Hactl competition continues drive for aviation and workplace safety

by Payload Asia

Nippon Cargo Airlines took home the top prize in the ninth annual International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition organised by Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (Hactl) at its SuperTerminal 1 facility. Nine teams entered this year with the competition judged by a panel of thirteen industry experts.

Overall winning team, with the highest total points, was Nippon Cargo Airlines which also collected the Pallet Building Competition Champion award. IAG Cargo meanwhile won the Forklift Driving Safety Award and also scooped the award for Forklift Competition Champion. Introducing a light-hearted element to this year’s proceedings, there were also prizes for the loudest cheering team with the gold award going to IAG Cargo.

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Chief judge for pallet building Sammy Mak of the Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Limited (HAFFA), said: “Aviation safety begins on the ground. The building of cargo pallets demands extreme care, to avoid risk to aircraft and passengers. I’m delighted to be a part of this unique and praiseworthy initiative that promotes excellence in safe loading of cargo onto pallets.”

Steve Hu of Occupational Safety & Health Council, chief judge for the forklift competition, added: “Operating fork trucks in the fast-paced airfreight handling environment holds many potential dangers, and we welcome Hactl’s move to develop driver skills and improve safety awareness.”

Some 300 spectators attended this year’s event, including VIP guests secretary for Transport and Housing, Anthony Cheung Bing-leung; assistant commissioner for Labour (Occupational Safety), Wu Wai-hung; and Occupational Safety & Health Council executive director, Bonnie Yau.

“We were very proud to host this event once again, helping to drive home the importance of high standards in ground handling, to aviation and workplace safety,” said Hactl chief executive Mark Whitehead. “Hactl has always been passionate about promoting best practice, and it was great to see the fun, and camaraderie of all the participants, at the “après-ski” party!”.

The nine participating companies who each entered a team of four included: AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Air Canada, Air China Cargo, Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Cargo, IAG Cargo, Japan Airlines and Nippon Cargo Airlines.

Results of the Competition

Overall Winners
Champion: Nippon Cargo Airlines
First Runner-up: Japan Airlines
Second Runner-up: IAG Cargo
Third Runner-up: Air China Cargo

Forklift Competition
Champion: IAG Cargo
First Runner-up: Nippon Cargo Airlines
Second Runner-up: Japan Airlines
Third Runner-up: China Southern Cargo

Pallet Building Competition
Champion: Nippon Cargo Airlines
First Runner-up: China Eastern Airlines
Second Runner-up: AirBridgeCargo Airlines
Third Runner-up: Japan Airlines

Forklift Driving Safety Award
IAG Cargo