Leading services provider for ground handling and air cargo, dnata has become the first cargo handler to launch cool dollies into operations at Singapore Changi Airport to offer customers excellent service throughout the handling process.
The company’s new high-tech containers are specially designed to serve the pharmaceutical industry with a closed temperature-controlled system for seamless delivery of temperature-sensitive goods between cargo warehouses and aircraft, therby ensuring compliance with international standards and best practices in line with its efforts to enhance cargo safety, operational efficiency, and safe movement.
Providing temperature-controlled storage from -18°C up to +25°C, the cool dollies mitigate risk of temperature deviations and contamination. They have a closed structure with alarms on opening and closing, as well as alerts if temperatures fluctuate above acceptable ranges. As they are fitted with solar panels, the cool dollies are both environmentally friendly and autonomous. The units are also hygienic and easy to clean, which is an important consideration for pharma cargo.
Dirk Goovaerts, dnata’s Regional CEO for Asia Pacific said, “We constantly invest in our people, facilities, equipment and processes to provide world-class services to our customers. Our latest investment in cool dollies underlines our commitment to ensuring the highest quality of supply chain management when handling temperature-sensitive cargo. We continue to enhance our operations to deliver the promises our customers make every day.”
Lim Ching Kiat, Managing Director, Air Hub Development, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said, “The cool dolly services further enhance Singapore as a reliable and quality air hub for pharma and perishables products. Through close collaboration with our air cargo community, Changi Airport is committed to continuously develop our cold chain handling capabilities, providing shippers with the assurance of safe, reliable and efficient air transportation for their special cargo. Changi currently features the largest IATA CEIV Pharma certified air cargo community in Asia Pacific. Together with our community, we are preparing for the effective global air transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.”
dnata’s introduction of another innovative solution to the Singapore market has been widely welcomed and supported by its partners and stakeholders, including the government and the airport operator.
Ho Yuen Sang, Director, Aviation Industry, Civil Aviation Authority Singapore (CAAS) said, “CAAS congratulates dnata on the launch of the cool dollies at Changi Airport today and commend them for continuing to invest in enhancing their capabilities during these challenging times. This is a good example of the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives our aviation community to create more value for Changi’s customers.”
Law Chung Ming, Director for Transport and Logistics, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) said, “dnata’s partnership with local SME, Monzone, which provided the technical expertise for the development of Changi Airport’s first cool dollies, is testament of our ability to co-develop solutions to meet the region’s growing pharmaceutical needs. We look forward to facilitating more collaboration between corporates and our local SMEs, to drive the adoption of innovative solutions.”
dnata has been certified by IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) for its pharma handling processes at Singapore Changi Airport. The company operates a state-of-the-art 1,400 sq mt pharma and perishable handling center at Changi Airport, which is capable of processing 75,000 tonnes of temperature-sensitive goods annually. This enables dnata’s cargo team to offer an uncompromised temperature-controlled handling and storage solution to airline customers in Singapore.
The temperature-controlled areas in the facility are modular, enabling teams to manage changing handling demands with dedicated climate control capability. A web-based monitoring system is also in place to facilitate real-time management of all areas. The cool chain facility enables dnata to provide its customers at Changi with a one-stop audit trail of all consignments whilst being processed through the facility.
To deliver more value for its customers, dnata recently started offering a range of solutions to fast-track time-sensitive imports. The company’s services include priority clearance at its cargo centre and expedited deliveries to its customers’ warehouse facilities within the Changi Airfreight Center/Airport Logistics Park Singapore (ALPS).
The company is soon planning to offer the delivery of temperature-sensitive products in an unbroken cool chain island-wide, providing live tracking and updates to customers through its logistics partners.
