In a land-scarce country like Singapore, most of the fresh produce and seafood we consume are imported from neighbouring countries. Strawberries from Korea, salmon from Japan, and mangoes from Thailand. Have you ever wondered how they reach supermarket shelves in perfect condition, even though they come thousands of miles away?
The answer lies in cold chain logistics, where temperature-sensitive cargo like perishables and pharmaceuticals is maintained at optimal conditions from origin to destination.
Perishables like fruits are transported through the cold chain to preserve their quality and freshness
SATS plays a crucial role in the global cold chain network, with 42 cold room facilities across 27 countries in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Our flagship centres connect major pharmaceutical corridors across the globe, from Hong Kong to Amsterdam to New York, so that sensitive cargo remains intact.
Our cold chain services are characterised by:
SATS Coolport spans 8,000 sqft and has an annual handling capacity of 250,000 tonnes
In Singapore, SATS operates Coolport, Asia’s first on-airport perishable handling centre, purpose-built for cold chain airfreight. Equipped with electronic temperature monitoring and multiple cold rooms, Coolport handles commodities with different temperature requirements:
Coolport also features temperature-controlled truck docks, ensuring agents lodge and collect cargo in a controlled environment. Systems like BMS (Building Management System) trigger alarms for temperature deviations, while COSYS+, SATS’ in-house cargo management system, ensures full traceability.
Muhd Nabeel Bin Ayub, Executive, Coolport Operations - SATS Cargo
Nabeel has been with SATS since 2018, but his Coolport journey began in 2021. Fresh out of National Service, he first joined SATS as a Ramp Loading Officer in Terminal 1, loading baggage and cargo onto the aircraft.
While most of his peers looked outside the airport for new opportunities after three years, Nabeel chose differently. “I didn’t want to leave SATS. I saw opportunities here where I could grow my career.”
He was selected for the Earn-and-Learn Programme (similar to a Work-Study Diploma Programme), where SATS sponsored his Specialist Diploma in Aviation Management. “Studying while working, without worrying about tuition – that was a big deal for me.”
In 2021, Nabeel found a job opening at SATS Cargo as a Duty Manager. That’s how he came into Coolport. “I didn’t know what Coolport was at first, just that it handled perishable goods that came into Singapore. But when I joined, the team was welcoming, and my boss guided me patiently. I’ll never forget that.”
Cargo coordinators at SATS Coolport operate in temperature-controlled cold rooms ranging from -18°C to 25°C
"When I thought of cargo, I imagined sweaty warehouses and forklifts,” Nabeel laughs. “The forklifts are real, but the sweat? Not so much. It’s actually like working in a giant fridge.”
His first months were spent learning value-added services before moving into operations. “It was overwhelming at first. There were so many processes. But I realised this was about protecting things people care about – food for Chinese New Year and Christmas celebrations, medicines that save lives.”
Earlier this year, he was promoted to Executive in Coolport Operations, an achievement he takes pride in. “I want it to inspire my colleagues in the frontlines, that there are pathways for us to grow at SATS,” he shares.
Nabeel is responsible for keeping the cold chain in Singapore intact. Daily, his tasks revolve around:
Nabeel's role involves troubleshooting any delays, equipment issues, or temperature deviations
But each day is dynamic. Mornings could mean handling fresh seafood for festive markets, while afternoons might involve vaccines or medicines bound for hospitals. Disruptions happen, but when they do, Nabeel works with duty managers and technical teams to resolve issues fast, while keeping customers informed.
“It’s challenging, yes,” he admits. “Sometimes problems all come at once. But I’ve learnt to trust the team and stay calm to find solutions.”
Cold chain handling may sound technical, but at its core, it’s about trust and care, knowing that every shipment is meant for someone’s celebration, health, or happiness.
When cargo arrives fresh and safe, it’s thanks to cargo coordinators, warehouse specialists, and executives like Nabeel, the cold chain guardians, who maintain temperature integrity from origin to destination, all the way to your plate or your local supermarkets.
