Cathay Cargo Terminal adds new security assurance and technology to its operations
Terminal achieves first IATA SeMS accreditation in Asia and trials autonomous tractors
06 May 2025

Cathay Cargo Terminal has been quietly developing the warehouse of the future, with this year’s innovations focused on security and autonomy. At the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dubai, Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts picked up the new IATA Security Management System (SeMS) certification. Cathay Cargo Terminal is the first ground-handling organisation in Asia to receive the accreditation and attain “Operating Status”, which is the highest possible tier for a first-time SeMS certification.

“Security is foundational for any airport cargo terminal, and we are proud to be recognised by IATA for our strong commitment to all areas of security,” said Watts. “Our recent use of AI to augment intruder detection and unattended cargo detection, as well as our significant investments in cybersecurity, underscore our proactive approach to keeping our customers’ equipment, cargo and data safe.”

The IATA SeMS certification provides a structured framework for proactively managing regulatory compliance, security risks and vulnerabilities. Cathay Cargo Terminal has been commended for demonstrating well-defined security policies, active leadership involvement and robust regulatory compliance mechanisms. The certification joins the complete set of IATA CEIV accreditations: CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, CEIV Live Animals and CEIV Lithium Batteries. The terminal was also one of the first handling companies in Asia to achieve IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certification.

Autonomous tractors

Separately, Cathay Cargo Terminal trialled autonomous electric tractor (AET) operations for direct towing from the inside of the terminal to the cargo apron at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The trial saw fully autonomous electric tow-tractors with four cargo dollies positioning themselves at the correct cargo transfer gate within Cathay Cargo Terminal and, after loading, drive out of the terminal to the furthest cargo apron, delivering cargo to be loaded directly onto a Cathay Cargo flight.

Enhanced security features also allow the tractors to be digitally checked into and out of the terminal without compromising security. The project is a collaborative effort between Cathay Cargo Terminal, the Airport Authority Hong Kong and UISEE, one of the Chinese Mainland’s leading autonomous driving companies.

Watts added: “This has been an important proof-of-concept to show that AETs are capable of more advanced workflows than we have seen so far for cargo, reducing manual processes and significantly enhancing operational efficiency.”

Related articles

  1. Our Business

    Cathay Cargo Terminal adds new security assurance and technology to its operations

    Terminal achieves first IATA SeMS accreditation in Asia and trials autonomous tractors
    Read moreOpen in new window
  2. Our Business

    Your requested features in the latest version of Click & Ship

    Cathay Cargo’s booking platform is now more intuitive and adds new benefits for users
    Read moreOpen in new window
  3. Our Business

    The Cargo global partnerships handover talks

    As Chris Bowden moves on from the Head of Cargo Global Partnerships role, Siddhant Iyer steps in
    Read moreOpen in new window
  4. Our Business

    How Cathay Cargo keeps chilled salmon Cathay Fresh

    Long distances to market mean that high-grade salmon needs expert care in the air
    Read moreOpen in new window

Cookies settings


Essential cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to service requests, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but then some parts of our site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Experience & personalization cookies

These cookies enable our website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some of the content in our website will not be customised for you.

Advertising cookies

Advertising cookies collect information about the browsing habits associated with your device and deliver targeted ads. They are also used by third parties providing their services on this website. Third parties provide these services in return for recognising that you have visited a certain website.

Measurement & analytics cookies

We use analytic cookies to analyse how our visitors use our website. This allows us to provide a high quality experience by customising our offerings and identifying and fixing any issues that arise. We may also use these cookies to highlight articles or site services that we think may interest you, based on your usage of the website.

Feedback