Hong Kong hub role at risk amid tighter US checks on cargo
New security rules require all shipments to be fully X-rayed before being loaded on aircraft
Exporters face tougher security controls on airfreight to the United States next week, which, together with similar measures taken by Europe next year, threaten Hong Kong's position as the world's busiest air cargo hub.
The new rules require 100 per cent X-ray screening of all freight and the submission of detailed information about exporters before the cargo is loaded.
For Europe-bound freight, the data will also include security audits of cargo owners and possibly of manufacturers, including those on the mainland.
Dr Paul Tsui Hon-yan, the chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding And Logistics, fears the restrictions will cause delays to shipments and erode Hong Kong's efficient handling of airfreight.
He also questioned whether there is sufficient X-ray capacity at the airport cargo terminals, and wants the development of a dedicated X-ray complex.
Mark Whitehead, the managing director of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd, the biggest airfreight handler at Chek Lap Kok, agreed Hong Kong could lose its place as the world's largest international cargo airport.
Whitehead said one of Hong Kong airport's advantages was its "efficiency of getting cargo in at the last minute" with delivery to Hactl within three or five hours before aircraft take-off.