Hong Kong top officials recently visited the pilot scheme facility for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Logistics Park in Dongguan for the latest development of the intermodal cargo transhipment initiative developed by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and a group of Legislative Council (LegCo) members led by Andrew Leung, president of the LegCo visited the facility on April 23.
The officials, together with Lyu Chengxi, the Mayor of Dongguan, were given a tour of the Bestar Logistics Centre in Dongguan, where the pilot scheme of HKIA Logistics Park operated.
During the visit, Fred Lam, chief executive officer of AAHK introduced the novel sea-air intermodal cargo transhipment initiative, as well as the latest plan for permanent development, which includes the HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan and the airside intermodal cargo pier at HKIA.
In a statement, HKIA noted that under this initiative, cargo security screening, palletisation and airline acceptance for the export cargo of Greater Bay Area (GBA) can be completed upstream in Dongguan, with all procedures complying with Hong Kong's air cargo regulations.
The cargo will then be shipped by vessel to the airside of HKIA for direct uplift to overseas destinations as transhipment.
Vice versa, international shipments can also be imported to Mainland China via HKIA and the logistics park.
"As the world's busiest cargo airport and international cargo gateway for the GBA, HKIA is committed to enhancing its capability and efficiency of air cargo services. With the new intermodal cargo transhipment initiative, HKIA is able to extend its cargo services into the GBA. We can better serve the market with greater time efficiency and cost-effectiveness as goods can be directly transshipped globally via the airside of HKIA," Lam said.
"We will continue to work closely with government authorities and business partners to strengthen HKIA's position as a leading regional and international air cargo hub," he added.
HKIA noted that the pilot scheme has been operating smoothly, and AAHK is targeting to complete the development of the permanent facilities by 2025.
