WITH the phased implementation of 100% air cargo security screening having now started, the U-Freight Group says it is well placed to assist shippers with one of its logistics hubs in Hong Kong becoming a Regulated Air Cargo Screening Facility.

U-Freight’s Hong Kong hub was certified by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department to enable and regulate off-airport cargo screening.

The enhancement of international standards on air cargo security announced by the International Civil Aviation Organization commenced on 1 January 2020 and will be implemented in phases to achieve 100% screening by 30 June 2021.

In Hong Kong, a transitional arrangement has been set up which will mean that all RACSFs are required to gradually increase the percentage of air cargo being screened.

From January to April 2020, 25% of cargoes (by weight) are required to be screened; increasing to 40% in phase two from May to August 2020; 70% in phase three from September 2020 to February 2021; and 100% in phase 4 from March to June 2021.

ADVERTISEMENT  

Over two years ago, the U-Freight Group installed an X-ray machine at its Golden Bear Industrial Centre in Hong Kong, giving staff adequate time to gain experience in the scanning process, as well as helping to identify prohibited/suspect products inside the ever-increasing number of e-commerce parcels it handles.

A second enhanced X-ray machine was installed in July 2019, which can scan consignments up to pallet size. The company modified its export operations warehouse to accommodate the existing X-ray machine, as well as the newly purchased one.

Simon Wong, U-Freight’s CEO said, “The establishment of off-airport screening facilities in Hong Kong will enable air cargoes to be screened at the existing warehouses or similar premises of the air cargo industry before such cargoes are transported to the airport for loading onto aircraft.

“We were very keen to capitalise on this opportunity, and were very pleased to have become one of the first freight forwarders and logistics companies to have been accredited by CAD, and are now fully prepared to play our part in the new ICAO regime.”