AECOM has been appointed by the Hong Kong-Dongguan Sea-Air Intermodal Transshipment Logistics Park Management (Dongguan) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), to deliver the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park.

This strategic initiative will establish a direct link between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Dongguan, a key manufacturing hub in the Chinese mainland. By combining Hong Kong’s robust air cargo ecosystem and Dongguan’s export-driven manufacturing strength, the project aims to unlock new efficiencies and drive significant economic growth across the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

As the lead consultant for Phase 1 of the project, AECOM is overseeing the design, contract and construction management of the key infrastructure, building on the team’s previous end-to-end services, spanning masterplanning, design and technical studies. This initial phase includes an air cargo terminal complex, a barge terminal, freight forwarder warehouses and highly-automated facilities. A wide array of advanced digital technologies are introduced, including an intelligent guided vehicle (IGV) system and customised containers.

The new logistics park is set to become the world’s first sea-air intermodal trans-shipment hub. Export cargo will be screened, palletised and airline-approved in Dongguan to comply with Hong Kong’s air cargo security requirements. Dedicated vessels will then transport the cargo directly to the airside of HKIA for onward trans-shipment to global destinations. Once operational, the facility is expected to handle up to 1 mil t of cargo annually, further strengthening HKIA’s status as a leading global logistics hub.

“We are leveraging our multidisciplinary expertise and cross-regional capabilities to deliver this first-of-its-kind logistics park,” said Ian Chung, regional chief executive, Asia at AECOM. “Featuring an innovative operational model and a state-of-the-art autonomous cargo handling system, the project sets a new benchmark for logistics infrastructure and efficiency – significantly enhancing the economic and physical connectivity between the GBA and global markets.”