Technical Visit to Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal (HACTL)

Technical Visit to Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal (HACTL)

HACTL is the world's largest independent air cargo terminal, famous with their container handling using their Container Storage System and Box Storage System

Container Storage System

HACTL's fully automated multi-floor Container Storage System provides more than 3,500 storage positions.  The system has a direct, covered interface with the airside area, allowing unit load devices (ULDs) to be transferred from the tarmac straight into the system.  The facility retrieves up to 8,000 tonnes of air cargo per day.

Box Storage System

HACTL's Box Storage System incorporates 10,000 computer-controlled storage positions for general import-, export- and transshipment cargo.  Customs-bonded with maximum security, the area is directly linked with the Customs Examination Hall, allowing efficient retrieval of bulk cargo for Customs inspection.  It sotres up to 7,500 tonnes of loose cargo.

The Visit Report

On 22 Mar 2025, we had a technical visit to Hactl. There were totally 27 participants jointed this event with 11 participants from PolyU MILES Alumni Association and 16 participants from TheIET Hong Kong, MIES Section. The event started with a PowerPoint presentation about Hactl. It is the world’s number one air cargo hub. Besides air cargo transportation, it supports animals (such as horse) transportation.

The engineering and facilities services include building services, mobile equipment, cargo handling system, electrical and mechanical engineering and electronics. After the introduction, we had souvenir presentation and a tour around Hactl.

The first location is Cool Chain Complex, it is used to temporarily store goods that need to be kept in low temperature. It can maintain the temperature between 2°C to 8°C.

We took group photos using the container storage system as the background. Once the cargo is packed in the container storage system, it is ready to air flight out.

The box storage system is used temporary store air cargo that is not ready to be air flight. We ended the event at 12:30 with another group photo inside the meeting room.