Swissport International has secured a commercial agreement to manage and jointly operate the new Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in partnership with Smargo, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics.
It said that this strategic entry into China marks Swissport's flagship operation in Asia and a cornerstone of the company's global air cargo strategy.
Swissport operates at nearly 300 airports across 45 countries and handles 5 million tons of cargo annually across 117 cargo stations worldwide.
"This milestone agreement marks Swissport's strategic entry into China with one of the world's most technologically advanced cargo facilities," said Warwick Brady, president & CEO of Swissport International.
"By connecting Shanghai with our global network, we'll enable Chinese exporters to reach international markets up to two days faster through our specialized e-commerce handling. Working with our partners AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics, we're creating efficient trade pathways that will transform how Chinese businesses connect globally."
"Shanghai represents just the beginning of our long-term commitment to China's aviation future."
Brad Moore, CEO APAC at Swissport International, said the new facility at Shanghai Pudong is a cornerstone of Swissport's cargo strategy in Asia and reflects its long-term commitment to this dynamic market.
"By bringing our global expertise in specialized cargo handling to one of Asia's most important air freight hubs, we are creating new efficiencies that strengthen the regional supply chain."
"This flagship operation not only enhances our presence in China but also serves as a vital connection point for trade across the entire Asia-Pacific region. The partnership fully supports our strategy to build premium cargo operations at key Asia gateways, where we can deliver the greatest value to our airline partners and their customers," the announcement added.
Connecting China to global markets
The new terminal comes at a strategic time as Shanghai Pudong Airport continues to strengthen its position as a global air cargo hub, currently handling approximately 4 million tons annually with projected growth of 8-10% per year.
The partnership will create seamless connections between China and key international markets, opening new opportunities for Chinese businesses to reach global customers faster and more reliably.
Simultaneously, the facility will serve as a vital gateway bringing international goods into the vast Chinese market, creating a true bidirectional trade corridor that connects China with key world hubs and the world with China.
Swissport said this agreement complements Swissport's recent cargo operations launch at New York's JFK International Airport. Together, these initiatives form a strategic network linking key cargo centers across Asia, North America, and Europe, positioning Shanghai Pudong as a critical nexus in global supply chains flowing both to and from Chinese markets.
The new facility, located in the West Cargo Area of Pudong Airport, sets a new benchmark for technology-driven logistics. Covering 222,000 square meters with a core operational area of approximately 150,000 square meters the facility represents a total investment of 1.56 billion yuan (approximately US$215 million) and is designed to handle between 600,000 and 1.2 million tons of international cargo annually when it becomes operational in late 2025.
The terminal uses an AI-based warehouse management system that achieves 99.5% scheduling accuracy—about 60% higher than typical operations—aimed at meeting the needs of e-commerce and global logistics.
It also operates 94 autonomous vehicles and specialized AGVs to reduce manual handling, minimize errors, and shorten dwell times, while providing real-time tracking and more consistent cargo movement.
Swissport said the facility includes 15,000 square meters of temperature-controlled space, including a 200 sqm ultra-deep freeze chamber. It can store up to 1,500 tons of temperature-sensitive cargo at once, supporting pharmaceutical, vaccine, and biomedical shipments with tight temperature controls. The site aims to address a gap in Shanghai's air cargo infrastructure for specialized handling and is working toward GDP and CEIV Pharma certification.
Swissport's Shanghai facility is part of its broader e-commerce handling network, which includes hubs in New York, Liège, Brussels, Basel, and Milan. The site features four automated sorting systems capable of processing 3,500 parcels per hour, three times the rate of standard cargo terminals, supporting faster international delivery for Chinese exports.
With cross-border e-commerce from China projected to reach US$230 billion by 2026, the facility links directly into Swissport's global network to help meet growing demand for reliable, time-sensitive logistics.
