Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal  (PACTL) is to build a cold-chain facility at its terminal one and it will be operational by the middle of 2015, according to PACTL’s  vice president, Lutz Grzegorz. 

Speaking exclusively to Air Cargo Week on 19 June at the sixth Air Cargo China exhibition and conference, held in Shanghai (China), Grzegorz outlined his company’s plans for increasing its temperature sensitive capabilities and capacities. 

“In the last four years we had to add extra freezers and coolers to meet the increasing demand, especially from pharmaceuticals,” Grzegorz explains. “The area that we have is about 3,200 square metres. We predict that this will be good for the next seven to 10 years, considering the present growth. We don’t want to set up something that is full tomorrow because then it doesn’t help us a year later.” 

That area is up to 80 metres from its terminal one building and warehouse. The facility will have an ambient temperature area as well as controlled areas, for different products needs. Grzegorz adds: “Depending on the overall growth in the next years, in the next three to four years we need to make a decision to increase it in a modular way or something in a different area.” PACTL’s approach to cold chain storage had been a number of freezers and coolers at its terminals. This has worked so far for the foodstuffs delivered that stay at the airport for a short period of one or two hours. 

However, growth in temperature sensitive freight and pharmaceuticals, in particular, has convinced PACTL’s senior management that the ad hoc approach it had needed to change. What Grzegorz means by “different area,” is the possibility of building another facility at another PACTL terminal. 

Grzegorz says: “As far as I have seen on mainland China this is the first perishable centre in mainland China. It shows our commitment to our airlines.”