Asia Airfreight Terminal Co. Ltd (AAT) has offered a cool respite by officially launching AAT COOLPORT. This first on-airport cold chain facility provides a complete temperature-controlled environment at Hong Kong International Airport, and complements a similar facility operated by AAT’s parent company, SATS Ltd, in Singapore.
The inaugural ceremony for AAT COOLPORT was attended by senior representatives from Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) and Hong Kong Association of Aircargo Truckers (HAAT).
They were given a tour of the facility and introduced to some new features that are a first for Hong Kong International Airport.
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AAT COOLPORT represents AAT’s ongoing commitment to providing unique solutions to meet the growing demand for safe air transportation of time and temperature-sensitive cargo.
COOLPORT is expected to increase AAT’s handling capacity for such cargo by 50%, which will further uphold the status of Hong Kong International Airport as the world’s hub for perishables and pharmaceuticals.
AAT COOLPORT offers a dedicated temperature-controlled zone, covering the entire cargo handling process, including acceptance and delivery, build-up and breakdown, security screening and storage.
New features include one-of-a-kind temperature-controlled truck docks with dock shelters that prevent potential disruptions to the cold chain during acceptance or delivery, and the location of the x-ray screening machine inside COOLPORT with CCTV surveillance so that cargo can be screened at the correct ambient temperature.
In addition, multi-tiered temperature zones down to -28°C are supported by real-time temperature and humidity monitoring systems, and cargo storage is facilitated by an innovative palletized ULD system, which ensures speedy and easy movement of cargo.
COOLPORT is strategically designed to interface directly with the airside to facilitate seamless cargo flow.
There is a dedicated handling area for pharmaceuticals to ensure the integrity of the cold chain when handling pharmaceutical products because they usually require more stringent temperature controls. The facility has been designed to meet international safety standards.
It is fully certified with IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, and WHO GDP Pharma accreditations. COOLPORT’s staff are well-trained and experienced in handling cold chain cargo in accordance with the highest global standards. COOLPORT uses environmentally sustainable, non-ozone depleting refrigerants offering a low global warming potential (GWP) and with high performance.
Mr. Kuah Boon Kiam, CEO of Asia Airfreight Terminal, stated, “At AAT, we regularly review our services to see how we can better meet market needs. “AAT COOLPORT provides a fully temperature-controlled area for cold chain handling. “We believe it will provide new value-added services and revenue opportunities for our customers; and further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an efficient, secure and reliable hub for temperature-sensitive products in the region. “We are very proud of this achievement and deeply appreciate the support we have received from the industry for this endeavour.”
