Key Highlights – China Eastern Air Logistics Automates Shanghai Cargo Terminal
- Automation Upgrade: China Eastern Air Logistics (CEAL) deploys six high-capacity automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at Cargo Terminal 4, Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
- High-Capacity AGVs: Each 10ft vehicle can move up to 6.8 tonnes, reducing reliance on manual transport.
- Integrated Cargo Management: AGVs fully integrated with Lödige’s Cargo Professional Suite, enabling real-time, data-driven ULD control.
- Operational Efficiency: Automation enhances 24/7 performance, safety, and workflow flexibility.
- Next-Generation Terminal: The system positions Terminal 4 as a smart, scalable, and digitally connected cargo hub.
China Eastern Air Logistics Co., Ltd. (CEAL) has taken a major step toward fully automated air cargo handling by partnering with Lödige Industries to implement six high-capacity automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at Cargo Terminal 4 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
The six AGVs, each 10 feet in length and capable of transporting loads up to 6.8 tonnes, have been successfully commissioned and handed over for operational use. Fully integrated with Lödige’s proprietary Cargo Management System (CMS)—the Cargo Professional Suite—the fleet enables real-time monitoring, data-driven routing, and precise ULD management, providing terminal operators with enhanced control and efficiency.
According to Weddy Pan, Senior Deputy Manager, Operations Quality Management Division at CEAL, the AGV system “has completely transformed our operational model, making logistics processes more efficient, adaptable, and future-ready. Its seamless integration with existing workflows delivers a quantum leap in capabilities.”
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Nicholas Tripptree, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific at Lödige Industries, highlighted the significance of the deployment: “This AGV system sets new standards for efficiency, flexibility, and safety in air cargo terminal operations. We are proud to support CEAL’s vision of a next-generation, automated cargo facility.”
The AGVs are designed to minimise manual handling, optimise routing, reduce reliance on fixed infrastructure, and allow staff to focus on higher-value tasks. Their data-driven intelligence supports 24/7 terminal operations, reduces the risk of ULD damage, and enhances overall throughput. Manufactured in Germany, the vehicles underwent rigorous testing to ensure reliability, stability, and performance.
The deployment aligns with other digital and automation innovations at CEAL, including the lift-and-run system supplied by Lödige, as well as previous collaborations involving Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV) and Transfer Vehicle (TV) system refurbishments. Together, these advancements reinforce Shanghai Pudong’s position as a smart, scalable, and highly efficient cargo hub, strengthening CEAL’s operational capabilities and setting benchmarks for air cargo automation across Asia.
