In the post-Covid era, cargo operators face the dual challenge of recovery while confronting societal pressures to become more sustainable. Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) is committed to addressing these challenges head-on, believing that more environmentally-friendly practices and growth are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other effectively.
“One of the key challenges AAT faces in its pursuit of sustainability in the air cargo industry is balancing environmental goals with operational demands,” Mike Chew, AAT’s Chief Executive Officer, stated.
“As a cargo terminal operator, we need to ensure efficient and timely handling of goods while minimising our environmental impact. This requires careful planning and optimisation of processes, equipment, and resources to achieve a sustainable balance.
“We are proud to state that AAT has made commendable progress in addressing this challenge, remaining steadfast on the right track.
“At AAT, we believe in integrating environmentally-friendly measures into our operations to minimise our carbon footprint, prioritising several key strategies to balance growth and greener operations.”
Investment and advancement
AAT has been working to utilise advanced energy-efficient vehicles such as by converting 95 percent of our work vehicles to electric power. The recent launch of Autonomous Electric Tractors (AETs) represents yet another example of their eco-friendly initiatives that substantially reduce carbon emissions while automating processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
“The investment in autonomous vehicles aligns with our approach to sustainability and innovation. Firstly, as vehicles are electric-powered, it reduces carbon emissions and contributes to a greener environment, which aligns with our commitment to reducing carbon footprint and promoting sustainable operations,” Chew explained.
“Secondly, it aligns with our approach to process innovation. Operational resilience is critical in the fast-paced world of air cargo logistics, especially during peak seasons and manpower shortage currently faced by the industry.”
The facility has been developing smart infrastructure to facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources including, a new electric vehicle (“EV”) charging station for staff and tenants at the terminals.
Alongside this, they have been implementing energy-saving measures in the development of their facilities. An example to note is the launch of AAT COOLPORT, Hong Kong’s first on-airport cold chain centre with a completely temperature-controlled environment covering the entire handling process. It reflects their sustainable approach by incorporating non-ozone depleting refrigerants, double doors, speed doors and thermal insulation panels to optimise energy efficiency.
As well as this, AAT has been exploring renewable energy sources, including the implementation of solar-powered LED lights for outdoor areas around AAT premises.
“We regularly monitor and report on our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to identify areas for improvement and track progress toward our sustainability goals,” he continued.
“AAT has installed smart meters to track the electricity consumption of equipment. The meters enabled the team to identify hotspots of high energy consumption systems so that they can focus upgrading efforts and allow quicker response to any unusual activity (trips, faults, etc.).”
Key component
AAT’s commitment to sustainability seeks to go beyond regulatory compliance and customer demands. “We see sustainability as a fundamental responsibility and a key driver of our long-term success,” Chew asserted.
“While customer demands and regulations play a role, our dedication to sustainability goes beyond compliance. We actively collaborate with industry bodies and initiatives to set sustainability goals and share knowledge.”
AAT has set up a dedicated Sustainability Committee within the company, which oversees the implementation and monitoring of sustainability strategies.
“This committee is comprised of management across all divisions, the inclusive approach ensures that sustainability is considered from multiple perspectives and that our strategies and actions align with our values,” Chew explained.
“The committee’s purpose is to manage, implement, and monitor our sustainability strategy, targets, performance, action plans, and reporting. This approach ensures that sustainability is integrated throughout our organisation and reflects our commitment to making it a core value at AAT.”
Trending operations
Looking ahead, AAT foresees several future trends and innovations shaping the sustainability landscape of its operations.
First, they anticipate continued advancements in electric and autonomous technologies. This includes the adoption of electric-powered ground support equipment, advanced robotics, and further integration of automation to streamline processes and reduce environmental impact.
Additionally, they foresee a greater emphasis on harnessing renewable energy within operations. This may involve the installation of solar panels and the exploration of other renewable energy options to power facilities, reducing dependency on traditional energy sources and further reducing carbon footprint.
Furthermore, data analytics and artificial intelligence will play an increasingly significant role in optimising sustainability efforts. By leveraging data-driven insights, they can identify areas for improvement, implement predictive maintenance strategies, and optimise resource allocation, ultimately enhancing efficiency and minimising environmental impact.
Lastly, collaboration and partnerships will continue to shape sustainability initiatives. As such, AAT is seeking collaborations with government bodies, industry associations, and technology providers. By participating in initiatives like the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA) and the Hong Kong International Airport 2050 Net Zero Carbon Pledge programme, AAT aims to develop innovative solutions and share best practices to achieve a more sustainable future.
“AAT remains committed to staying at the forefront of sustainability by embracing emerging trends and innovations. We are dedicated to continuously improving our operations, reducing environmental impact, and setting industry benchmarks for sustainable practices,” Chew declared.
“Together, AAT could go above and beyond for a better future and a better community.”
