Swissport has opened cargo operations at the Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, giving the global aviation services group its first foothold in mainland China and a new base in one of the world’s most important air freight gateways.
The move, announced by Swissport, comes as Shanghai continues to position itself as a major international logistics centre and as cross-border e-commerce keeps expanding across Asia. Th...
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e company said the facility was developed with Smargo, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics, and is intended to combine local market knowledge with Swissport’s global cargo handling standards.
Swissport said the terminal is built around automation and digital management tools, including an AI-driven warehouse system and fully automated cargo processes. In a separate description of the site, the company said the operation includes 94 autonomous vehicles and scheduling accuracy of 99.5%. Cargo News Wire said the new terminal is designed to accelerate handling, improve visibility and support faster movement of international shipments.
The Shanghai facility is being launched in Swissport’s 30th anniversary year and is part of what the company describes as a wider push across Asia-Pacific. Brad Moore, chief executive of Swissport Asia Pacific, said the company expects the Shanghai operation to help lift volumes over time as connectivity improves across key trade corridors.
The airport is already one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world. Cargo News Wire said Shanghai Pudong handles about four million tonnes of freight a year, while Swissport’s own materials present the terminal as a next-generation facility with annual international cargo capacity of between 600,000 and 1.2 million tonnes. The broader airport cargo complex is also a key node for international airlines, freight forwarders and e-commerce operators.
Swissport said the terminal spans 222,000 square metres, while Cargo News Wire put the figure at around 144,000 square metres. The site includes cold-chain infrastructure covering roughly 15,000 square metres and capable of handling cargo from -60°C to 25°C, supporting pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products and other temperature-sensitive goods.
The company also said the Shanghai launch reflects a wider ambition to build smarter cargo operations globally, with the terminal’s electrified design and automated workflows presented as part of a more efficient and lower-emission handling model. Swissport said the site should also strengthen links between Chinese exporters and its international cargo network, which it says spans more than 300 airports worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services
