Swissport is to manage and jointly operate a smart cargo terminal at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The terminal will open later this year and will be operated in partnership with Smargo, a joint venture between Avinex Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics.

The facility in the west cargo area of Pudong Airport sets a benchmark for technology-driven logistics. Covering 222,000 square metres with a core operational area of approximately 150,000 square metres, the facility represents a total investment of about $215m and is designed to handle between 600,000 and 1.2 million tons of international cargo annually.

Designed for modern ecommerce and global supply chains, the terminal has an AI-driven warehouse management system with 99.5% scheduling accuracy, 60% higher than conventional operations. Its fully automated processes, including 94 autonomous vehicles and specialised AGVs, eliminate manual handling, reduce errors and cut dwell times, giving real-time visibility and predictable, efficient cargo flow.

The facility also sets standards in specialised cargo handling. Its 15,000 square metres of temperature-controlled space include a 200 square metre ultra-deep freeze chamber. With capacity to simultaneously store 1500 tons of temperature-sensitive cargo, the facility supports pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biomedical shipments with precise temperature stability, addressing a critical gap in Shanghai’s air cargo capabilities while pursuing the industry’s highest pharmaceutical handling credentials through GDP and CEIV Pharma certifications.

Swissport already operates ecommerce cargo hubs in New York JFK, Liège, Brussels, Basel and Milan. This interconnected network enables Chinese exporters to benefit from seamless end-to-end handling when shipping to major global markets.

For cross-border ecommerce, the Shanghai facility’s four high-speed automated sorting systems will process 3500 parcels per hour – triple the throughput of conventional cargo terminals – enabling up to 40% faster delivery of Chinese exports to global markets.

Market trends show cross-border ecommerce from China is expected to reach $230bn by 2026, growing at over 25% annually and creating demand for precisely the specialised handling capabilities Swissport has developed. The Shanghai operation will directly connect into Swissport’s global network, creating a seamless pipeline for Chinese goods reaching international markets.

“This milestone agreement marks Swissport’s strategic entry into China with one of the world’s most technologically advanced cargo facilities,” said Warwick Brady, CEO of Swissport (www.swissport.com). “By connecting Shanghai with our global network, we’ll enable Chinese exporters to reach international markets up to two days faster through our specialised ecommerce handling. Working with our partners Avinex Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics, we’re creating efficient trade pathways that will transform how Chinese businesses connect globally. Shanghai represents just the beginning of our long-term commitment to China’s aviation future.”

Shanghai Pudong Airport (www.shairport.com) currently handles around four million tons annually with projected growth of eight to ten per cent a year. This partnership will create seamless connections between China and key international markets, opening opportunities for Chinese businesses to reach global customers faster and more reliably. Simultaneously, the facility will serve as a gateway bringing international goods into the vast Chinese market, creating a bidirectional trade corridor that connects China with key world hubs and the world with China.

Smargo is a joint venture between Avinex Logistics (www.avinex.com, Shanghai Airport Authority’s logistics development company) and China Eastern Airlines Logistics (eal.e-ciie.com), to manage and jointly operate the innovative digital and intelligent cargo terminal. The signing ceremony (pictured) for this agreement took place last month.