Cathay Cargo has introduced a third intermodal route for perishable imports into the Greater Bay Area, adding a sea connection from Hong Kong International Airport to the HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan.
The new service complements Cathay’s existing direct air-to-air links to Guangzhou and the Air-Land Fresh Lane, which enables truck transfers to the GBA via Zhuhai under a single air waybill and transhipment certificate.
Premium perishables imported into Hong Kong can now be moved by sea directly from HKIA to Dongguan. The sea link had already been used for other cargo types since 2023 and later developed as an import route for general cargo from late 2024.
The Dongguan logistics park has now enhanced its cold chain capabilities to support refrigerated transfers of fresh goods into the GBA, a consumer market of around 80m people.
In February and March, Cathay Cargo successfully trialed the route with coconut consignments from Thailand and fresh tuna from Spain under its Cathay Fresh solution.
For the tuna shipments, pallets remained intact after landing at HKIA, were placed in temporary cold storage, moved by cool dolly to the airside pier, loaded into reefer containers, and transferred by barge. Cathay said this reduced the risk of temperature excursions for high-value fresh fish.
The company said the new route may offer cost advantages at scale and adds more flexibility in timing and destination options, even though it is slower than truck or direct air services.
Cathay Cargo now offers customers three intermodal routes into the GBA for premium produce, each with its own operational advantages.
