Starting on 5 August 2024, freight forwarders and trucking companies could start making slot bookings on the Truck Dock Slot Booking (TDSB) platform for physical cargo lodgement at dnata and SAT’s cargo terminals.

TDSB is an integrated online booking system for freight forwarders and trucking companies to pre-book slots for truck docks at the cargo terminals. It empowers freight forwarders and their sub-contracted trucking companies to plan and coordinate their cargo handover at the cargo terminals, thereby introducing greater visibility and predictability to the cargo lodgement and collection process for all stakeholders. In particular, TDSB is expected to reduce waiting time for truckers and optimise manpower resources of ground handling agents (GHAs) and freight forwarders. The GHAs will also be able to pre-plan resources to support timely cargo lodgement or collection.

This digital and process improvement initiative is operationalised by the two GHAs, SATS and dnata, supported by Changi Airport Group (CAG), together with the Singapore Air Cargo Agents Association, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Workforce Singapore, and Enterprise Singapore. Digital transformation is essential to move the Singapore air cargo hub towards greater efficiency and resource optimisation. It will also contribute towards a more efficient and greener Singapore air cargo hub.

Over the past few months, a series of outreach and training sessions were conducted for the Singapore air cargo community to support the freight forwarders and trucking companies in the change management process. The cargo agents participated in hands-on training to learn and practise, as well as to familiarise themselves with the updated ground operational processes at the cargo terminals.

About 300 companies have since registered for TDSB. In the first week of launch for export shipments, the community achieved over 3,000 successful slots execution. CAG and the GHAs will continue to work with the community to refine the processes and carefully consider the feedback from the forwarders and trucking companies. We thank the air cargo community for their support in adopting TDSB in their cargo operations.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and a consortium of companies comprising of Alliance 21, ACS Freight Services, dnata Singapore and SATS co-exhibited at the Air Cargo China (ACC) event held in Shanghai, China from 25 to 27 June 2024 to jointly showcase the value propositions and capabilities of the Changi air cargo hub. Organised by Messe Muenchen alongside Transport Logistic China, ACC is the largest air cargo tradeshow in Asia. This year, more than 794 exhibitors and 36,000 visitors attended the event.

During the 3-day event, the Changi Pavilion facilitated invaluable networking opportunities and numerous business engagements. It was also an effective platform for CAG and our partners in forging new partnerships and collaborations.

Benjamin Yeo, Director of ACS Freight Services, commented: “In just three days, our team was able to interact with airlines and freight forwarders and promote our services to many interested parties. We have even had potential clients visit our office. In all, we have gathered that the air cargo industry is set to grow, especially in the Asia Pacific region. CAG invested great amounts of time, effort, and resources into this event, and we are truly thankful to be part of this experience.”

Alvin Ong, Director and General Manager of Alliance 21 Group, added: “Co-exhibiting at Air Cargo China 2024 alongside CAG allowed us to demonstrate our shared commitment to innovation in air freight. We were able to engage with numerous clients and prospects, strengthening our relationships and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.”

Neo Su Yin, Managing Director of Airport Operations at dnata Singapore, remarked: “Being part of the Singapore airport community and collaborating with CAG and other valued stakeholders was extremely beneficial. Together, we showcased Changi Airport’s infrastructure, innovation, and operational processes, affirming its status as a leading air cargo hub.”

Liu Bo, Vice President of SATS Gateway Services added: “We would like to thank CAG for the opportunity to be a co-exhibitor at Air Cargo China 2024. The event is a great platform to promote SATS group to the industry players especially those from China. A number of new business leads emerged through constructive discussions with many customers and friends. We look forward to partnering with CAG again in similar forums in the near future.”

Both the 2024 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) and 2024 Air Cargo Week World Air Cargo Awards took place in conjunction with ACC. Changi Airport received the Best Green Airport award at AFLAS Awards and was recognised as a finalist for “Airport of the Year” at the World Air Cargo Awards.

The Changi Pavilion at ACC is a testament to the strong collaboration and robust partnership amongst the Singapore air cargo stakeholders. We look forward to another successful event at the forthcoming TIACA Air Cargo Forum in Miami, United States, between 11 and 14 November 2024.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) prioritises sustainability and adopts a broad-based and community approach towards building a more sustainable air hub in Singapore.

CAG was delighted to be part of DB Schenker Singapore’s first-ever Sustainability Forum on 1 July 2024. With companies increasingly recognising the importance of sustainability, the forum gathers supply chain and logistics industry experts to discuss best practices as well as the challenges when implementing sustainability initiatives. From renewable aviation fuel to circularity practices, the forum showcased a wide range of sustainability initiatives.

Jaisey Yip, Vice President, Cargo Business Division of CAG, shared that the key focus areas in CAG’s environmental sustainability strategy include 1) promoting the uplift of SAF, 2) reducing the energy consumption of our infrastructure and ground support equipment, 3) leveraging digitalisation and technology for operational efficiencies, and 4) stepping up waste management. In expanding the use of clean energy, Changi Airport has started work on a large-scale installation of solar panels on the roofs of the airport buildings, including the Cargo Agent Buildings in Changi Airfreight Centre. When completed in 2025, this will be Singapore’s largest single-site rooftop solar panel system.

