Hong Kong-based forwarder SUN Logistics last week launched a new regulated air cargo security facility (RACSF), alongside new warehouse services, as it looks to adopt new technologies to meet customer needs.

The move follows ICAO’s full implementation of its air cargo screening policy starting 1 March 2021, where all cargo, except for validated know consignors, are subject to 100 percent security screening prior to being loaded onto commercial aircraft.

SUN Logistics said the on-airport warehouse, built as an annex of the Airport Freight Forwarding Centre at the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok, will offer end-to-end professional air freight logistics solutions, as well as stringent security and safety measures for all managed cargo.

Anticipating growing demand for warehouse and security screening services, the forwarder is confident the launch of the new RACSF, which it considers as one of the largest built at 108,000 square metres, will allow it to serve an even wider range of clients.

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“The launch of this new RACSF allows us to continually evolve and optimize our total logistics services while introducing new technologies and processes to our clients with expert-guaranteed success,” said Mr Kenneth Ko, chief executive of SUN Logistics.

“We are very excited to implement our new warehouse services in order to meet the growing demand for professional air freight logistic solutions,” he added.

SUN Logistics’ 108,000-sqft RACSF at the Airport Freight Forwarding Centre has four pallet-sized and two parcel-sized X-ray machines, whilst its off-airport facility in Kwai Chung has 2 skid-sized and 1 parcel-sized X-ray machines, according to its website. Both offer air export logistics services, including ULD build up and cargo security screening.

Under ICAO’s direction, consignors of air shipments not approved by the aviation security authority are obliged to be phased out by 30 June 2021.

In Hong Kong, freight forwarder association HAFFA said that apart from “teething troubles,” that were jointly resolved, the air cargo screening operations appear to have coped quite smooth so far as its members being regulated agents or regulated air cargo screening facilities were concerned.

The trade association said it has relentlessly fought for financial subsidy for members since the last quarter of 2018, so much so that the Hong Kong government introduced a pilot subsidy scheme in October last year to cover the new X-ray machines and explosive trace detector purchased between 30 October 2018 and 30 June 2021 for the purpose of setting up RACSFs.