SATS unveils e-Acceptance, training initiatives

Singapore

SATS Ltd is introducing a one-stop e-Acceptance initiative, which will digitise and speed up the process of lodging export cargo at the ground-handler's air-freight terminals. This comes against the backdrop of a tight labour market in Singapore and will help boost productivity and enhance Changi Airport's status as an air cargo hub.

It is also launching SATS Coolport Academy - an independent training institute offering courses including those certified by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) - making SATS the first ground-handling agent in Asia to offer specialised training in pharmaceutical handling. The academy will help develop the capabilities of the talent pool in Singapore and the region.

Alex Hungate, president and chief executive officer of SATS, said: "SATS is launching these initiatives to capitalise on the three billion people joining Asia's middle classes over the next 15 years. The purchasing power of these people will result in growing e-commerce; demand for safe, high quality food; and increased sales of pharmaceuticals...

"To win this new air cargo business, SATS is investing in training our people to the highest levels in Asia; improving our processes by introducing electronic processing to eliminate paper and enhance productivity; and collaborating with our partners in the Singapore aviation community: the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Changi Airport Group, Iata, SAAA@Singapore and other industry stakeholders to accelerate the rate of adoption of these initiatives across the industry."

The e-Acceptance initiative, for instance, will make transaction processing quicker and reduce the risk of human error. It enables cargo agents to carry out live tracking, improves security by authenticating users and allows cargo agents to process and deliver shipments at a single location. When the e-Acceptance project is fully operational by the year-end, it is expected to boost productivity by 30 per cent and save 600,000 sheets of paper per year.

"This is a key building block for Changi Airport to be a smart gateway for air cargo, reinforcing the airport as a major air cargo hub," said CAAS director-general Yap Ong Heng.

The SATS Coolport centre has been appointed by Iata as its regional training partner in pharmaceutical handling. The 8,000 square metre SATS Coolport is an on-airport perishable-handling centre for the cold chain handling of perishable and high-value pharmaceutical airfreight. "Having it as a regional training partner in pharmaceutical handling will ensure sufficient trained and qualified talent in Singapore to support the growth of this segment," said Conrad Clifford, Iata's regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific.

Shares in SATS closed at S$3.14 on Wednesday, down two cents.