Swissport International has secured a landmark commercial agreement to manage and jointly operate the new Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). This strategic entry into China, announced on October 21, marks Swissport’s flagship operation in Asia and a cornerstone of its global air cargo strategy.
Key Partnership and Investment
Swissport is partnering with Smargo, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics (Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development company) and China Eastern Airlines Logistics. The terminal, located in the West Cargo Area of Pudong Airport (the world’s second-largest air cargo hub), represents a total investment of 1.56 billion yuan (approximately USD 215 million).
The facility covers 222,000 square meters, with a core operational area of about 150,000 square meters. It is designed to handle between 600,000 and 1.2 million tons of international cargo annually when it becomes operational in late 2025.
Technological Leadership and E-commerce Advantage
The new terminal sets a new benchmark for technology-driven logistics, focusing on efficiency for modern e-commerce and global supply chains:
- Automation: Features a fully automated process, including 94 autonomous vehicles and specialized AGVs, which aims to eliminate manual handling, reduce errors, and cut dwell times.
- AI-Driven Systems: Utilizes an AI-driven warehouse management system boasting 99.5% scheduling accuracy, which is 60% higher than conventional operations.
- E-commerce Speed: Equipped with four high-speed automated sorting systems capable of processing 3,500 parcels per hour—triple the throughput of conventional terminals—enabling up to 40% faster delivery of Chinese exports.
- Temperature Control: Includes 15,000 square meters of temperature-controlled space, with an ultra-deep freeze chamber, designed to support next-generation pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and biomedical shipments. The facility is pursuing the highest pharmaceutical handling credentials (GDP and CEIV Pharma).
Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International, stated that by connecting Shanghai with their global network, Chinese exporters can reach international markets up to two days faster, especially through their specialized e-commerce handling.
Connecting China to Global Markets
This flagship operation complements Swissport’s recent cargo launch at New York’s JFK International Airport, forming a strategic network that links Asia, North America, and Europe. Shanghai Pudong is now positioned as a critical nexus for creating a true bidirectional trade corridor, facilitating both Chinese exports and the import of international goods into the vast Chinese market.
Swissport plans to evaluate additional Chinese cargo market opportunities following the Shanghai operation to create a comprehensive network across the country’s major commercial centers.
อัพเดตข่าวสารและบทความที่น่าสนใจในอุตสาหกรรมโลจิสติกส์ก่อนใคร ผ่าน Line Official Account @Airfreight Logistics เพียงเพิ่มเราเป็นเพื่อน @Airfreight Logistics หรือคลิกที่นี่
