Technical Feasibility Study of the MHS for the Redevelopment of the Hongkong Post Air Mail Center

Overview

Hongkong Post will redevelop the existing Airmail Center at Hong Kong International Airport, and BNP was engaged to provide consultancy services for a redevelopment feasibility study. The principal intent of the redevelopment was to increase the operational capacity of the existing site without taking additional land while remaining within the height limits of the site close to the runway. Other objectives included automating and consolidating all mail-handling processes, integrating new mail products related to cross-border and international e-commerce, and enabling full tracking and tracing of all mail throughout the handling process. The conceptual design and supporting information were used to achieve government approval and funding for the project to proceed.

Technology Evaluation

A key part of the design phase was reviewing different technologies and handling methods for each step of the mail process. Two main approaches were considered: bulk-level handling and item-level handling. Bulk-level handling utilizes pallet cages that hold multiple mailbags, offering high storage density, which initially seems ideal for a space-limited building. However, this method requires several handling and sorting steps, including unloading and reloading mailbags from and to the cages for destination sorting. These extra steps add time and take up space, reducing the overall benefit of high-density storage.

Item-Level Handling Solution

The second approach involved item-level handling, where each bag is managed individually. The main challenge of the item-level approach is space-efficient storage of the individual bags; for this, a shuttle rack storage system (lift and run) was chosen. Shuttle rack systems have become common in e-commerce applications where fast response and high throughput are essential. The high throughput achievable with a shuttle rack storage system also allows it to function as a sorter, thereby eliminating an entire set of sorting equipment.

System Advantages

Another key advantage of the shuttle rack storage system is that there are no constraints on the timing or sequence of sorting throughout the day. If a conventional cross-belt sorter is used, dedicated timeslots for sorting different categories of mail are required, which slows the process and introduces early cut-off times for the receipt of mail before the sorting time window, both of which degrade the overall capacity of the facility.

Project Approval

BNP supported Hongkong Post through the government submission and approval process to secure the budget of HK$4.6B for the redevelopment project.