Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) is opening 12 new Automated Service Kiosks (ASKs) to speed up collection of import cargo from its SuperTerminal 1 facility. Hactl – – Hong Kong’s largest independent cargo handler – is the first cargo terminal operator there to introduce such a system.
Under the current manual, paper-based system, freight agents or consignees collecting import cargo from Hactl first visit the airline to obtain a Shipment Release Form (SRF), which authorises Hactl to release the goods to the bearer. On presentation of the SRF at the imports reception counter, Hactl staff visually verify the SRF bearer’s identity against their identification documents, check the SRF’s authenticity and trigger the release of the cargo via COSAC-Plus, Hactl’s cargo management system. They hand-write the SRF bearer’s name, ID number, and time of SRF presentation on the SRF, which the bearer then presents at one of the terminal’s cargo collection points. Hactl processes some 1,000 SRFs every single day.
Under the new system, the agent or consignee obtains the SRF from the airline, but then visits one of the 12 ASKs near the cargo pick up areas. The SRF bearer presents their ID, which the system automatically authenticates using technology already widely employed by government bodies. Its validity is also checked, the details of the shipment collection are recorded, and the physical release of the cargo is then automatically triggered via COSAC-Plus.
If the cargo is unitised, the system displays a pick-list from which the SRF bearer can select the pieces to be collected, in order of priority. All personal identifiable information collected by the system is encrypted, and is purged after a set period.
Hactl executive director – operations, Paul Cheng said: “The old import release system is labour-intensive and often causes queues at peak times. Manual checking of IDs, and completion of the SRFs by hand under pressure, also have the potential for errors.
“ASK is the first phase of our import cargo collection digitalisation journey. It speeds up the whole collection process, and gives customers greater control over the order in which they collect their shipments. It will eradicate queuing, improve accuracy of ID and SRF checking, and release valuable Hactl personnel for more productive duties.
“For our airline customers, the ASKs represent a further enhancement to our already strong security, helping to ensure cargo is only ever able to be collected by the legitimate party.”