Air Cargo Remains Strong, Maritime Policy Steps Up: Hong Kong Is Strengthening Both International Freight Arteries — Enterprises Need a Partner Who Can Handle Air and Sea

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Air Cargo Remains Strong, Maritime Policy Steps Up: Hong Kong Is Strengthening Both International Freight Arteries — Enterprises Need a Partner Who Can Handle Air and Sea

Since mid-2026, Hong Kong has seen favourable developments on both of its main freight arteries — air and sea.

On one side, Hong Kong International Airport continues to hold its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport, with first-half cargo volumes remaining on a growth path and transshipment demand particularly strong. On the other, the Government is using tax concessions, green port dues incentives and ship registration reforms to push Hong Kong towards becoming a higher-value, greener international maritime centre.

For companies moving goods through Hong Kong to connect Asia with Europe and North America, this points to one conclusion: air and sea freight are no longer an either-or choice, but a professional arrangement that must be combined flexibly according to cargo type, timing and cost.

Air Freight: Transshipment Is Driving Growth, Time-Sensitive Cargo Still Needs a Reliable Channel

Hong Kong International Airport was again the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, and growth continued in the first half of 2026. Public figures show that cargo throughput in June 2026 rose by about 6.8% year on year, with transshipment volumes increasing even more sharply.

This reflects several points:

  • Hong Kong remains a key air cargo node connecting the Mainland, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America
  • For time-sensitive goods such as electronics, samples, replenishment orders and high-value cargo, air freight is still the first choice
  • A higher share of transshipment means more cargo is “moving onwards via Hong Kong”, which requires a forwarder familiar with air freight operations, documentation and space allocation

For a freight forwarder, the priority is not simply “securing space”, but being able to select the right routing and service level based on the client’s timing, cargo characteristics and destination.

Sea Freight: Green Port Dues and Tax Concessions Are Attracting More Vessels and Trade Activity

On the maritime side, the Government launched two three-year green maritime fuel incentive schemes in June 2026:

  • Port Dues Incentive Scheme for Green Maritime Fuel-related Vessels: Eligible ocean-going vessels bunkering, receiving or using specified green fuels in Hong Kong may receive a 25% or 50% reduction in port dues
  • Green Vessels Registration Incentive Scheme: Hong Kong-registered ships using green fuels may receive an annual subsidy of HK$60,000

At the same time, the Government is advancing tax concessions for shipping-related activities, as well as a half-rate tax concession for physical commodity trading, with the aim of attracting more maritime services and trading activity to Hong Kong.

The practical implication is this: more vessels, more traders and more sea freight moving through Hong Kong will need experienced local forwarders to assist with booking, documentation, customs clearance and follow-up arrangements.

Air or Sea? What Enterprises Really Need Is an Arrangement That Covers Both

For many companies, the question is not “air only” or “sea only”, but:

  • Urgent orders, samples and high-value goods go by air
  • Large-volume, cost-sensitive cargo goes by sea
  • Some orders require a combination of sea and air, or arrival in Hong Kong followed by local distribution
  • The same client, in the same quarter, may need both modes

If a forwarder can only handle one mode, companies often end up with two sets of communication, two sets of documents and two tracking processes. Efficiency drops, and risk increases.

TDS Logistics: Supporting Both Air and Sea Arrangements from a Freight Forwarder’s Perspective

In addition to warehousing and fulfilment services, TDS Logistics also has the infrastructure and capability to act as a logistics freight forwarder and can arrange the following according to client needs:

Air freight

  • Space and documentation arrangements for import, export and transshipment cargo
  • Service recommendations based on timing and cargo characteristics
  • Coordination of pickup, inbound warehousing, sorting and delivery after arrival

Sea freight

  • Ocean booking, bill of lading and related documentation
  • Coordination of port operations, customs clearance and post-arrival warehousing
  • More suitable transport solutions for large-volume or cost-driven shipments

Whether your cargo is general merchandise, e-commerce goods, electronics, daily necessities, or other items requiring professional handling, we can help assess air, sea, or a combination of both based on the actual situation.

Now Is a Good Time to Review Your Transport Modes

With Hong Kong’s air cargo hub status remaining solid and maritime policy stepping up at the same time, companies should not only ask “which mode should this shipment use”, but also:

  • Which mode best matches this shipment’s timing and cost?
  • Over the next three to six months, will both air and sea be needed?
  • Can warehousing, sorting and delivery after arrival be handled together with the transport arrangement?

If you are considering:

  • Establishing a more stable forwarding arrangement for urgent air shipments
  • Finding reliable booking and arrival support for large-volume sea freight
  • Integrating air freight, sea freight and local warehousing into one process
  • Selecting the most suitable transport combination by product category

Please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to provide a complimentary consultation and review the most suitable solution together.

Let a local partner familiar with both air and sea freight help you use Hong Kong’s two international freight arteries more precisely and more reliably.

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