Earlier this month, Challenge Group received its IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certification. Challenge Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), David Canavan gave more details about this new milestone as well as an update on its perishables services, in an interview with CargoForwarder Global (CFG).
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 1.3 million shipments of lithium batteries are transported by air every year. They also estimate that around 5% of air cargo shipments include lithium batteries, in addition to other electronics and mail parcels. And those are just the shipments officially declared as containing these batteries.
It took Challenge Group six months of intense preparation, training and strict auditing to finalize the accreditation. Lithium Battery shipments have their own separate handling areas, both in the warehouse Dangerous Goods section as well as in the second-line warehouse dedicated to e-commerce.
E-Commerce is a segment to be watched
“E-commerce receives particular attention,” says COO, David Canavan (DC), “since around 70% of e-commerce being flown across the globe, contains Lithium Batteries. That is another reason why more and more air cargo stakeholders should be striving for risk awareness and safe handling. An IATA CEIV Lithium Battery audit is the best way to adopt and ensure company-wide compliance with the required safety standards.”
CFG: Are these consignments allocated specific places in the aircraft?
DC: “Regarding the transportation of lithium batteries on board our aircraft, I would like to assure you that our procedures are fully compliant with Dangerous Goods regulations and the IATA CEIV checklist. We adhere to strict guidelines for positioning lithium batteries to ensure compliance with accessibility and segregation requirements. Specifically, the placement of these batteries is carefully managed to align with the criteria for both accessibility and segregation as outlined in the relevant regulations. Furthermore, once the batteries are loaded onto the aircraft, the crew is thoroughly briefed on their specific location. This ensures that all safety protocols are followed and that the crew is aware of the precise positioning of the cargo”.
CFG: Mr. Canavan, how does the detection procedure work?
DC: “The detection procedure for lithium batteries is a critical component of our acceptance process, fully compliant with Dangerous Goods regulations and the CEIV check list. This procedure encompasses several key steps:
- Documentation: We ensure that all relevant documentation is reviewed and verified to confirm compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Labelling: Each shipment of lithium batteries is accurately labelled according to Dangerous Goods regulations to clearly identify the nature of the cargo.
- Packaging: We verify that the packaging meets all required standards for the safe transportation of lithium batteries, including appropriate containment and protection measures.
- Storage: Once these steps are completed, the batteries are stored in a dedicated segregation area within our warehouse. This area is specifically designed to handle and store lithium batteries safely until they are ready for build-up.
By following these procedures, we ensure that our handling of lithium batteries is safe, compliant, and efficient.”
Front-runner
CFG: Is Challenge a front-runner in this CEIV accreditation?
DC: “Yes, Challenge is indeed a front-runner in CEIV accreditation. Our commitment to operational excellence is demonstrated by our ownership of three prestigious certifications: CEIV Pharma, CEIV Live Animals, and CEIV Lithium Batteries. At our handling facility in Liège, we served as the testing handling agent for the CEIV Pharma certification, reflecting our expertise and leadership in maintaining the highest standards in pharmaceutical cargo handling. Furthermore, we are one of the few organizations, globally, to hold CEIV Lithium Batteries certification, both as an airline and a handling agent. Our extensive certification portfolio underscores our dedication to ensuring top-notch handling practices across diverse cargo types”.
CFG: During the e-commerce forum, it was said that Liège (LGG) could grow into an important flower hub, provided that the handlers invest in vacuum coolers. In a reaction to this, Torsten Wefers said that three handlers are considering this. Is Challenge one of them?
DC: “Challenge has over four decades of expertise in handling and transporting perishable cargo, including flowers. Our facility is equipped with a fast lane and a cooling area capable of accommodating the loading of two full B747 freighters. We are continually focused on enhancing our operational processes and adopting the latest technology to better serve the cool chain industry. While we are actively exploring advancements in technology, including vacuum coolers, we are committed to improving our services to support the flower industry and the broader perishable cargo sector.”
CFG: How many flights does Challenge operate from/to LGG?
DC: “Challenge operates an average of 50 weekly rotations from our hub in Liège (LGG). Our network includes several key trade lanes, with flights serving destinations such as the U.S., China, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.”
CFG: What are the destinations/airports of provenance?
DC: “New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH), Zhengzhou (CGO), Hong Kong (HKG), Tel Aviv (TLV), Dubai (DWC), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL) and Milan (MXP).”
