Sea-air boost for Singapore after airport and boxport alliance
09 / 05 / 2019
Signing the MoU
Singapore’s sea-air connectivity has received a further boost by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Changi airport ground handler SATS and deep sea container port operator PSA.
A joint statement said that the agreement, facilitated by Enterprise Singapore, will provide cargo owners and logistics service providers with “seamless connectivity for greater supply chain efficiency, and to boost Singapore’s status as a key multimodal transport hub”.
PSA and SATS will collaborate on a range of cross-industry initiatives, particularly in the perishables, electronics, and e-commerce.
‘Yard-to-Port’ data linkages and network extensions between both companies will enhance track-and-trace capabilities and data transparency that will enable ease of shipment movement within different free-trade zones (FTZs). SATS’ services could potentially be extended to new trade routes across both companies’ networks.
SATS was the world’s first ground handler to receive European Union (EU) approval as an authorised establishment for meat transhipment services between New Zealand and the EU.
The joint statement added: “Combining sea and air connectivity services, the partnership between PSA and SATS strengthens Singapore’s position as a global transshipment hub for air and sea cargo, paving the way for new business models and supply chain innovation.
“The freight industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises, also stands to benefit from improved multimodal linkages and transit systems for better supply chain efficiency, optimised transport costs, and faster delivery.”
SATS and PSA will also integrate their systems to aid regulatory compliance and build data analytics capabilities. COSYS+, a cargo terminal handling & management system operated by SATS, will be linked with CALISTA, the global supply chain platform developed by PSA’s subsidiary GeTS Asia.
It will provide real-time updates and greater visibility for shipments transported via multimodal channels. SATS president and chief executive Alex Hungate said: “We hope our cross-industry initiatives with PSA will now enable the whole industry to market efficient multimodal solutions globally, through Singapore.”
PSA International group chief executive Tan Chong Meng, said: “Shippers are increasingly seeking innovative multimodal solutions for their cargo to reach their preferred markets competitively. “This partnership with SATS will enhance Singapore’s ability to offer unique air-sea multimodal connectivity to fulfil these demands.
In addition, through digitally connecting CALISTA and COSYS+, we will be able to offer multimodal users greater visibility of their cargo and better protection of cargo integrity, with optimised transit times and costs.”