Transport Security

Cargo security at the world's busiest airport

By Jianggan Li | 3 June 2008

What does it take to run security at an airport located at one of the highest-volume transhipment centres in the world?

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Hong Kong International Airport is the world’s busiest airport, measured by volume of international cargo. Hong Kong Airport Cargo Terminal Limited (HACTL), the operator of the cargo terminal, serves close to 90 international airlines and 1000 freight forwarders and has the capacity to handle 3.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.

“With millions of dollars worth of cargo being processed every day, maintaining a stringent level of cargo security is a principle to which HACTL holds strongly,” says Lilian Chan, General Manager, Customer Service at the terminal.

“We strive to continuously improve both the aviation and commercial security level and standard on air cargo transportation within SuperTerminal 1.” Chan reveals that HATCL’s SuperTerminal 1 is widely recognised as an air cargo terminal with ‘one of the lowest pilferage rates in the world’.

With security as a top priority, SuperTerminal 1 has a 250-strong security team on guard 24 hours a day. HATCL has also deployed an extensive network of sensors, an intruder detection system and a rigorous access control system with more than 120 control points and over 900 CCTV cameras to monitor access into the restricted areas.

Responsibility of all stakeholders

Creating an unbroken chain of security from factory to final destination is an ideal long held by the shipping industry, but one that has yet to be achieved, say experts.

Peter Wan, Head of Security, Cathay Pacific Airways, says, “With so many stakeholders and variables, enabling a secure, harmonious supply chain is by far the biggest challenge.” Cathay Pacific Cargo is one tenant at HACTL’s cargo terminal. “We use the facilities and it is they who employ security personnel,” says Wan.

Wan asserts that a secure supply chain has been recognised as the only practical way to address cargo handling. “To have security only at the final hurdle requires huge resources and disrupts logistics,” he explains. “Thus, if items could be secured-and kept secure upon buildup and transportation-then the issue of last minute security goes away.”

He adds that to achieve this ideal situation requires all the stakeholders, including suppliers and cargo agents to ensure their facilities and operations are secure. “Merely saying they are is not good enough,” Wan believes what is required for them is to be regulated in the same manner that airlines are.

“To add to this, we are not talking about one regulator,” he explains the complexity of the issue. “Airlines have to meet the requirements of multiple regulators who in turn may interpret ICAO standards slightly differently.”

To tackle this challenge, airlines have formed various working groups with different industry partners such as the Federation of Asia Pacific Air Cargo Association (FAPAA) and the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA).

Cathay Pacific is also in constant dialogue with regulators. “The key to addressing this challenge is a concerted effort on communications up, down and across the supply chain,” says Wan.

Technological solutions

Starting from 2006, HACTL’s Security Services Team can use handheld computers to perform onsite checking of vehicles, cargoes, Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and permits during daily terminal surveillance.

Chan explains that with this wireless technology, HACTL security staff can get instant access to HACTL’s online logistics management systems – the Community System for Air Cargo (COSAC) to remotely update and retrieve related security information through COSAC. “This convenient access to COSAC, enabled by wireless technology, provides added flexibility and efficiency for security checking,” she says. “More importantly, it enhances close monitoring of truck and human accesses in and out of the terminal, strengthening overall cargo and terminal security at HACTL.”

Cargo handling and storage systems inside SuperTerminal1 are fully automated with minimised human handling. Chan explains: “Our box storage system is fully customs-bonded with both computerised and human security systems providing maximum protection.”

The above mentioned nearly 900 close circuit television cameras and security access control system (more than 100 control panels placed at entrance and exits to the Tenant Restricted Areas) installed in the Main Terminal Building safeguard the security of stored cargo.

In addition, HACTL has successfully leveraged an end-to-end networked video solution to help improve security management in the terminal complex with a floor area of 328,000 square meters. “With the comprehensive networked video management, we can tie together disparate security systems for a more holistic approach to manage our entire video surveillance operations,” Chan says. “They also allow us to add new technology to accommodate future expansion and growth.”

The massive flow of cargo carried around Cathay Pacific’s network requires a high level of technological support to ensure shipments are correctly assigned and arrive at their final destination on time. All this is handled by the Cathay Unisys Booking and Information for Cargo (CUBIC) system – an integral part of Cathay Pacific’s fully computerised cargo service since 1984. CUBIC ensures instant space confirmation for each booking.

Once booked, the cargo’s journey is recorded at every stage, through departure and transhipment, to arrival at its final destination. Cargo agents can immediately determine where their shipments are at any stage. Cargo details can be forwarded prior to departure for pre-arrival customs clearance at the final destination.

There are currently over 426 CUBIC display units in more than 65 sites around the Cathay Pacific network, with enhancements constantly added into the system. Initially, customers are able to conduct tracking and tracing through Ezycargo.com, an internet based cargo portal developed jointly by Cathay Pacific Cargo together with Japan Airlines Cargo, Qantas Freight and Singapore Airlines Cargo.

Screening

Cathay Pacific’s Wan explains that every item of cargo has to meet with the requirements of the Hong Kong National Aviation Programme (HKASP) prior to uplift: “There are set policies and procedures within the HKASP that all airlines follow.”

HACTL’s Chan adds that with an increased focus on security, all export cargo loaded onto passenger aircraft needs to follow the rules and regulations as laid out in the Regulated Agent Regime (RAR) by Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department to ensure secured air cargo transportation and quality control on air cargo screening. She says that HACTL will ensure the cargo meets these requirements by using its Export Cargo Security Screening service at various cargo acceptance locations within the terminal building.

“We arrange x-ray as well as manual checking of cargo,” she adds. “However, with Hong Kong being a free trade port, air cargo will only be selectively scanned by the Customs.”

Cargo screening is normally performed by AVSECO, Cathay Pacific’s Wan explained that they are the only entity authorised to perform screening.

Working together In addition to its own security staff and systems, Lilian reveals that the HACTL Security Management Team needs to monitor and control the security service standard provided by both AVSECO (for aviation security purpose) and G4S (for commercial security purpose).

Cathay Pacific follows the set of training requirements for airline staff working in cargo operations within the HKASP. Wan also notes that supervision is maintained according to the diverse needs of different operations.

Chan also says that HACTL maintains good relationship and conducts regular meetings with Customs & Excise Department and Airlines in all security related issues and regulations. The company’s security department carries out immediate investigations on any cargo security matters with feedback to respective airlines.

“In addition to regulators, airlines work and communicate with all parties along the supply chain,” says Wan. “It is also active in Associations such as IATA and AAPA, all of whom are actively tackling the issues at hand.”

HACTL is the first air cargo terminal in the world to be awarded the TAPA-Cargo Terminal Best Security Practices compliance certification. TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) Asia is an association of security professionals organised for the purpose of addressing a variety of security threats common to the technology industry leveraging on best practices and common experiences of its membership.

As early as 2004, the terminal was already awarded by TAPA – Asia the Certificate for meeting the Freight Security Requirements for high-tech products. “With industry-recognised best security practices, together with an aspiration to achieve excellence in every aspect of its operations, we are committed to providing air cargo handling service at the highest level of security to our customers through a constant review of our security system,” Chan concludes.