Cathay Cargo Terminal extends Hong Kong intermodal operations
14 / 12 / 2023
Source: Shutterstock
Cathay Cargo Terminal has extended its intermodal cargo handling operation between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and the Dongguan Logistics Park to include northbound services.
The extension means that forwarders using Cathay Cargo Terminal will now be able to fly goods into Hong Kong and then transport them from the airport to Dongguan by ship for onward distribution in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) of China.
The handler said that it was the first terminal operator at the airport to offer the northbound option.
“We now offer customers a stable alternative multimodal solution for import handling to the GBA,” the handler said.
“Urgent shipments can be directly towed from HKIA airside to vessel to Dongguan (and beyond) and cargo can be shipped in airline Unit Load Devices (ULDs), further enhancing efficiency by eliminating the reconsolidation process.”
On December 4 forwarder Dimerco became the first company to have a commercial shipment transported northbound.
“We will be working closely with the Airport Authority Hong Kong and customs to continuously streamline the process of both southbound and northbound operations, further strengthening Hong Kong as the leading air cargo logistics hub in the world,” Cathay Cargo Terminal added.
The pilot intermodal service linking Dongguan Logistics Park to the airport was first launched in April this year and was expected to save time and cost compared with using road transport.
Cargo security screening, palletisation and airline acceptance can all take place in the logistics park meaning the cargo can be put straight on an aircraft from the ship.
The transhipment arrangement is expected to save 50% of the cost and one-third of the processing time for export cargo, HKIA said.
