HKIA becomes fully multi-modal hub with Marine Cargo Terminal

(HONG KONG, 28 March 2001) - Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) had truly become a leading international multi-modal transport hub with the opening of its Marine Cargo Terminal (MCT) today, the Airport Authority (AA) said.

The 1.4-hectare site is located next to the passenger ferry terminal at the airport and includes a water frontage of about 450 metres. The MCT will initially provide direct links to 16 ports throughout the Pearl River Delta, the main manufacturing region of Southern China.

The MCT will be operated under a five-year non-exclusive licence by Chu Kong Air-Sea Union Transportation Company Limited (CKSA) -- a strategic alliance of Chu Kong Shipping Development Co Ltd and Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Ltd (Hacis), a subsidiary of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (HACTL). The joint venture combines both companies' expertise in shipping, air cargo handling and Pearl River Delta experience.

The licensee will develop, operate, manage and maintain the MCT to facilitate vessel services between the Pearl River Delta and HKIA. It will also provide truck delivery services between the MCT and the airport's air cargo facilities including Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd, Asia Airfreight Terminal, and the Airport Freight Forwarding Centre.

The key objective of the MCT is to fully utilise the airport's strategic location, its proximity to the Pearl River Delta and the airport's island setting to make access by sea convenient and cost effective. HKIA is the world's busiest international air cargo hub, with annual throughput of 2.24 million tonnes. HACTL operates SuperTerminal 1, the world's largest stand-alone cargo handling facility, which processes 80 per cent of freight at HKIA.

At the opening ceremony, AA Chief Executive Officer Dr David J Pang said the event marked a milestone for the cargo and logistics capabilities at this airport.

"With the opening of the Marine Cargo Terminal, Hong Kong International Airport can rightly claim to be one of the world's leading multi-modal transport hubs," he said. "From today, we will be truly exploiting our unrivalled natural location alongside one of the world's busiest commercial waterways. Cargo shippers will now enjoy a wide range of transport options involving air, land and sea, offering unparalleled flexibility, convenience and economy.

"HKIA is the world's busiest international airport for air cargo. And now, by offering direct sea links to the manufacturing heartland of the Pearl River Delta, we are the premier conduit of cargo and trade into Southern China.

"The terminal also plays a pivotal role in our strategy of becoming a logistics management service centre. Today more and more companies are leveraging their competitive advantage through more effective supply chain management. One of the most important decisions these firms will make will be where to locate their logistics operations. The ideal site should offer a broad range of flexible, efficient and reliable transport options, and an abundant source of air cargo in close proximity as well as first-rate facilities and services.

"Hong Kong International Airport is such a place, thanks in large measure to the Marine Cargo Terminal. When the Logistics Centre at HKIA becomes operational in 2003, it will have a fully operational Marine Cargo Terminal standing by to support its logistics developments. The Marine Cargo Terminal is a pre-requisite for our inter-modal transportation links as well as a key critical facility for Hong Kong's logistics industry. The potential it opens up is enormous. I congratulate CKSA for its visionary investment."

Ref. PR-558