Kathmandu— Macao International Airport (MIA) initiated a pilot cargo palletization program on Wednesday, extending operations to Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. The move is part of an upstream cargo terminal project slated for completion at the end of 2026 and aims to facilitate increased trade between mainland China and Macao by expanding security screening and palletization services beyond the airport itself. The initial pilot involved e-commerce goods and daily necessities bound for Malaysia and the Philippines, signaling a new phase in logistics cooperation between the two regions.

Hengqin Terminal Project Details

Construction of the Hengqin cargo terminal began in October 2025 and will cover approximately 97,600 square meters. The facility is intended to serve as an extension of MIA, handling security screening and palletization to streamline cargo transport between mainland China and Macao. Officials anticipate the terminal becoming fully operational in the first half of 2027.

Pilot Program Launch

The pilot program took place at a logistics center near the Hengqin terminal construction site on Wednesday. Cargo, including e-commerce items like toys and watches, was transported via Hengqin Port to MIA for shipment to Malaysia and the Philippines. The launch ceremony was attended by key officials from both Macao and Guangdong province, including Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and Guangdong Vice Governor Zhang Guozhi.

Strategic Importance of Expansion

Ng Wai Han, secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR government, stated that the pilot program represents a significant milestone in the project. He emphasized that both Macao and Hengqin will leverage this opportunity to enhance their trade and logistics infrastructure. The development is aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) which prioritizes better integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the country's overall development, and is also included in Macao’s own five-year plan for economic and social development.

Increased Cargo Capacity

The new Hengqin cargo terminal is projected to handle 300,000 tonnes of cargo annually. This represents a threefold increase over MIA's current annual air cargo processing capacity of around 100,000 tonnes, demonstrating the potential for significant growth in regional trade.

The pilot program marks an important step towards the completion and operation of the Hengqin cargo terminal, which is expected to significantly boost Macao’s cargo handling capabilities and strengthen its role as a key logistics hub.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.