Behind the scenes: Shasitaran's day at work handling perishable air cargo
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in a place where temperatures are at 20 degrees Celsius or below? Believe it or not, you can have such a workplace in Singapore. Just ask Shasitaran Parasuraman, Cargo Coordinator at SATS Cargo (Coolport).
Shasitaran Parasuraman, Cargo Coordinator, SATS Coolport
Shasitaran’s day is often spent in three different temperature zones: 15 to 25 degrees, 2 to 8 degrees, and below zero degrees. That’s why he suits up in a thick padded jacket, along with his safety shoes, vest, and gloves.
SATS Coolport is the first on-airport perishable handling centre in Asia. It spans a whopping 8,000 square metres with 18 cold rooms. Inside these rooms, you’ll find an array of air cargo ranging from dairy products and flowers to fruits and vegetables, frozen products, medicines, and vaccines. This is where everything is stored before it’s flown outside of Singapore or gets claimed by consignees.
Let’s step into Shasitaran’s day at work at the SATS Coolport, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring that perishable air freight in Singapore is handled with care and reaches its destination in top-notch condition.
Two sides of cargo coordination
Shasitaran’s day as a cargo coordinator unfolds with two key assignments – import and export. For the export process, he works alongside a team that handles the buildup of cargo after receiving pharmaceuticals or perishable cargo from shippers. They make sure to note down all important details like flight information and air waybill number.
As they secure the cargo for loading onto Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and PMC pallets and onto the plane, the coordinators conduct thorough checks to ensure the integrity of the cargo. “We check if it’s in good condition, properly sealed, and contains the correct destination and number of pieces,” Shasitaran explains.
Everything must tally with the system information. One tiny error could send air cargo to the wrong destination; hence, Shasitaran takes his job seriously.
During the import process, on the other hand, Shasitaran awaits the arrival of cargo from the airside. Prior to flight arrival, he refers to a cargo manifest, a handy list with information about air freight expected at the SATS Coolport. This allows Shasitaran to plan and decide where each item should be stored. Such careful planning ensures that perishables and pharmaceuticals are stored in the proper temperature zone to maintain the cold chain integrity.
Cargo coordinators like Shasitaran are also entrusted with the important task of handling transshipment. This involves unloading air cargo from an arriving flight at Changi Airport and reloading it onto another departing flight.
Cargo Coordinators handling perishable air cargo at the SATS Coolport
Adventures in air cargo handling
It’s been a couple of years since Shasitaran landed his assignment at SATS Coolport, but his journey in the world of cargo handling at SATS spans almost a decade.
Throughout his career, Shasitaran has worked in a few other departments within SATS Cargo, collecting valuable experiences along the way. It’s safe to say that his adventure was nothing short of enriching.
Back when he first started, Shasitaran took on the role of an Operations Assistant. From there, he gained hands-on experience manning the acceptance counters and soon found himself in the department that handles dangerous goods. Now, he’s handling temperature-sensitive air cargo in Singapore.
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A SATS Cargo Coordinator recording temperature and battery details for an active container
Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Shasitaran chuckles as he confesses, “Honestly, I didn’t know much about air freight when I first joined; I just gave it a shot.” That initial leap of faith swiftly turned to him getting more comfortable in his role.
But even though he has been exposed to the ins and outs of air freight handling, Shasitaran acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn. Working in a 47-hectare airfreight centre that manages more than 5,800 tonnes of air freight every day, Shasitaran describes the SATS Cargo as an exciting environment to learn and grow, especially with a supportive team around.
Warm connections amidst the cold
A cargo coordinator’s job demands a unique blend of mental and physical skills, but if you ask Shasitaran, it’s far from a difficult job. With a playful grin, he quips, “If it were difficult, I wouldn’t be here.”
To him, the true source of enjoyment at work lies in the camaraderie he shares with his teammates, who are not just colleagues, but also companions on a shared mission.
Inside the SATS Coolport, when the workload gets tough, Shasitaran and his team come together, offering a helping hand and supporting one another to ensure every task is carried out.
If you wonder how they cope with working in the chilly temperatures of the SATS Coolport, Shasitaran reveals that the cold environment is not a challenge for them. With a mischievous smile, he jokes, “The cold never bothered me anyway.”
In a more serious tone, however, Shasitaran explains, “We don’t stay inside the cold rooms for prolonged periods. When we are inside, we don’t feel the cold too much because we move around and are occupied with work.”
As Shasitaran continues his journey in the world of air cargo handling in Singapore, one thing remains: he will always embrace new challenges and seize opportunities for learning, regardless of the temperature zones.