Cathay Cargo Terminal, Hong Kong, reached a significant milestone on Friday, March 21, 2025, and became the first land handling facility of Asia to achieve the International Air Transport Association (Iata) Security Management System (SOMS) certification at the highest initial accreditation level.
Read: Heathrow -Closing: What does it mean for British air freight
This achievement reinforces Hong Kong’s global leadership position in air cargo logistics and sets a new criterion for Aviation Safety Management in Asia. The Iata SEMS certification is awarded to organizations that show extraordinary skills in proactively management of aviation safety risks, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement in response to developing threats.
By implementing the structured SEMS framework, Cathay Cargo terminal emphasizes a data-driven, risk-based approach, which actively addresses the vulnerabilities to ensure the highest levels of operational security.
Cathay Cargo Terminal chief operating officer Mark Watts emphasizes the critical role of safety in air freight operations. He has highlighted recent investments in advanced security technologies, including artificial intelligence-based systems for invasive detection and unguarded cargo monitoring, as well as comprehensive improvement of cyber security.
According to Watts, the achievement of the prestigious SEMS certification reflects the unwavering commitment of the terminal to protect customer equipment, cargo integrity and sensitive data.
Nick Careen, Iata’s senior vice president for operations, safety and security, has recognized this achievement, and has praised Cathay Cargo terminal for the embedding of SEMS principles in its core industry strategy. Careen noted that this certification represents a significant progress in aviation safety practices, which support the broader goals of the industry to improve safety measures through continuous improvement and collaboration. Cathay Cargo Terminal will formally receive its SEMS certification on April 15, 2025 during the upcoming Iata World Cargo Symposium in Dubai.
This latest recognition contributes to the extensive portfolio of Cathay Cargo Termgo Cargo Termal, including the Iata Environmental Avaluation (EDVA), competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) for dangerous goods, and the full range of Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Certificates (CEIV) Certificates in Fresh, Pharmaceuticals, Lithium batteries. Through this landmark certification, Cathay Cargo terminal not only improves its own operating standards, but also contributes significantly to increasing the overall safety framework of the air freight industry in Asia.
