This new initiative was launched by Cargolux in order to emphasize the importance of careful and proper DGR handling and to recognize the particular efforts of those ground handling partners who demonstrate a high level of awareness and diligence with regard to the handling of DGR in their daily work.

It is the ground handler’s duty to establish that all relevant checks are conducted and irregularities reported in a timely manner to warrant that only correctly packed, labeled and documented DGR shipments are transported by Cargolux. The Cargolux DGR Awareness Award, intended to be annual, will be given following a joint decision by the Aviation Safety and Ground Services departments on the basis of data from Ground Safety Reports, Air Safety Reports and any other relevant reports received.

Throughout 2012, LUG has been very effective in spotting and reporting incorrectly documented and labeled shipments containing Lithium Batteries, which has helped Cargolux to comply with air regulations and to lower the residual risk in the transport of dangerous goods.

Presenting the award, Henrik Ambak , Cargolux VP Ground Services said: ‘It’s a pleasure for Cargolux to recognize the efforts of Andreas Wetz and his team at LUG for a job very well done, in particular when it comes to lithium battery shipments and their documentation and labeling. While the transportation of dangerous goods is a growing part of our business, it is also the part of our business that requires the most attention of all stakeholders, especially from our handling partners, who play a big role in making sure that the required barriers to make the transportation of these goods safe are all in place’.

Being responsible for the Aviation Safety activities at Cargolux, Captain and VP Head of Aviation Safety, Mattias Pak stated: ‘As an operating Captain and as the Head of Aviation Safety the transportation of dangerous goods in general and lithium batteries in particular are among the issues that rank highest on my agenda when it comes to the need of effective risk mitigation. Judging by the reports we have received, we are pleased to commend LUG for their highly professional and conscientious approach and for helping us identify potential shortcomings in our system. A successful Safety Management System relies amongst other issues on the constant willingness to challenge ourselves and our partners and to improve continuously where needed and possible’.

Patrik O. Tschirch, Managing Director and COO of LUG aircargo handling who received the award together with Nina Hampel, Manager Sales and Customer Service, Andreas Wetz, head, and Apostolos Martinis, deputy head of the DGR department of LUG, commented: We are very proud to have won this award. It puts the spotlight on the complexities and challenges in this product segment and underscores our efforts to meet safety and security as well as efficiency and cost effectiveness goals. The award confirms that we are on the right track with our high operational and staff training standards. Our scrupulousness can be perceived as challenging at times, but it is a feature of our premium service. The advantage for our customers: we guarantee optimal safety and security for all shipments, passengers, airplanes, and the environment.’

LUG offers services from receipt to positioning and retrieval for all hazardous cargo classifications (except class 7). It also advises customers on export packaging, declaration, and labeling of dangerous goods.