Hong Kong-based Cathay Cargo has launched a fully integrated intermodal perishables network spanning air, land and sea across the Greater Bay Area, combining a new refrigerated barge service, an expanded Air-Land Fresh Lane and an existing air-to-air service to Guangzhou into a single interconnected cold-chain offering.

According to Aviation Business News, the refrigerated barge service marks the first commercial air-sea transport solution for refrigerated perishables into the wider Greater Bay Area from Hong Kong, with shipments remaining pallet-intact throughout the journey to minimise handling. Flexible departure times position the service as a lower-cost alternative for cargo that is less time-sensitive.

James Evans, general manager cargo commercial at Cathay, said: "The GBA is a key growth market for premium perishables, and we have listened closely to our customers by enhancing connectivity and strengthening service assurance across every touchpoint. With three intermodal routes now fully operational, each offering distinct advantages in speed, cost and flexibility, we remain committed to further expanding our network as demand continues to grow, while reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a world-leading air cargo hub."

The Air-Land Fresh Lane has been extended across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Macao, allowing perishables to arrive within as few as four hours from Hong Kong International Airport, including customs and quarantine processing. Pre-cleared shipments, 24/7 transfer operations and refrigerated trucking maintain uninterrupted cold-chain integrity throughout the land leg.

The three services are tailored to distinct customer requirements. Air-to-air transport provides up to three daily passenger flight connections to Guangzhou for time-critical shipments, air-land delivers cross-border refrigerated trucking to Zhuhai and Macao, while the new air-sea service offers a more cost-effective option for less urgent consignments. All three operate under a single air waybill within the Cathay Cargo ecosystem and are supported by the airline's IATA CEIV Fresh-certified handling expertise.

Eligible Air-Land Fresh Lane shipments into the Greater Bay Area may also qualify for promotional trucking rates under the Airport Authority Hong Kong's Cross-boundary Trucking Subsidy Scheme until 31 December 2026, providing an additional cost incentive for shippers using the expanded network during its initial operational phase.