A sea-air-land multimodal logistics model is gaining traction in China, effectively combining speed, cost control and last-mile flexibility to move high-value goods and open new international freight channels.
Air cargo is typically used for time-sensitive, high-value products such as fresh seafood and electronics; however, high prices and limited flexibility can constrain single-mode transport. An integrated solution that synchronizes air, sea and road transport is now addressing a broader range of market needs.
The operations at Ningbo Lishe International Airport in east China's Zhejiang Province exemplify this efficient model.
At around 19:00, a chartered freighter carrying 13 tonnes of live swimming crabs, a specialty from Zhejiang, landed at the cargo terminal.
Some of the crabs were picked up directly at the airport and sent to local markets, while others were transported via "truck flights" to cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou.
The road part of the air-land transfer is handled by vehicles known as "truck flights," or "virtual flights," which are valued for their flexibility and speed.
"These are usually high-value-added goods such as electronic components, fresh products and spare parts. Compared with traditional cargo, they require higher timeliness and stronger safety guarantees," said Lu Jiawei, a truck-flight driver.
Cargo flights in China have continued to expand this year, averaging 1,767 flights per week, up 15.7 percent from a year earlier, according to civil aviation data released recently.
By the end of November, China had 13 dedicated cargo airlines operating 288 freighters, 20 more than at the end of last year, signaling enhanced air transport capacity.
Multimodal transport in China opens new int'l logistics channels
