SEPANG, Nov 1 — The newly-launched Cainiao Aeropolis electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) hub has positioned KL International Airport (KLIA) as the regional distribution centre (RDC) in the Asia Pacific market.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the hub has welcomed several cargo logistic operators as contract logistic players, providing space for their end-customers such as cargo operators and retail electronics company.
With its massive 1.1 million sq ft warehouse spaces, the hub enables operators with a faster turnaround as well as value-added services such as new light manufacturing, assembly, repairs and return logistics, he said.
“This will then make this place their RDC for the entire region, therefore bringing new volumes in for us,” he told reporters after the launch of the hub here today.
The hub, which commenced its operation in November last year, was set up through a 30:70 partnership between MAHB and Alibaba Group with a RM500 million investment.
Within the entire KLIA cargo village, there are about 200 players consisting of cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders and cargo airlines.
Iskandar said the airport operator hoped to welcome 10 new operators on board the hub especially from the vertical market of retail electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, sporting goods and the fast-moving fashion segment.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who officiated at the launch of the hub, said the advent of e-commerce in recent years has proven to be a boon for air cargo growth as it is the single largest catalytic driver.
“The Cainiao eWTP hub will be a game changer for Malaysia as the Asia-Pacific hub for RDC and e-commerce logistics.
“It greatly benefits from being in a free commercial zone with airside access to value added activities like break bulking and light assembly as well as 24-hour customs operations using smart technology that enables end-to-end multi-modal customs clearance,” he said.
He noted that the Cainiao eWTP hub, together with Royal Customs Malaysia, has put in place a customs clearance system that would take only one-and-a-half hours to complete — a vast improvement from the 24 to 48 hours previously.
In 2020, the Malaysian freight and logistics market was valued at US$37.6 billion and is expected to reach more than US$55 billion by 2026.
