Swissport Invests in Specialist Cargo Handling Facility for Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

Swissport Invests in Specialist Cargo Handling Facility for Tanzania’s Northern Circuit

(IN BRIEF) Swissport has opened a new 630-square-metre temperature-controlled cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport, strengthening its African cargo network and increasing cold chain capacity for East Africa’s growing perishables export market. The facility, already operational, supports storage temperatures from +2°C to +25°C and frozen storage from -10°C to -20°C, with capacity to handle up to 13,000 tons of cargo annually and accommodate 36 built-up cargo pallets, equivalent to around 180 tons. Designed for exporters, airlines and freight forwarders, it will support shipments including flowers, fresh produce, seafood, meat, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive cargo, while digital systems such as integrated weighing, mobile scanning and automated tracking improve visibility, traceability and processing speed. The investment also reflects Swissport’s sustainability focus, with around 90 percent electric ground support equipment, LED lighting and ISO 14001 certification, and complements the company’s cargo operations in Dar es Salaam and wider African gateways including Johannesburg, Nairobi and Accra.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZURICH, 12-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Swissport has strengthened its African cargo network with the opening of a new temperature-controlled cargo facility at Kilimanjaro International Airport, increasing cold chain capacity for East Africa’s growing perishables export market.

The new facility reinforces Swissport’s position as a leading provider of specialist cargo handling services across Africa.

Designed to support exporters, airlines and freight forwarders, the facility provides modern cold chain infrastructure for temperature-sensitive shipments.

It will help protect cargo quality and integrity, improve operational efficiency and expand access to global markets.

Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, and Global Cargo Chair at Swissport, said the facility reflects Swissport’s long-term commitment to Tanzania and strengthens the company’s cargo network in one of East Africa’s most important export regions.

He said that as demand for perishables and other temperature-sensitive shipments continues to grow across Africa, customers increasingly value partners that combine local expertise with consistent global operating standards.

Goovaerts added that the facility forms part of Swissport’s wider strategy to invest in modern cargo infrastructure across Africa and support the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive cargo.

The new 630-square-metre facility is already operational.

It has been developed to meet growing demand from exporters across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, one of East Africa’s leading horticultural production regions.

The facility also addresses long-standing capacity constraints and replaces the airport’s previous cargo facility, which had served the industry since 1998.

The site includes four temperature-controlled chillers and one freezer.

It supports storage temperatures ranging from +2°C to +25°C, with dedicated frozen storage between -10°C and -20°C.

The facility is designed to handle up to 13,000 tons of cargo annually.

It can accommodate up to 36 built-up cargo pallets, equivalent to approximately 180 tons of cargo.

The new infrastructure significantly increases Swissport’s ability to handle perishable exports including flowers, fresh produce, seafood, meat and other temperature-sensitive products.

It also adds capacity for pharmaceutical shipments and other specialist temperature-controlled cargo.

Alongside modern cold storage, the facility incorporates advanced digital technologies.

These include an Integrated Weighing System connected to Swissport’s cargo management platform, mobile cargo scanning and automated cargo tracking capabilities.

The technologies are designed to improve shipment visibility, support cargo traceability and provide customers with faster cargo processing.

The Kilimanjaro cargo operation also reflects Swissport’s commitment to more sustainable operations.

Approximately 90 percent of its ground support equipment is electric.

The facility also uses energy-efficient LED lighting and is certified to ISO 14001 environmental management standards.

The investment forms part of Swissport’s broader strategy to expand specialised cargo infrastructure at key air cargo gateways across Africa.

In East Africa, the Kilimanjaro facility complements Swissport’s established cargo operations in Dar es Salaam.

It also forms part of a broader African cargo network that includes key gateways such as Johannesburg, Nairobi and Accra.

Together with its global network of more than 120 cargo centres, Swissport provides airlines and freight forwarders with consistent handling standards, specialist expertise and integrated cargo services across international trade lanes.

In Tanzania, Swissport offers a full range of cargo handling services, including general cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, express freight, e-commerce shipments and specialist cargo handling.

As a global provider of aviation services, Swissport said it will continue investing in modern cargo infrastructure across its network.

The company’s approach combines global scale, standardised operating procedures, digital capabilities and local expertise to support customers with safe, efficient and consistent cargo handling.

Media Contact:

Tel: +41 (0) 43 815 00 22
email: group.communications@swissport.com

SOURCE: Swissport International AG