times, they must also invest in high-quality service L


ilian Chan, executive director of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (HACTL), points out that the continuing drop in volumes – as measured do to influence the over- all market or our customers months of this year were “very much in line with expectation”.


HACTL processed 3.8 percent less freight in January and


February than in the same months of 2011 but “tonnage volume in January was down due to the timing of Chinese New Year,


while February has improved”. She explained: “There is no ques- tion that the export market is particularly challenging for many of our customers and, as a handler, there is ultimately little we can do to influence the overall market or our customers’ relative suc- cess within it. Both have a direct impact on our business.” HACTL is doing its best to offer the best possible product. Its


COSAC-Plus IT cargo handling system, for example, is now “at an advanced stage of implementation, with only a few carriers left


to migrate from the previous system”, Chan observed. “So far, we have had no problems at all and we received very positive feed- back frm our customers on the new system’s flexibility, greater functionality and user friendliness. “The new system comes as a timely introduction to assist us


to tackledo to influence the overall market or our customersward, we look forward to working together with our customers to explore different ways the system can help meet individual requirements.” One of those challenges comes from the growing threat to Hong Kong business. Chan said: “There is a definite trend to


develop more regional hubs in mainland China, and it may be that some rotes currently operated via Hong Kong will become direct. But, at the same time, Hong Kong itslf is continuing to grow and to invest in maintaining its position as an interconti- nental hub. The desire to invst in a third runway is a clear signal of confidence in the future, which we share.” Whatever the technological improvements HACTL intro-


duces, Chan remains cautious about the year head. “Until global markets settle and consumer confidence returns, air freight will continue to suffer as it is so closely bound to discretionary expen- diture on non-essentials,” she said. “Despite the uncertainties in the global market, we remain


cautiously optimistic about our business development in the rest of the year, As in past years, 2012 will be a year full of growth opportunities. We are exploring many opportunities, and even- tually these will lead to tangible developments,” Chan concluded.


Servisair moves back at LHR


Servisair Cargo has now completed the move back into its rebuilt warehouse at London Heathrow airport (LHR) after the original building on the site was completely destroyed by fire in July 2010. Phil Rawlings, cargo


manager UK and Ireland at Emirates Airline, is happy to be back in his office at the facility. Rawlings had been able


to keep Emirates SkyCargo operations running with hastily-acquired new IT sys- tems and through temporary warehouse space obtained by Servisair Cargo at London Heathrow. nEarlier this year, Kenya Airways signed a multi-year agreement with Servisair Cargo to provide freight handling services at Heathrow and the airline has moved its opera- tion into the same warehouse and office facility.


Rawlings –back in his office Page 8 26 March 2012


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