December 11, 2024

EUV to Eastern Malaysian City

EUV was transported to ANA's offline airport in east Malaysia

EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography equipments) is said to be "historically the most precise machine ever made" among all the semiconductor manufacturing equipments, vulnerable to temperature changes & shocks, requiring extreme care for its transports. This time, the EUV was transported to east Malaysia, where recently the semiconductor-related investments has been thriving. Though ANA had a past proven track record of transporting EUV, this was the first case to transport to an offline airport, making it very challenging to overcome the high hurdle, but based on close communication with the customer and cooperation between each concerned department within the company, the task was safely achieved.

3 points of transport

Point ① Network adjustments for transport to offline airport
Due to this charter flight being operated to an offline airport not yet served by ANA, establishment of the local handling system (selection of consigned handler) or such as survey of local airport's characteristics (runway utilization time, whether there are any rights & interests' issues, etc.) were confirmed. Normally, such adjustments take approximately 3 months, but as for this time, we could perform in shorter 2 months of period upon internal negotiation with the concerned department in charge, since some of the coordination was conducted among the forwarder/shipper/consignee.

Point ② Adjustment of loading position & providing careful handling
As for this time's transport, there were in total 40 pieces of cargo with various weights & sizes. Especially, the loading position of the heavy weighted cargo (approximately 8,000kg) is limited because of the aircraft's characteristic reasons. Under such situation, based on the close cooperation with the frontline "Professional Unit", we worked as if tackling a puzzle to ensure that all the cargo could fit on the same flight (since this was a one-time charter).
In addition, extremely sensitive shock-watches were attached to some of the cargo and special care was required to protect against any impacts. With the attendance of the forwarder & shipper on the site, the handling was carefully & speedily completed, minimizing the vibration during the transfer between the warehouse & aircraft, or loading & unloading of the shipment.
*Professional Unit:A group of ANA cargo with outstanding skills able to handle such special cargo transports Cargo+ Deliver

Point ➂ Temperature control
Due to the exposure time of EUV is fixed, the in-flight or the cargo compartment's temperature control is essential. To maintain the specified temperature required by the customer, the temperature adjustment began 3 hours prior to departure. Furthermore, to minimize the cargo's exposure time to the open air to the possible extent during the transfer between the warehouse & aircraft, the aircraft was parked right in front of the Narita airport's cargo warehouse, to realize the transfer via the shortest route.
*Exposure time: Allowable time of the cargo to be exposed to the open air

ANA Cargo provides PRIO Sensitive, a specialized transport service for precision instruments, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment.We provide solutions to meet the customer's needs, so please feel free to contact us.

Customer and Staff Voice

Mr. Hirotaka Ito
Fare Policy & Regulations
(Business Strategy & Network Planning)

Based on the customer's requests, I was in charge of coordination with the concerned internal and external departments involved in the flight operations & cargo transport. As we were transporting a semiconductor manufacturing equipment, historically the most precise machine, I made sure to properly understand the precautions of the cargo & transport, and proceeded with each item or process acquiring the relevant departments' understanding.

Since it was a charter flight to an offline destination where ANA had never operated including the passenger flight, there were quite a few issues, but thanks to the "team spirit" which is one of the ANA Group's strengths, we were able to propose optimal solutions for each of the issue to the customer.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the customer for their kind understanding & cooperation.

Despite the limited short time for the necessary coordination or preparation, I believe this transport project could be successfully completed by the close cooperation not only among the concerned internal parties, but also with the valued customers.

Mr. Yusuke Ueda
Beijing Airport Office & Cargo Sales Section Manager
(Global Service Planning)

Strict temperature control is required for semiconductor manufacturing equipment's transport, so that the handling time of the entire processes, from delivery/acceptance ~ build-up ~ aircraft loading, including the pre-setting of the freighter's cargo compartment temperature, had to be adjusted down to the minute. The handling processes, which the customer was also concerned about, were charted by each shipment in advance, and through repeated confirmation between the airport frontline and the customer, the temperature control system to prevent deviation was established. With the cooperation of the customer on the day of cargo delivery/acceptance, smooth handling satisfying the customer was provided owing to the airport frontline team's capability & skills. This transport could be accomplished through the collaboration among many concerned departments, such as the Sales coping with the customer's needs, the Airport providing high-quality handling, the Maintenance cooperating for the temperature control, and the Operations preparing for the flight to the offline destination.

Mr. Ryoma Uto
Narita Warehouse Operation Center Cargo Service

To realize this charter operation, combined efforts & cooperation of the 3 parties, Sales/Planning/Frontline, as trinity was indispensable. In order to respond to the customer's requests, "visualization of transport" was promoted together with the sales staff in charge from the initial sales visit. By the shape & size of the cargo being shared with us beforehand, it enabled the preparation of the entire handling processes from delivery/acceptance to loading method, as well as conducting loading verification using a simulation system. As a result, resolving the issues, which the shipper was concerned about, at the stage before the contract conclusion was the key in gaining their trust. Also, we are pleased that the customer was satisfied with the outstanding handling provided by us "Professional Unit".