Technology
Keeping track of the way we keep track…Largest independent air cargo terminal to get new IT system
The world’s largest independent air cargo handling facility SuperTerminal1 at Hong Kong’s Chep Lak Kok airport will complete a HK$240 million (USD 30 million) IT upgrade by December.
The new Community System for Air Cargo Plus (COSAC-Plus) system has been developed over the last 3 years by HACTL Solutions Ltd. an independent company established by terminal operator Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals, Ltd. (HACTL) in 2009 according to Airport-world.com .
HACTL is owned by Jardine Matheson (41.76%), Hutchison Port Holdings (20.83%), The Wharf (Holdings) Ltd (20.83% and CNAC (16.67%).
The 391,000 sqm SuperTerminal1 itself employs 2700 people assisted by 40 fully automated driverless elevating transfer vehicles to run a 3500 ULD multi-level storage system with 353 truck doors making the connection between air freight and road haulage.
More than 2,700 staff work in SuperTerminal 1, which boasts a total floor area of 390,943sqm and has facilities that include 353 truck doors, 400 pallet workstations and a multi-level storage system for up to 3,500 ULDs served by 40 fully automated driverless elevating transfer vehicles (ETVs).
COSAC-Plus is the third generation of the COSAC system which was first introduced in 1976 at Hong Kong airports former Kai Tak site, currently being converted into a cruise terminal.
HACTL Solutions’ director, Tan Chee Hong described the original COSAC as “ground-breaking” technology for the industry at that time (Kai Tak nonetheless remained better known for the spectacular approach path necessary to land on runway 13 than its cargo terminal system!)
According to IFW, the original COSAC was the first air cargo community system in Hong Kong, and featured system integration with airlines.
In 1994 it was superceded by COSAC2, which used internet technology to connect forwarders and government agencies to the system. The new system allowed Customs clearances to be performed electronically and introduced handheld data collection devices. The system received its last major upgrade in 1998 during the move to the new airport site on Chep Lap Kok Island just off Lantau Island to Hong Kong’s west. Since then HACTL has doubled its tonnage throughput, setting a record of 2.9 million tonnes in 2010. Aircargo-world.com reports the new system will allow the terminal to handle up to 3.5 million tonnes a year.
“Cosac-Plus builds on the impressive functions and abilities of its two predecessors, and presents a greatly enhanced system in a modern, user-friendly format that will make users much more productive,” said Tan Chee Hong of COSAC’s latest incarnation.
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