The Air Cargo & Logistics Forum 2025, held on 18–19 September in Shanghai, brought together global freight, logistics, and compliance leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of air cargo between Asia and Europe. NG-Terminal was proud to be among the participants, sharing insights, meeting key partners, and showcasing how our bonded warehousing and customs solutions are helping clients navigate today’s increasingly complex supply chains.
A Shifting Air Freight Landscape
Asia–Europe air cargo remains a vital trade lane, but the environment is more complex than ever. During the two-day forum, several common themes emerged:
- Persistent capacity challenges continue to put pressure on planning cycles, especially on high-demand eCommerce lanes. With bellyhold cargo space still below pre-pandemic levels, shippers are seeking more reliable and responsive logistics partners.
- Fuel costs and air surcharges remain volatile, reinforcing the importance of efficiency, route optimisation, and digital transparency in freight operations.
- Customs and regulatory changes across major markets – including the UK, EU, and China – are adding compliance risks for companies that don’t stay ahead. Regulatory synchronisation and documentation accuracy are now strategic requirements.
- Businesses are no longer just looking for transportation — they want end-to-end trade enablement, covering customs, warehousing, fulfilment, duty management, and sustainability.
These discussions reaffirmed NG-Terminal’s vision: to be more than a carrier — we are a trade partner built for agility, compliance, and global integration.
Alicia’s Interview with IDX: The UK Perspective
As part of the event, Alicia Chen, NG-Terminal’s Business Development Director, joined an exclusive video interview with IDX, our media partner, to speak about the changing expectations of logistics providers and the role NG-Terminal plays in cross-border trade.
Here are a few highlights from her interview:
- Bonded Warehousing for Duty Deferment
Alicia explained how NG-Terminal’s bonded warehouse — strategically located near London Heathrow Airport (LHR) — allows clients to defer customs duties until goods are officially released. This relieves pressure on working capital and supports partial release strategies for more agile inventory control.
“Our bonded warehousing is one of this year’s highlights,” Alicia said. “It enables flexible, duty-deferred inventory solutions and frees up cashflow — a key advantage in this high-cost, high-volume environment.”
- Three-Layer Compliance Assurance via MyNGT
Alicia outlined NG-Terminal’s three-layer compliance system, powered by its proprietary platform MyNGT:
- Pre-shipment document review, ensuring accuracy before goods move
- Real-time monitoring of regulation changes during transit
- Post-entry audits and training to reduce long-term compliance risk
“We don’t just manage declarations — we train our clients to avoid errors from the very beginning.”
- Introducing HURIX: A New Model for Retail Sourcing
Alicia also shared NG-Terminal’s new initiative: HURIX, a sourcing and liquidation platform that helps overseas retailers break through traditional wholesale barriers and access UK stock via zero-risk pre-order models.
“We’re building digital corridors to help retailers reduce entry costs and inventory risks. HURIX is a key part of that.”
Looking Ahead: Compliance, Technology, and Sustainability
NG-Terminal’s roadmap for the next two to three years is clear. We will continue to evolve from a freight handler into a compliance-first, tech-powered supply chain partner.
As Alicia noted, logistics providers are no longer just moving goods — they are supporting risk mitigation, customs strategy, and long-term sustainability goals.
“Our goal is to integrate technology and sustainability into every layer of service, helping clients navigate the fragmented and fast-changing world of global trade.”
Final Thoughts: Asia–Europe Trade Needs Agile Partners
Shanghai’s forum made one thing certain — the future of air cargo is not just about speed or cost, but about trust, compliance, and visibility. NG-Terminal is committed to offering all three, backed by bonded infrastructure, digital platforms, and deep knowledge of UK–Asia trade corridors.
Whether you’re a global retailer, eCommerce platform, or freight forwarder, NG-Terminal is ready to support your growth with smart warehousing, customs expertise, and zero-risk entry models.
Interested in optimising your trade flows? Contact our BD team at ngtbd@ng-terminal.com to discuss bonded warehousing, compliance, or sourcing solutions.