The German airport is forecast to handle over three million tons of cargo annually by 2040, 50% higher than the 2021 peak, and the logistics sector will have to evolve to deal with changing goods flows, digitisation and sustainability.
The masterplan has three initiatives covering digitisation and process innovation, space optimisation, and space development.
Transforming the Cargo Community System, which uses data-driven dashboards and analysis to provide real-time insights and smart management options is a key part of digitising processes to make logistics more streamlined and transparent.
Fraport has formed a joint venture with software developer DAKOSY called allivate to develop the system.
The cargo community has already agreed on a roadmap to accelerate the digital transformation of cargo services.
Space inside CargoCity South will be redesigned and developed to swap flight operations areas and cargo space to free up 43,000 square metres of additional cargo space, which will have direct connections to the apron.
The move will create 20,000 square metres of additional space for ground handling and special services.
Under the plan, the 18 affected aircraft positions will remain available under a new arrangement.
Fraport is in discussions with the appropriate regulatory authorities about the change and will initiate the zoning modification process shortly.
To cater for growing volumes, Fraport’s vision is for a new LogisticsHub West to be built on the site of the former Ticona plant in the west of the airport.
The development will happen in two stages with logistics facilities being made available that include up to 150,000 square metres of warehouse space built on a site totalling around 250,000 square metres from 2028.
Operational facilities for other airport functions will occupy another 35,000 square metres and its vicinity to the northwest runway offers the potential for a connection to the airport’s airside area.
In the long-term, Fraport says there is the option of developing the LogisticsHub West into a trimodal hub that includes road, rail and air connections, which would happen after 2030.
Dr Pierre Dominique Prümm, Executive Director for Aviation and Infrastructure at Fraport, says, “We’re developing our airport sustainably and in line with actual demand. This is why we’re launching the CargoHub Masterplan. Our aim is to position the Frankfurt CargoHub for the future – thus making a clear contribution to growth in the state of Hesse as an economic powerhouse in the heart of Germany and Europe.”
Max Philipp Conrady, SVP Cargo Development and Management at Fraport, adds, “The guiding principle for our vision is ‘Creating the Future of Cargo Together’, that’s because the development will only work if we cooperate with everyone affected, particularly the local cargo community.”