Topping-out wreath flies over Hamburg Airport Cargo Center

"Our goal as airport is to take a leading role in the development of infrastructure provision for Hamburg as a center of aviation and airfreight. HACC, with its modern and future-proof design, is a decisive building block in this process,"said Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport at today's topping-out ceremony at Weg beim Jaeger. He emphasised that "airfreight is an integral component of Hamburg Airport's corporate strategy." The company is investing a total of around 50 million euros in the logistics facility at the airport site. The new development has become necessary because the existing facilities are no longer sufficient to meet the growing requirements of quick and efficient airfreight handling.

Efficient space planning results in improved processes

The concept for the new logistics facility on Weg beim Jaeger was developed in collaboration with the forwarding agents, airfreight handlers, and cargo airlines already based at the airport. The aim was to plan the use of space on the basis of actual requirements of future users, thereby maximising the efficiency of operational freight handling processes, from the truck loading ramp to goods-in, from screening to aircraft loading. State-of-the-art screening technology will ensure that the processes for the legally mandated security checks run smoothly. "Infrastructure that is aligned with processes saves time and money - and is therefore especially attractive for our customers," explains Alexander Mueller, Director of Cargo at Flughafen Hamburg GmbH, whose responsibilities include rentals and tenancy at the site.

Annual cargo capacity of 150,000 tonnes

In total, around 20,000 square meters have been allocated to logistics space for handling companies and forwarding agents. Directly adjacent to the large freight hall will be 44 loading ramp positions for trucks and 36 for articulated truck-trailer combinations. A 60-meter underpass being constructed under the street, Weg beim Jaeger, means  that the new airfreight facility will be linked directly with the airport’s apron. The opening of the HACC is scheduled for the second quarter of 2016. Long-term rental contracts have already been signed for more than 90 percent of the office and cargo handling space. HACC is based on a concept that allows for an annual capacity of around 150,000 tonnes of airfreight.

For the sake of the environment: Resource-efficient concept

Environmental experts have been involved in the project to develop a special resource-efficient concept for the Hamburg Airport Cargo Center. Included in the concept are geothermal probe pumps which cover one third of the heating and cooling requirements, as well as a highly efficient heat recovery system. Furthermore, exclusive use will be made of low-energy lighting.

Weg beim Jaeger: construction work on left-turn lane

After the topping-out ceremony, the roadworks on Weg beim Jaeger will enter the next phase. As well as the laying of supply cables and pipes, construction will begin for a left-turn lane which will then serve as a direct entry to the Hamburg Airport Cargo Center. Due to the ongoing construction work, the partial closure of Weg beim Jaeger is expected to remain in place until the end of the year.