As the logistics industry evolves rapidly in 2026, Cathay Cargo is responding to growing demand for secure and efficient transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, ranging from premium seafood and seasonal fruits to life-saving vaccines and biologics.
Cathay Fresh Delivers Seamless Intermodal Connectivity
Through the Airport Authority Hong Kong’s Air-Land Fresh Lane initiative, Cathay Cargo has established a seamless intermodal cold chain network connecting overseas suppliers to the Greater Bay Area. The solution is specifically designed to transport premium perishables, including live seafood and seasonal fruits, under a single air waybill from international origins through Hong Kong International Airport directly into the Greater Bay Area.
The strategic advantage of the Air-Land Fresh Lane lies in its simplified import process. By using a dedicated transshipment certificate, shipments bypass complex re-registration procedures on the Chinese Mainland and move directly to refrigerated Customs facilities in Zhuhai.
To maintain product integrity throughout the journey, shipments are protected by Cool Dollies on the airport tarmac before being transferred to GPS-tracked, temperature-controlled trucks. This fully integrated system significantly shortens delivery times, preserving nutrient quality and strengthening food security for consumers across the region.
Cathay Pharma Sets the Benchmark for Life Sciences Logistics
For pharmaceutical cargo, where even minor temperature deviations can compromise product effectiveness, Cathay Pharma provides a highly specialized logistics solution that has established a new standard for life sciences transportation.
Cathay Pharma operates the largest dedicated Pharma Handling Centre at Hong Kong International Airport. The facility supports four distinct temperature ranges, including Frozen, Cold, Controlled Room Temperature and Extended Room Temperature, ensuring that a broad spectrum of pharmaceutical products is handled under optimal conditions.
The service is further enhanced by Asia’s widest selection of cool containers, made available through six strategic partners, allowing flexible and secure transportation of sensitive medical products.
A critical component of this system is Ultra Track, a near-real-time data logging platform that gives shippers comprehensive visibility into cargo conditions and enables proactive intervention whenever required.
Supported by more than 70 qualified pharmaceutical handling stations worldwide, Cathay Pharma ensures that vaccines, biologics and other critical medicines retain their efficacy from origin to destination.
A Comprehensive Total Cold Chain Solution
Cathay Cargo’s Total Cold Chain Solution integrates specialized services for distinct temperature-sensitive sectors. For perishables, the company applies protocols aligned with IATA CEIV Fresh standards, while pharmaceutical shipments are managed through facilities and procedures that comply with IATA CEIV Pharma requirements.
This unified approach guarantees that every temperature-sensitive shipment, whether premium seafood destined for consumers or essential medicines bound for healthcare providers, meets the highest international standards for safety, quality and integrity.
About Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo is the air freight division of the Cathay Group and is recognized as one of the world’s leading air cargo operators. Operating from its hub in Hong Kong, the company provides scheduled freighter services to more than 40 destinations globally and utilizes belly capacity on Cathay Group passenger flights to over 90 destinations.
Its dedicated freighter fleet includes 14 Boeing 747-8F aircraft and six Boeing 747-400ERF Extended Range Freighters. The cargo division also encompasses Air Hong Kong, an express cargo carrier operated in partnership with DHL, and oversees the Cathay Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, Cathay Cargo serves as the cargo general sales agent for HK Express, the Cathay Group’s low-cost carrier.
Cathay is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
By combining Hong Kong’s strategic geographic location with cutting-edge infrastructure and globally recognized handling standards, Cathay Cargo is redefining cold chain logistics. Its integrated Fresh and Pharma solutions underscore the company’s commitment to delivering perishable foods and critical medicines with unmatched reliability, ensuring that essential products reach consumers and healthcare systems worldwide in optimal condition.
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