Of late, there have been incidents of cargo damage and thefts. Explosives items catching fire during transportation, liquid cargo or gas leakages, luxury cargo thefts, lead to monetary loss but also adversely affect the environment. Moving cargo with security is the need of the hour and what the industry demands.
Ensuring cent per cent cargo security holds utmost importance throughout the supply chain process. Be it dangerous goods, perishables such as fruits, flowers and vegetables, temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, luxury items, live animals, airlines, airport operators and freight forwarders must comply and adhere to strict regulations and protocols formed by the authorities and global associations such as IATA for ensuring 100 per cent safety and compliance.
To mitigate risks, global airlines, airports, and freight forwarders have adopted security guidelines, invested in world-class safe, smart and green infrastructure, and advanced technology, introduced innovative ways of cargo handling and transportation, which include robots and AI, to ensure zero risks. Frequent audits and inspection processes have become an essential part of their business. Airlines following IATA’s regulations such as ISAGO, IATA CEIV Lithium-Battery, IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, IATA CEIV Live Animals, Smart Facility Operational Capacity, RA3 are must. Tech platforms such as cargo.one, CargoWise, myVSwhich, among others are being used extensively to monitor cargo throughout the supply chain. Revolutionary cold chain smart tech being used, such as Releye® RLP and RAP containers from Envirotainer, to carry perishables and time-sensitive products. Etihad Cargo’s SafeGuard product is dedicated to ferrying luxury and high-value items, such as gold, currency, and jewellery, among others. CARGOTALK delves into airlines, and forwarders business to focus more on cargo security.
Sarah Scheibe
‘We maintain safety protocols throughout the supply chain’
TCE is one of the new services proposed by ECS Group as part of its new GSSA business model. Customers can opt for it as an à la carte option or as part of their TCM contract. At TCE, ensuring the safety and security of cargo is our top priority. We have implemented several procedures with our subcontracted cargo handling agent to maintain the highest standard in handling, loading/off loading and transporting various types of cargo. For dangerous goods, we strictly adhere to all regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Our staff and subcontractors staff undergo special training programmes to handle hazardous materials safely, and we maintain safety protocols throughout the entire process. We have specialized equipment and facilities to handle and transport dangerous goods securely.
When it comes to temperature-sensitive goods, including perishable cargo like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, we follow GDP guidelines and fully rely on the advanced refrigeration and climate-controlled systems from our cargo handling agents. These systems enable us to maintain the desired temperature range throughout the transportation journey, ensuring the integrity and freshness of perishable items, pharmaceuticals, and the other temperature-sensitive cargo.
Same is fully documented and controlled through our manuals, SOPs, and onsite quality audits. We have strategically contracted warehouses and sales offices that are equipped with advanced inventory management systems. These systems allow us to track and trace shipments in real-time, providing our customers with complete visibility and control over their cargo. Our subcontracted facilities are equipped with modern loading docks, specialized handling equipment, and overall efficient setups.
Taking into consideration that we are supervising the cargo operations at over 250 airports worldwide with our team 24×7. In addition, our key focus is the quality of services, safety of the flights and security of the cargo. This makes our quality management and compliance monitoring so important for us and our mandate carriers.
Security guidelines to mitigate cargo risks