GBA Services’ recently launched German division has received approval to operate as a carrier of secured air cargo/mail under the newly strengthened German Aviation Act, which takes effect in March.

As a registered haulier, GBA Logistics Germany is now approved for the ground transportation of all air cargo that is secured, working for known consignors and regulated agents.

The German Aviation Act imposes stricter regulations than those set by the European Union, requiring shippers, freight forwarders and hauliers working on their behalf create a security manual setting out their procedures.

Every company involved in the ground transportation of air cargo in Germany must also appoint a security manager, and provide all drivers with security training as well as conduct background checks.

The approval process was done by GBA’s own internal trainer and avsec expert, Maik Maertens, who is an accredited Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA – Federal Aviation Office) instructor.

He says: “For our existing customers as well as freight agents and their customers, GBA can now provide services which not only adhere to the new regulation, but ultimately maintains their secure supply chains and saves them time and money on urgent airfreight shipments.”

All hauliers carrying secured cargo must be approved by the LBA, which oversees the implementation of the new regulations and grants operator approvals.

The approval process and on going compliance normally require the use of an external consultant, at a cost that is likely to be beyond the reach of smaller companies, but GBA were able to use Maertens, who is an accredited trainer.

GBA operates a fleet of vehicles in Germany that are all TAPA II compliant with electronic locks and seals, anti-hijack devices and GPS tracking.