Page 20 - ITLN November - December 2024

Feature
Perishable
Logistics

which is crucial for maintaining the
integrity of perishables across the
supply chain.
• CEIV Fresh Certification: RGIA
is working toward this globally
recognised certification from IATA
for handling perishables, ensuring
compliance with international
standards for the transportation of
perishable goods by air."
Handling perishable products in
air cargo terminals requires strict
adherence to quality standards to ensure
product integrity and minimise spoilage,
adds the Adani Airports spokesperson.
"Our terminals comply with ISO 9001-
2015 standards, maintained with
integrity in transit. To support growing 20,000-pallet position cold storage accurate temperature control throughout
demand, especially for FreshForward, facility in Mehsana, scheduled to the handling process, ensuring the
expansion plans are in motion. These be operational in 2025. This facility, consignments are tendered ready
include upgrading cold storage at our designed for Hyfun's processed for carriage with proper packing and
Abu Dhabi hub to handle more high- potatoes, is expected to set new handling instructions. SOPs are strictly
demand perishables like fresh produce industry standards and demonstrates followed for handling perishables
and seafood, investing in IoT-enabled our commitment to advancing India's including unloading, storage and
sensors for real-time monitoring of cold chain infrastructure." loading. Regular inspections, quality
temperature and humidity to improve Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo control checks and periodic audits are
efficiency and transparency, and currently operate 31 passenger flights conducted to constantly monitor process,
partnering with industry leaders to and 13 freighter flights a week to/from quality parameters and identify if there
enhance cool chain solutions and India, covering Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore are any gaps.
global connectivity. These investments and Chennai, says Owen. “India is an "The perishable goods terminals at
reflect Etihad Cargo's commitment to important market for Cathay, and we Adani Airports have robust traceability
maintaining top-tier service quality while will continue to add more flights to our systems to track the movement of
meeting the growing global demand for schedule for our customers. The Cathay perishables in real-time. Contingency
safe, sustainable perishables transport." group has made significant investments measures are in place to address
Adani Airports currently offer an in new aircraft over the next seven years, emergencies such as power outages,
annual capacity of over 140,000 tonnes including six Airbus A350F freighter equipment failure, system failure and
for the handling and processing of aircraft with the option to acquire an other disruptions. By adhering to these
perishable consignments, and the additional 20 in future, which will allow certifications and quality compliances,
upcoming dedicated perishable facility in additional cargo capacity and further Adani Airports ensure safe and
the Integrated terminal at Ahmedabad expand our global network.” efficient handling of perishable
airport will further add an annual products, preserving their quality and
throughput capacity of 16,000 tonnes. How to handle different certifications minimising losses."
The perishables logistics sector Hyderabad Airport works closely with
remains an essential pillar for Maersk regulatory bodies such as the APEDA, Perishables handling and technology
in India, says Agarwal. "We wish to Marine Products Export Development Technology facilitates cold chain
continue serving it through our robust Authority (MPEDA) and the Food Safety management, for example temperature-
ocean freight network for imports and and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) controlled packaging solutions, vehicles
exports. Our strategic depot network is to ensure that perishable exports meet and cold storage, says Owen of Cathay
crucial in supporting perishable imports all required certifications and standards Cargo. "Moreover, IoT devices play an
across India, and it is complemented by for international trade, says Panicker. important role in maintaining quality
our operational cold storage facility in "The airport is also working on standards when the perishable shipment
Chennai, which serves critical import meeting the following standards: is on-the-go by monitoring its condition
and storage needs. We're particularly • The ISO 9001:2015 (Quality and providing alerts for any deviations
excited about our upcoming expansion Management) guarantees consistent from set parameters. With more data
in Gujarat where we're developing a quality in cargo handling processes, generated, technology also helps with
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