Customs accelerates lobster landings

The expansion of the Air-Land Fresh Lane to Macao enables Cathay Cargo to import perishable goods via Hong Kong. This process, expedited by a „Transshipment Certificate“ from the Hong Kong Customs Authority, has been tailored to the specific import requirements of Macao. The first delivery via this new route included live blue lobsters transported from Hong Kong to Macao.

Efficient logistics for perishable goods

The Air-Land Fresh Lane allows for the seamless import of perishable goods into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) under a single air waybill. Previously, the intermodal route was only accessible through a refrigerated customs point in Zhuhai after the goods crossed the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. With the direct extension to Macao, the accelerated cold chain model is maintained, enabling recipients to receive the goods within just four hours of arrival in Hong Kong.

At the end of May, Cathay Cargo conducted the first delivery via the Air-Land Fresh Lane to Macao. This involved a shipment of over 220 kg of live blue lobsters from Anglesey, Wales. The goods were transported by truck under a single air waybill from Hong Kong International Airport to the Macao Special Administrative Region.

As only a few road transport companies in Hong Kong can cross the bridge and drive directly to Macao, the goods had to be transferred at a handover point at the border between vehicles. The truck to Macao also received a „flight number“ for the process of the single air waybill.

Market opportunities in Macao

Macao has a population of 680,000, which is relatively small compared to the over 80 million people in the GBA. Nevertheless, the region offers opportunities for shippers due to its high-quality tourism, retail, and casinos. Frank Yau, Head of Cargo Sales Hong Kong and the GBA, expressed optimism: „Macao has more than 40 five-star hotels, many with upscale international restaurants. I believe this will create a natural consumer market for this new service.“

The existing Air-Land Fresh Lane via Zhuhai has already seen an increase in deliveries of chilled and live seafood as well as fruit. Yau explained: „We have just completed the season for Australian cherries and grapes, but these fruit shipments will soon begin from America. The shipments are becoming more regular, and we are pleased that we can now expand this service to Macao, which shows that we are working together with our partners to develop this solution.“

Partners also include the Hong Kong Airport Authority, which will subsidize the new Air-Land Fresh Lane to stimulate demand for this service. Yau emphasized: „We are very grateful to work with such a proactive airport authority and the Hong Kong Customs, who support trade by promoting the development of imports into the GBA. Such developments will help Hong Kong maintain its status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub and as a leading gateway to the Greater Bay Area.“

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