Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has signed an agreement with Dongguan Port Group to establish a joint venture for the development of HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, where the world's first sea-air intermodal transhipment arrangement directly connecting a logistics park to an airport's airside is operated.

In a statement, AAHK said the novel sea-air intermodal transhipment arrangement enables cargo security screening, palletisation and airline acceptance for export cargo of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to be completed upstream in Dongguan in compliance with Hong Kong's air cargo regulations before shipping the cargo by secured vessels to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for direct uplift to overseas destinations as transhipment.

It added that vice versa, international shipments can be imported to the GBA via HKIA and the logistics park.

"Compared to the existing model, the new transhipment arrangement is expected to save 50% of the cost and one-third of the processing time," AAHK said.

Since the launch of the pilot scheme in April 2023, the novel intermodal transhipment model has been operating smoothly.

AAHK said the annual handling capacity of the model will reach over 1 million tonnes of cargo upon completion of the first phase of development, which spans an area of 20 hectares.

 [Source: AAHK]

To further improve cargo handling efficiency and security, a wide array of digitalised and highly automated facilities are introduced at the logistics park, which includes Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) and customised containers.

AAHK has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the planning, management and operation of the logistics park, in accordance with the agreement signed with Dongguan Port Group.

The agreement was signed on October 25 at the Hong Kong International Airport by Cissy Chan, executive director of commercial of AAHK, and Wan Hui, chairman of Dongguan Port Group.

 [Source: AAHK]

"We are pleased to sign the agreement with our Dongguan partners for the development of HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, which not only expands the hinterland for HKIA's cargo business but also brings new growth opportunities for trade, logistics, and other relevant industries of Hong Kong and the entire GBA. We believe this project can further strengthen HKIA's role as a double gateway connecting the GBA with the world," Chan said.