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Cathay Cargo has announced the launch of a new integrated intermodal network for perishable goods, further solidifying Hong Kong’s role as an international freight hub for the Greater Bay Area (GBA). With a new refrigerated barge service that connects Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) directly to the Cathay Cargo Terminal in Dongguan, as well as an expanded Air-Land Fresh Lane leading to Macau via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), shippers benefit from a variety of transport options and an improved cold chain.
Expansion of transport options for perishable goods
James Evans, General Manager Cargo Commercial at Cathay, stated that the GBA is an important growth market for high-quality perishable goods. “We have listened closely to our customers‘ needs and improved connectivity and service quality at every touchpoint. With three fully operational intermodal routes, each offering different advantages in terms of speed, cost, and flexibility, we are committed to further expanding our network as demand grows,” said Evans.
The new barge service represents the first commercial air-sea transport solution for refrigerated perishable goods from Hong Kong to the GBA. Following successful tests at the beginning of 2026, the service is now fully operational. Shipments are loaded in their original packaging, preserving packaging integrity and minimizing the risk of handling errors. The barge travels directly to the Cathay Cargo Terminal in Dongguan, where recipients can pick up their goods from a dedicated cold storage area at the pier. Unlike fixed flight schedules, the barge service offers flexible departure times, which is particularly advantageous for shipments where cost efficiency is more important than speed.
Fast delivery to Macau
The expansion of the Air-Land Fresh Lane to Macau allows perishable goods to be transported from HKIA to Macau in just four hours, including all customs and quarantine procedures. Shipments are pre-approved by the Hong Kong customs authorities and secured with a recognized seal, so they typically do not need to be re-checked at the land border. This reduces a significant source of delays for time-sensitive shipments. The transfer terminal operates around the clock, and refrigerated trucks ensure the continuous cold chain from the aircraft to the doorstep.
All three routes operate under a single air waybill within the Cathay Cargo service spectrum, supported by the IATA CEIV Fresh certification, which guarantees shippers a seamless, end-to-end cold chain. Each route is designed to address specific needs of shippers:
– **Air-Air**: Offers capacity in the belly hold for up to three daily passenger flights between Hong Kong and Guangzhou for time-sensitive cargo.
– **Air-Land**: Cold chain truck service over the HZMB to Zhuhai and Macau with direct delivery to customers.
– **Air-Sea**: A new refrigerated connection to Dongguan, providing a cost-effective and time-flexible alternative for less time-sensitive shipments.
Shippers utilizing the Air-Land Fresh Lane to the GBA can also benefit from discounted truck rates under the Cross-boundary Trucking Subsidy Scheme of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, available until December 31, 2026.