During the same week, CAG participated in the Lufthansa Cargo Sustainability Conference Asia, held on 2 Jul 2024 in Singapore. The event began with an inspiring opening speech by Ambassador Dr. Norbert Riedel of the Federal Republic of Germany. The conference featured expert workshops, panel discussions, and presentations from industry leaders, including Lufthansa Cargo, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), DB Schenker, BASF, Neste, and Boeing. Discussions emphasised the crucial role of sustainability in driving innovation and regulatory progress, highlighting the collective commitment to making a positive environmental impact.

Daniel Ng, Chief Sustainability Officer / Senior Director (Aviation Development) of CAAS introduced the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which aims to reduce domestic aviation emissions from airport operations by 20% from 2019 levels in 2023 and achieve net zero domestic and international aviation emissions by 2025. This can be achieved by maximal efforts to reduce energy use and deploy renewables in the airport domain, building an ecosystem to support the use of SAF in Singapore, and lastly, operational improvements to increase efficiency and reduce fuel burn in the Air Traffic Management domain. This is coupled with critical enablers such as policy and regulation, industry development, infrastructure planning and provision, workforce transformation, international partnerships and collaborations, to build coalitions for action.

1. Congratulations to FedEx Express on operating freighter flights to Changi Airport for the past 35 years! Could you take us back to the origins of FedEx Express in Singapore and share how the airline’s operations have evolved over the years here?

   FedEx has come a long way since establishing our presence in Singapore in 1984. Over the past 40 years, our operations at Changi Airport have evolved dramatically, reflecting our commitment to Singapore, innovation, and our Purple Promise of making every FedEx experience outstanding for our customers.

   Our partnership with Changi Airport began in 1989, following our acquisition of Flying Tigers. This marked the start of our flight operations in Singapore with our iconic FedEx Purple Tail planes 35 years ago! As our business expanded, we introduced faster shipping solutions and expanded capacity. This resulted in increasing our weekly flights through Changi Airport from 28 to 36 in 2002. Additionally, we also upgraded our fleet with newer models like the Boeing 777 freighter and the B767 Freighter, enhancing our capacity and efficiency to serve the growth of our customers.

   In 2012, we took a major step forward by launching the FedEx South Pacific Regional Hub in Singapore, which was designed to better support customers in the Asia Pacific region and enhance their access to global markets. This facility integrates our air, ground, and clearance operations under one roof and continues to serve as a central part of our operations today.

2. Today, FedEx Express operates over 50 weekly flights out of its South Pacific Regional Hub at Changi Airport. What role does the South Pacific Regional hub play within FedEx Express’ global network?

   The South Pacific Regional Hub at Changi Airport is a strategic focal point within the global network of FedEx. Since its official opening in October 2012, this 282,700-square-foot facility has been central to maintaining the company’s speed, reliability, and extensive reach to over 220 countries and territories. It also plays a key role in supporting Singapore’s status as a major global logistics hub. With more than 50 weekly flights, the hub serves as a key link, connecting customers to major markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

   The hub functions as a regional consolidation point for trans-shipments in and out of Australia, New Zealand, and neighbouring Southeast Asian markets. It remains the only express transportation facility in Singapore that integrates air, ground, and clearance operations under one roof. Additionally, it is the only hub that provides on-site facilitation for cargo shipment clearance by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Customs, which enables faster and more convenient customs processing for FedEx customers.

   The facility is equipped with a fully automated high-speed sorting system capable of processing up to 12,000 packages per hour, ensuring efficient handling of shipments. In December 2022, FedEx further enhanced the hub with the introduction of an AI-powered intelligent sorting robot. This robotic arm can sort up to 1,000 packages per hour, handle up to 5kg per package, and cover up to 100 destinations simultaneously.

3. Looking ahead, how does FedEx Express envisage your operations in Singapore to evolve, and what are some of the key focus areas in the near to medium term?

   At FedEx, our mission is to make supply chains smarter for everyone, and we are transforming to build the world’s most flexible, efficient, and intelligent logistics network. Our operations in Singapore are becoming increasingly smarter and more digital-driven. The installation of our AI-powered robotic sorting arm at our South Pacific Regional hub and the use of advanced analytics to plan our routes are just some of the steps we have taken towards digitising our operations and building a smart logistics network.

   In the near to medium term, our focus is to become the preferred integrated transport and logistics service provider for Singaporean businesses, especially small-and-medium enterprises and e-tailers. Alongside our comprehensive suite of logistics services and digital solutions, what sets us apart is our position as a one-stop-shop logistics service provider with a global network for both parcel and freight shipments to support the growth and international trade ambitions of our customers.

   Looking ahead, we are excited about the opportunities that will arise from the expansion of Changi Airport’s cargo facilities as part of the Changi East development. This new Smart Air Cargo Hub will not only play a major role in helping Changi Airport secure its position as a leading air hub but will also enable FedEx to meet the evolving cargo shipping needs of customers.