15 August 2025, Friday
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Singapore has unveiled a new air cargo handling facility at Changi Airport that reduces processing time by 20 per cent and will serve as a test bed for future operations at Terminal 5, reported Singapore's Straits Times.
The Bulk Unitisation Programme (BUP) Handling Centre, officially opened on August 5, is the first drive-through cargo centre of its kind globally. The 3,000-square metre facility can process outgoing shipments in two hours, down from the previous two and a half hours.
BUP is a packing method that consolidates loose cargo into standardised units such as pallets or containers, streamlining the handling of consumer and electronic goods like clothing and household items.
Previously, freight forwarders had to transport loose cargo to a warehouse for packing before loading onto aircraft. The new centre allows for direct handover of ready-to-ship units, improving efficiency.
Developed by ground-handling firm Sats, the facility is located in Changi Airfreight Centre beside Terminal 1. It will trial enhanced cargo processes for Terminal 5 and the Changi East Industrial Zone, which is expected to open in the mid-2030s.
Kuah Boon Kiam, senior vice-president for cargo services at Sats, said the centre helps maximise limited space by centralising ready-to-ship units, ahead of the zone's future expansion.
The faster processing is attributed to a streamlined acceptance process, where freight forwarders hand over goods for weight and shape checks and document verification, ensuring compatibility with aircraft requirements.
