Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) – Hong Kong’s largest independent handler – has obtained accreditation under IATA’s CEIV Lithium Batteries (Li-batt) standard.
Hactl now holds all four IATA CEIV accreditations (pharma, fresh, live animals, Li-batt).
Given the risks arising from incorrect packaging and handling of battery shipments, Hactl has been steadily tightening its procedures and improving resources for handling such traffic over recent years. Measures to date have included additional in-house staff training to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) standards (Hactl has been an IATA Accredited Training School since 2003, authorised to train its own and third-party staff) and IATA Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations.
The handler has also opened a dedicated DGR zone with competent, experienced staff; and has undertaken proactive facilitation of agents and shippers in the correct declaration, handling and storage of lithium battery shipments.
Brendan Sullivan, global head of cargo at IATA, said: “CEIV Li-batt brings vitally important regulation and consistency to the potentially hazardous business of transporting lithium batteries by air. We are delighted that Hactl has adopted this latest accreditation scheme, following their successful certification under all other CEIV standards. In doing so, they are helping to promote its importance for the entire handling sector.”
Amy Lam, Hactl executive director and chief financial officer, added: “Lithium batteries will become an increasing element of air cargo traffic globally, so ensuring the correct procedures and training for handling them has never been more important.”
Hactl policy is to undertake certification to all relevant standards.
Hactl executive director and chief financial officer Amy Lam (right) receives the IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries certificate from Yvonne Ho, IATA general manager, Hong Kong and Macau. Image courtesy of Hactl
