The International Air Transport Association has launched the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Perishable Logistics programme, a new industry certification to improve the handling and the transportation by air of perishable products.

“Perishable goods is a growing market for air cargo,” said Alexandre de Juniac [left in photo], director general and CEO of IATA, at the launch of the certification during the 13th World Cargo Symposium in Singapore. “Ensuring that these delicate and short-shelf-life products reach the customer unspoiled with minimal waste and loss is essential. Shippers will have assurance that CEIV Fresh certified companies are operating to the highest quality and standards in the transport of perishable products.”

The CEIV Fresh programme’s requirements are primarily based on the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, combining professional regulatory and operational input from industry and government experts.

IATA piloted the certification with launch partners Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific Services Limited and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited. The community approach helps align the needs and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the handling of perishable goods.

“We took a community approach to developing CEIV Fresh recognizing that the successful shipment requires the alignment of many stakeholders,” said Glyn Hughes, global head of cargo at IATA. “Shippers can have peace of mind knowing that every entity handling their goods is operating to the same standards. Understanding the value of this to the success of its customers, the Airport Authority Hong Kong pioneered the world’s first CEIV Fresh certified airport community.”

“We are delighted to be the first airport community worldwide recognized by IATA under the CEIV Fresh programme, which is a big encouragement to and affirmation of the capability of the Hong Kong airport community in handling perishable products,” said Fred Lam [right in photo], chief executive officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong. “HKIA is the world’s busiest cargo airport since 2010. With the new certification, HKIA is well-placed to capture the increasing growth opportunities in the market for fresh and perishable goods.”

The airport handled more than 380,000 tonnes of perishables in 2018, a year-on-year increase of 12% and accounting for about 8% of the total cargo volume for the year.

The airport authority will support the continuous growth by boosting the number of cool dollies available for the whole community to over 30. The airport is also building apron shelters to protect perishables from weather conditions.

“With the affirmation of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area recently promulgated by the central government, HKIA as the leading cargo hub will continue to support the Greater Bay Area’s development,” said Lam. “In view of the continuous growth of the economy and rise in living standards in mainland China and Asia, we expect increasing demand for high-end temperature-controlled products, such as perishables and pharmaceuticals, for which HKIA is fully geared up as part of our business strategy to capture the expanding opportunities.”

Cargo terminal operators Hactl and CPSL have also been awarded the CEIV Fresh certification. The two terminals offer cold rooms set at tailored temperatures for various kinds of perishable products such as live seafood, fruits, vegetables and frozen meat.

Cathay Pacific, which owns CPSL, expects to become the first airline to achieve the certification by May 2019.

“Congratulations to CPSL,” said Ronald Lam, director of commercial and cargo at Cathay Pacific. “IATA’s CEIV Fresh certification is an achievement that our airline aims to emulate in the near future. A collaborative approach among all stakeholders enables the air freight community to provide meticulous care for fresh produce during transit. It will not only provide superior value to our customers but also contribute to the success of Hong Kong as a key international air freight hub for perishables.”

Hactl began preparations for the certification in October 2018. Key staff underwent IATA training in November and the company made a number of refinements to its terminal and processes. Assessment and validation were then carried out in December 2018 and January 2019 respectively.

“With CEIV Fresh, you have to forget the many years for which you may have handled perishable cargo: it’s a hurdle if you think in this way,” said Benny Siu, senior manager of safety, sustainability and quality assurance at Hactl. “What we have done with CEIV Fresh is to further enhance our existing high standards through careful self-scrutiny, detailed planning and making modifications where required.”

Hactl created a new fast-track handling process called Fresh Lane, designed to minimize the time taken to unload perishable cargo and release it to customers, or place it in temperature-controlled storage.

Hactl identified four critical control points within its operations that have been dealt with through the use of thermal dollies, for example. Other upgrades include the segregation of different perishable commodities through dedicated truck docks, and the mapping and visual marking of optimum storage positions in its cool rooms, known as the Blue Belt. Dedicated active ULD-charging areas have also been installed.

“Certification such as CEIV Fresh is very useful to benchmark the quality and standard of an organization, and Hactl applauds both IATA’s initiative in driving the adoption of CEIV Fresh throughout the industry, and HKIA’s leadership of this project in Hong Kong,” said Wilson Kwong, chief executive of Hactl. “We urge all air cargo businesses to join this movement towards uniformity, which will create higher service standards for perishables handling across the industry.”