Cathay Cargo launches intermodal services to boost perishables transport from Hong Kong to Dongguan and Macao, enhancing cold-chain logistics.
Cathay Cargo has launched new intermodal services linking Hong Kong International Airport with Dongguan and Macao, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as the Greater Bay Area's international cargo gateway, reports Cathay Pacific.
A refrigerated barge now connects HKIA directly to Cathay Cargo Terminal Dongguan, while the Air-Land Fresh Lane has been extended via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Macao. Together with the existing air-to-air service to Guangzhou, shippers gain more routing choices, stronger cold-chain assurance, and improved access to Asia's consumer markets.
Cathay General Manager Cargo Commercial James Evans said the GBA is a key growth market for premium perishables. He noted that three intermodal routes are now fully operational, each offering distinct advantages in speed, cost, and flexibility, while reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a leading air cargo hub.
The barge service marks the first commercial air-sea transport of refrigerated perishables into the GBA. Shipments are loaded pallet-intact, preserving packaging integrity and minimizing handling risk. The service offers flexible departure timings, suited to cost-sensitive consignments.
The Air-Land Fresh Lane extension allows perishables to reach Macao in as few as four hours from HKIA, including customs and quarantine processing. Pre-cleared shipments avoid re-examination at the boundary, while refrigerated trucks and 24/7 operations ensure uninterrupted cold-chain integrity.
All three routes operate under a single air waybill within the Cathay Cargo ecosystem, backed by IATA CEIV Fresh certification. The air-air option provides bellyhold capacity on up to three daily flights to Guangzhou, air-land trucks serve Zhuhai and Macao, and the new air-sea link to Dongguan offers a cost-efficient alternative for less time-sensitive cargo.
