SATS, together with its Hong Kong subsidiary Asia Airfreight Terminal Co. Ltd. (AAT) and Indonesian joint venture PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta Tbk (PT JAS), have attained accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the group’s commitment in ensuring lithium batteries are safely transported by air.
The group, on Sept 29, was named ‘Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries’ (CEIV Li-batt) under IATA’s certification programme. The programme establishes baseline standards to improve competency and quality management in the handling and carriage of lithium batteries, alone or with finished products, along the supply chain.
According to SATS, lithium battery shipments that pose a safety risk to aircraft, passengers and crew remain a pressing issue amid the continued growth in e-commerce. The group says it mitigates this risk by validating compliance with regulations for dangerous goods consignments and storing them safely in a dedicated holding area. In addition, trained personnel are empowered to stop potentially non-compliant shipments for further inspection.
In Singapore, a digital compliance solution has been put in place to enable safer and automated dangerous goods verification checks.
“Ensuring safe and seamless connections for passengers and cargo is our priority. In 2014, SATS Coolport was the world’s first on-airport perishable handling centre to be certified by IATA as a Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Handling. In another global first for SATS, the latest IATA CEIV Li-batt certification accomplished with our group of companies demonstrates our commitment to be at the forefront of innovation,” says Bob Chi, SATS’s CEO of gateway services.
“As lithium batteries grow to be the preferred energy source for consumer electronics and mobility products, we believe this certification will set a new international benchmark for safe aviation travel and give customers the added confidence that we handle shipments of dangerous goods with the highest level of care and diligence,” Chi adds.
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The certification will remain in effect for two years.
As at 11.29am, shares in SATS are trading 67 cents lower or 17.31% down at $3.20.
