The temperature-controlled transportation industry is an essential component of the global supply chain, It involves the transportation of goods that require specific temperature ranges to maintain their quality and integrity, such as food and pharmaceutical products. This industry has grown significantly over the years due to the increasing demand for fresh and frozen food products, as well as vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. Established in 1998, Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) is one of the leading air cargo terminal operators based at the world’s busiest cargo hub Hong Kong International Airport, providing quality cargo handling services to more than 40 leading airlines worldwide.
With a handling capacity of 1.5 million tons of air cargo per year, AAT specializes in general as well as special cargo handling, especially cold chain cargo. AAT launched the first on-airport cold chain facility AAT COOLPORT, with a complete temperature-controlled environment in Hong Kong International Airport in September 2022.
AAT COOLPORT: A Specialized Facility
Temperature-controlled logistics is a critical sector that requires specialized facilities and equipment to ensure the safe and secure shipment of temperature-sensitive products. AAT COOLPORT is specifically designed for cold chain shipments handling, with a dedicated temperaturecontrolled center covering the entire cargo handling process including cargo acceptance and release, buildup and breakdown, cargo screening and storage. The facility boasts of specialized dock shelters that allow cargo to come right off the truck into a temperature-controlled environment, ensuring no exposure to outside temperatures.
“With multi-tiered temperature zones, COOLPORT can accommodate an extensive range of products with varying needs, from freezer with temperature ranging from -28°C to -10°C to cool rooms with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 8°C, and 15°C to 25°C”, says Mike Chew, CEO. One of the key requirements in the supply chain of temperature-sensitive products is the monitoring of logistic progress, particularly in hot and humid climates. AAT COOLPORT addresses this requirement through an automated management system that provides realtime monitoring of temperature and humidity in every coolroom and freezer.
To ensure the highest levels of quality and safety, AAT COOLPORT has obtained various accreditations and certifications, including IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, and WHO GDP Pharma.
These certifications demonstrate the facility’s compliance with regulations and international best standards, ensuring that customers’ pharmaceutical products and perishables such as seafood, fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, and meat are handled with care and professionalism. As cold chains demand continues to grow, AAT maintains the flexibility to increase capacity at the COOLPORT facility in response to demand. AAT continuously reviews the market situation and responds flexibly to market needs, striving to improve the efficiency of its software and hardware.
Integrated Logistics Solution
Apart from air cargo terminal service, AAT also offers a one-stop integrated logistics solution via its logistics arm Asia Airfreight Services (AAS) to support the ever-growing demand for e-commerce shipments. In e-commerce, time is everything, and AAS integrated logistics solutions ensure parcels make their flights in the shortest time possible. It enables shipments from China to be transported directly to AAT, where they are handled by AAS SecurePlus services from prioritized truck docks for unloading, cargo screening, build up, to tendering cargo to AAT terminal. This means that cargo can be accepted by AAT closest to the cut-off time.
AAT, with its strong history & expertise, continues to focus on delivering high-quality cargohandling services to its global clientele
AAT, with its strong history and expertise, continues to focus on delivering high-quality cargo-handling services to its global clientele. Celebrating its 25th year of service excellence, value and commitment in 2023, AAT has played a significant role in developing Hong Kong International Airport into the world’s largest international air cargo hub over the decades. “AAT’s shareholders, SATS Group and China Merchants provide the company with access to a strong worldwide network, sharing resources, expertise, and experience while playing an integral role in the network. With our latest presence in Hong Kong International Airport’s Logistics Park in Dongguan, it offers multi-modal shipment access & solutions to the Greater Bay Area, expanding our geographical reach and leveraging more value-added services for our customers”, says Mike.
Focus on Quality
AAT’s staff is well trained and certified to handle all types of commodities and sizes, offering ongoing training programs to ensure they remain on top of the latest industry standards. An attitude towards excellence coupled with the best state-of-the-art facilities, technological innovations, sophisticated management, and a well-trained team of cargo professionals ensures AAT’s customers always enjoy the highest level of services. AAT engages with potential and existing customers by understanding their current cargo profile, and business needs, and offering tailored logistics solutions with regular review and improvement.
Mike Chew, CEO
Mike has been in the aviation and airfreight industry for 30 years. He has held various senior leadership roles in SATS group including Chief Executive Officer at Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) and Chief Executive Officer at Beijing Aviation Ground Services (BGS). Under Mike’s leadership, AAT continues to serve the Hong Kong aviation industry at its very best.
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