en.Wedoany.com Reported - Swissport has announced the launch of a new temperature-controlled cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, aimed at enhancing cold chain handling capabilities, strengthening its cargo network in Africa, and consolidating the company's position as a leading provider of specialized cargo handling services in the country.
The new facility enhances cargo handling capabilities for exporters, airlines, and freight forwarders by providing cold chain infrastructure, protecting the quality and integrity of temperature-sensitive goods, improving operational efficiency, and expanding global market access.
Spanning 630 square meters, the facility is designed to meet the growing demands of exporters in Tanzania's Northern Circuit, one of East Africa's leading horticultural production areas. The new facility will alleviate long-standing capacity bottlenecks and replace the airport's original cargo facility that has been in service since 1998.
The facility is equipped with four temperature-controlled coolers and one freezer, providing storage support for goods within the range of +2°C to +25°C, along with a dedicated frozen storage area of -10°C to -20°C. It has a designed annual handling capacity of 13,000 tonnes of cargo and can accommodate up to six assembled cargo pallets, equivalent to approximately 180 tonnes of cargo.
Now fully operational, the facility will enhance Swissport's overall capabilities in handling perishable goods such as flowers, fresh produce, seafood, meat, and other temperature-sensitive products, while also providing additional handling capacity for pharmaceutical cargo and other temperature-sensitive goods. The facility also integrates several digital technologies, including an integrated weighing system connected to Swissport's cargo management platform, mobile cargo scanning, and automated cargo tracking capabilities.
Approximately 90% of the facility's ground support equipment is fully electric, energy-efficient LED lighting is used throughout, and it has been certified under the ISO 14001 environmental management system.
Dirk Goovaerts, CEO for Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India at Swissport and Global Head of Cargo, stated that the facility reflects the company's long-term commitment to Tanzania and strengthens Swissport's cargo network in one of East Africa's most important export regions. As demand for perishable and other temperature-sensitive goods continues to grow across Africa, customers increasingly value partners that combine local expertise with globally consistent operating standards. The facility is part of Swissport's broader strategy to invest in modern cargo infrastructure in Africa, supporting the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive goods.
This investment is part of Swissport's strategy to expand specialized cargo infrastructure at key air cargo gateways across Africa. The Kilimanjaro facility will complement the company's existing cargo operations in Dar es Salaam and will be integrated into a broader African cargo network covering key gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Accra. Swissport's global network covers more than 120 cargo centers in total.
