ACR invests R1.4m in new X-ray machines

JOY ORLEK THE AIRFREIGHT industry is gearing up for the imminent implementation of Regulation Part108 which will demand the identification of all goods placed on board aircraft in South Africa and require all cargo to be X-rayed or otherwise screened prior to loading. The impact on the industry will be significant, requiring all companies directly handling air cargo to acquire their own X-ray screening units, or outsource this function to those who have them. Some operators have already made proactive moves in that direction, among them Airline Cargo Resources, which has invested R1.4m in the purchase of two machines in Cape Town and Johannesburg. “They’re the largest ever to enter the country,” says operations director Malcolm Tonkin, “and went into operation in December last year.” In terms of United States Transport Security Administration regulations, 30% of cargo on board aircraft must be screened. As the handling agent for Delta Airlines, ACR has set its targets at 100%, says Tonkin, “and this has been achieved effortlessly given the capabilities of the machine. “It allows for fast and accurate screening of an entire pallet in one operation – no need for pallets to be broken down. And because it maintains the integrity of the pallet, it’s easier to confirm the contents of a shipment, detect tampering and facilitate storage. “It includes a heavy duty conveyor with a capacity of 3000kg, expressly designed to facilitate easy loading and unloading of pallets via a forklift.” Once Part 108 is implemented there could be big changes for ground handling agents at the airport, in Tonkin’s view. “The smaller operators are unlikely to have the resources to sustain an investment of this size. We predict a major shake-up of the industry this year.”