HACTL's 12th International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition took place reently at the company's massive SuperTeminal 1 facility in Hong Kong
HACTL's 12th International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition took place reently at the company's massive SuperTeminal 1 facility in Hong Kong. This year's event focused on the ongoing Safety at Work programme. Nine teams from around the world took part in the competition: Air Canada Cargo, Air France Cargo, IAG Cargo, Air China Cargo, Cargolux, Japan Airlines, KLM, Nippon Cargo Airlines and Qatar Airways.
Competing teams were judged on their ability to speedily manoeuvre a loaded forklift truck through a complicated, simulated warehouse course, delivering cargo to team members to load in compliance with ICAO and IATA international standards for dangerous goods and heavy cargo.
The forklift contest was judged by Steve Hu (Occupational Safety and Health Council) and eight other expert judges. Air Canada Cargo emerged the winners, while second place went to Japan Airlines, third to Nippon Cargo Airlines and IAG Cargo took fourth place.
The pallet building contest was judged by Bob Rogers (ULD Care) and two industry experts. Winners were Air China Cargo, while second place went to Air France Cargo, third to Qatar Airways and fourth place to KLM.
The four overall best performing teams were Japan Airlines as overall champion, Nippon Cargo Airlines as first runner-up, Air Canada Cargo as second runner-up and third runner-up KLM also received awards. The forklift driving safety award was won by Air Canada Cargo.
The awards presentations were made by guests of honour Acting Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr Raymond So Wai-man, Labour Department Chief Occupational Safety Officer Chan Ka-lai, and Occupational Safety and Health Council principal consultant Dr Winson Yeung, together with Hactl chief executive Wilson Kwong.
In keeping with the competition's fun spirit, an award was also presented to the loudest cheering supporter teams. The winners were Japan Airlines, followed by IAG Cargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines. The competition finished with an award-winning Chinese drumming performance over lunch.
Mr Kwong said: 'We were delighted to host this unique competition once again and to welcome so many customers and friends to Hong Kong.
'Mixing machinery and people in a time-constrained environment like air cargo handling always introduces risk. Hactl's annual competition puts a light-hearted, friendly and competitive face on a serious message: that safety in the air cargo workplace is paramount.
'Honing forklift driving skills is a key aspect of this and was clearly evidenced by the excellent performance of the competitors this year.'
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