SCSC cargo terminal received TAPA FSR Class A recognition in 2012

Archived report covering December 2012. Shareholding, licences, recognition, capacity and security arrangements describe the situation in the original report and do not confirm current status.

The original report listed the shareholders of Saigon Cargo Service Corporation (SCSC) as follows:

• Airports Corporation of Vietnam: 16%.
• Gemadept Corporation: 29%.
• A41 Aircraft Maintenance Company: 15%.
• Financial investors: 24%.
• Private shareholders: 16%.

With an investment of USD 50 million, the SCSC air cargo terminal was built on a 143,000 m² site at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The report described three areas:

• Aircraft apron: 52,000 m², accommodating three B747F or five A321 aircraft simultaneously.
• Cargo terminal: 27,000 m², with annual handling capacity of up to 350,000 tonnes.
• Warehouses, parking and office buildings: 64,000 m².

Planning began in May 2008 and construction started in March 2009. The SCSC cargo terminal entered operation in early October 2010.

Licences and records cited in the original report

1. Business registration certificate No.

- 4103009937 dated 8 April 2008, issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment.

2. Investment certificate No.

- 41121000112 dated 20 April 2009, issued by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for the air cargo terminal project at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

3. Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam licence No.

- 1696/GPCCDV-CHK dated 28 May 2010, permitting SCSC to provide international air cargo terminal services at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Services described in the report

• Handling domestic, import, export, transit and trans-shipment cargo.
• Cargo consolidation warehousing.
• Bonded warehousing and on-board courier (OBC) cargo.
• Office and warehouse rental.

TAPA FSR certification

The report stated that SCSC held TAPA Freight Security Requirements (FSR) Class A certification, certificate No. 126925-2012-AQ-VNM-TAPA dated 5 December 2012, and ISAGO recognition, record No. CTN-#086, in support of airline customer expectations in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.

Security and safety arrangements

Security received close attention in daily terminal operations. Maintaining a high level of security helped protect cargo and aircraft and supported reliable services for airline customers and their partners.

SCSC worked with airport authorities, Customs and other relevant organisations to maintain secure, efficient cargo-handling processes. The report described an X-ray machine large enough to screen a complete unit load device (ULD), terminal-wide CCTV coverage and continuous 24/7 patrols by a professional security company. These controls supported the terminal's TAPA Class A security arrangements at the time.

1. Cargo and personnel access control

Cargo handled through the terminal was screened under the applicable Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam requirements. Large-format screening equipment allowed loaded pallets, containers and loose cargo to be checked before loading. Once screened and moved into storage, cargo was no longer accessible to agents or shippers.

Only people with relevant business could enter through controlled gates equipped with identification-card readers and barriers. Security staff also protected terminal facilities throughout the day.

2. Monitoring systems

The report described a CCTV system with 150 cameras covering the terminal. Specially trained security personnel monitored sensitive areas from the control centre, and recordings were retained for 60 days.

3. Vulnerable and high-value cargo

High-value cargo was stored in a separate secure room, enclosed on all sides including the roof and closely monitored by CCTV.

The 47 m² secure room for valuable cargo (VAL) was equipped with anti-intrusion systems. Two sequential steel rolling doors used infrared alarms to alert the control centre and detect entry.

Access controls combined keyed and magnetic locks with door systems requiring both manual and electrical operation.

4. Dangerous-goods management

The report described dangerous-goods training delivered through IATA and customer airlines to prepare SCSC staff for specialist handling. Two separate storage rooms were provided: a 24 m² room for radioactive materials up to the stated total transport index of 50, and a 90 m² room for the remaining eight dangerous-goods classes. These areas were closely monitored, with emergency services notified if an abnormal situation arose.

5. Fire prevention and response

A fire protection system covered cargo-handling and office areas, including sprinklers where required. Fire alarms transmitted information to the security centre as part of the terminal's overall safety system, supporting rapid detection, orderly evacuation and response by on-site personnel. The historical report stated that fire alarms triggered an on-site assessment within three minutes.