Dongguan promotes air-land intermodal among overseas carriers

GUANGDONG's Dongguan city recently invited representatives from 24 overseas airlines to hear arguments for using its air-land intermodal services in the hope of attracting more international transshipments, Logistics Week reported.

The event was organised by Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd and Dongguan's Humen Great Trade Container Port Co Ltd. Carriers attending included British Airways, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, UPS, Cathay Pacific, Martinair, Air Canada, Swiss International Air Lines, Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Lai Xuandong, deputy general manager of the Humen Great Trade Container Port Co Ltd, said imports can be transported from Hong Kong directly to Dongguan Cargo Terminal via air-land intermodal service to clear customs there. By doing so they can reduce costs up to 20 per cent and reduce clearance times.

Dongguan is the manufacturing base of the Pearl River Delta and one of the biggest air cargo sources in south China, generating an air transshipment volume of over 800,000 tonnes a year. But it does not have an airport or a seaport and must rely on Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

To win cargo, the city has set up the Dongguan Cargo Terminal, but the move was anticipated by Guangzhou, whose Baiyun Airport recently set up a cargo terminal in Dongguan itself, putting the local logistics providers under great competitive pressure.