AIR CARG O WEEK


CARGO TECHNOLOGY HOW SMART IS TOO SMART?


ACW JOURNALIST ANASTASIYA SIMSEK LOOKS INSIDE HACTL’S CARGO TERMINAL WHERE AI, AUTOMATION AND REAL-TIME DATA MEET OPERATIONAL LIMITS


H


ong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), the leading terminal operator at the world’s busiest cargo airport, is positioning itself as one of the most technologically advanced players in global airfreight. With real-time cargo tracking, predictive maintenance powered by AI,


autonomous towing vehicles and a private 5G network—all layered into its sprawling SuperTerminal 1—Hactl has created an eco- system few can match. But beneath the polished architecture lies a familiar challenge: how to connect disparate systems, partners and workflows into a truly seamless supply chain. “When cargo is accepted at our terminal to when it’s released


to the aircraft - and in some cases, when we manage loading and unloading - we have direct traceability throughout,” says Wilson Kwong, Chief Executive of Hactl. “We have been doing a lot on IoT (Internet of Things) and real-time tracking.”


COSAC-Plus and control centre That visibility rests on COSAC-Plus, Hactl’s in-house air cargo management community system, which Kwong describes as foundational.


“One of the


systems we in-house developed is called COSAC— Community Systems for Air Cargo. That’s what we first built for the entire cargo community… It’s now in its third iteration, and we keep on updating it.” This isn’t


timestamped the


just about dashboard tracking or events.


Hactl’s Integrated Hactl


integrates that data into a live operational nerve centre:


Control infrastructure Centre


(iHCC). “Because of all these data inputs - from the acceptance process, the loading process and so forth - we are able to know exactly where the cargo processes are and where our progress is. In case there are potential issues, we know how to respond appropriately.” For Kwong, this real-time visibility is not


confined to certain cargo segments. “When we implement IoT solutions, we never thought of a


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particular vertical. Any IoT systems or the wider infrastructure we put in is for all cargo. But of course, does it help with individual segments? Of course it does, for perishables and so forth, they’re more time sensitive and temperature sensitive.” He points to the Cool Chain Complex (CCC) - the largest of its


kind at Hong Kong International Airport - as a tailored solution built alongside Hactl’s generic tech layer. “The CCC is for handling such goods… we are very confident that with the CCC opening, and with the growth of cargo in nature, you’ll see more.” The


implementation of IoT has required deep changes in


infrastructure, not just sensors, but scalable system design. “Apart from the sensors, you also have to have the backbone systems snd also the telecommunications infrastructure. We are working with a provider to have our own private 5G network, this makes us the first 5G private network-enabled air cargo terminal in Hong Kong.” This private 5G deployment is not merely about speed. “It enables


even higher accuracy, even higher safety standards and even lower latency,” Kwong explains. “Not only does it enable us to perform better when it comes to IoT sensors, it also enables us with many automation initiatives, including robotics and autonomous electric tractors.” Asked about the most promising technologies shaping Hactl’s


next phase, Kwong shifts to artificial intelligence. “We have been working with AI for quite some years, many people are looking at ChatGPT-like applications, and we do have our own as well, which in a secure environment enables our colleagues to retrieve information faster and in a more focused manner.” But the deeper value lies in machine learning for predictive


operations. “We’ve been using AI for predictive maintenance… it can help forecast or predict when a certain component could be close to the end of life, and then, before that, you replace it. That really helps.” AI is also deployed to optimise the flow of ULDs within SuperTerminal 1. “There are millions of permutations in how ULDs move within the system. We use AI to help optimise and forecast operations.”


AI and automation in daily operations With automation extending across handling and equipment, Hactl is testing autonomous electric tractors for airside dolly towing.


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