Cathay Cargo specialised solutions embrace Vietnam high-tech industries

Cathay Cargo specialised solutions embrace Vietnam high-tech industries

Amid the trends of globalisation and the restructuring of supply chains in the post-pandemic era, the demand for transporting technically sophisticated cargo such as aircraft engines, semiconductor machinery, super-heavy freight, and vehicles has surged significantly.

Cathay Cargo has developed a specialised service known as Cathay Expert, designed to provide comprehensive logistics solutions for high-value, high-risk cargo categories that require stringent safety and precision standards.

Cathay Dangerous Goods, meanwhile, specialises in the professional handling of hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, toxic gases, radioactive substances, and more.

Unlike conventional freight transport, items like aircraft engines, semiconductor machinery, industrial machinery, and vehicles require complex handling processes that demand deep expertise and suitable infrastructure. Each shipment must comply with strict technical specifications, safety monitoring, timely delivery, and international regulatory standards.

Cathay Expert was created as a specialised service platform to help customers, especially those in the aviation, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, overcome the logistical challenges associated with heavyweight, ultra-long, odd-sized vibration-sensitive, fragile items, as well as the most special shipments like helicopters and precision machinery.

“When transporting aircraft engines or semiconductor machinery, mere freight capacity is not enough. Customers need a partner who understands the risks, has rigorous quality control systems, a professionally trained expert team, and end-to-end synchronised processes. That’s why we developed Cathay Expert,” said Duong Ngoc Son, area cargo manager for Vietnam.

Cathay Expert strategically integrates the aviation value chain, from operations and engineering to logistics. Photo: Cathay Cargo

Leveraging its base in Hong Kong, Asia’s leading cargo transshipment hub, Cathay Cargo positions Cathay Expert as a regional service connecting Vietnam with key markets such as Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong.

These markets serve as crucial hubs: Singapore is Southeast Asia’s largest aircraft maintenance and aerospace technology centre, Tokyo Narita is Japan’s transport and technical gateway, a nation renowned for excellence and reliability in heavy industries, while Hong Kong stands as a premier international transshipment point and Cathay Cargo’s global coordination centre.

Vietnam’s commercial airlines, with expanding fleets, face growing demands for regular engine maintenance that complies with ICAO and IATA technical and safety standards. However, local maintenance infrastructure does not yet fully meet the deep technical requirements for next-generation engines.

Therefore, transporting engines to specialised centres around the world has become the preferred choice, ensuring precision, technical quality, and optimal maintenance turnaround times.

Cathay Cargo serves as the logistical bridge, managing the entire process, from receiving cargo at domestic technical warehouses, handling international transportation and customs clearance, to final delivery at maintenance facilities.

With expertise in handling high-tech freight and dedicated teams at key transit points including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo guarantees the entire transport journey adheres to strict standards. This includes specialised packaging, freight or passenger aircraft transport, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and dedicated technical support at airports. Within Vietnam, Cathay Cargo is actively strengthening strategic partnerships with domestic airlines.

The cooperation between Cathay Cargo and Vietnamese carriers not only optimises costs and timing for maintenance operations but also strategically integrates the aviation value chain, from operations and engineering to logistics. By serving as the carrier that transports aircraft engines to specialised service facilities, Cathay Cargo is enabling Vietnamese airlines to maintain operational efficiency and continue flying safely, ultimately supporting them in serving the market more effectively.

Lithium-ion batteries are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from electric vehicles and mobile devices to aerospace applications. However, they are also among the most dangerous air cargo due to risks of fire or explosion from collisions, overheating, or electrical leakage.

To minimise such risks, Cathay Cargo has implemented the Regulated Battery Initiativeservice under Cathay Dangerous Goods. Here, lithium-ion batteries in loose form are packed inside internationally certified fire containment bags, designed to isolate and prevent fire spread in case of incidents.

Moreover, these shipments are strictly monitored by the Dangerous Goods Regulations team, experts trained according to IATA standards, ensuring compliance throughout the journey from origin to delivery.

What sets Cathay Expert apart is its transport capability and advanced real-time monitoring technology and experienced logistics professionals. The cargo tracking system uses GPS sensors and measures temperature and humidity, allowing customers to closely monitor shipment conditions, especially vital for sensitive items like engines and batteries.

HeavyPro is the latest iteration of an app developed by the Cargo Operation Centre and Cathay’s IT teams. This app both automates the calculation process but also generates precise loading diagrams of how and where the shipment should be secured to the hold with restraint straps.

Major transit hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo Narita are equipped with dedicated infrastructure for specialised cargo, including specialised warehouses and heavy-lift unloading facilities. Their technical and logistics teams operate 24/7, ready to manage emergencies and coordinate flexible schedules.

As Vietnam increasingly integrates into global value chains, the demand for transporting high-tech cargo such as aircraft engines, electronic components, and hazardous goods will continue to grow. With Cathay Expert and Cathay Dangerous Goods, Cathay Cargo is not merely providing logistics services but is shaping new standards for specialised cargo transport across the Asia-Pacific region.

VIR