Legal entity Baltijas kravu centrs SIA was established in 2001 and since then has been providing high-quality cargo and mail handling services for airlines flying to and from Riga in Latvia.

Operating more than 20 years, the brand name of the company has changed from Globe Ground Baltic, North Hub Cargo to Baltic Cargo Center, but the dedication to provide best air cargo handling product to clients has remained at heart of the company.

With new, state-of-the-art cargo handling terminal – Baltic Cargo HUB (BCH) – scheduled for completion Q1 2025, we aim to substantially increase cargo handling capacity and quality in Riga.

Ambition

BCH is developed to be multimodal facility with diverse handling capabilities. The building is designed to handle air cargo and air mail, bulk and unitized (ULD) flights, air and Road feeder service (RFS), general cargo and specialized shipments, e-commerce, EU and non-EU shipments.

At completion, BCH will operate 5000 m2 heated warehouse space and 2000m2 office space with additional 2500 m2 paved open-air storage area, with ambition to safeguard leading cargo handling terminal status in the Baltics.

BCH is located directly at RIX Cargo apron, allowing quick ramp access for dedicated freighters and shorter travel to aircraft stands for passenger flights.

To facilitate growing demand for e-commerce and air mail handling, BCH will be equipped with semiautomatic sorting line, increasing throughput via Riga. Easy, convenient, and effective high-level sorting of parcels, mail bags, or e-commerce can be provided at BCH terminal.

BCH topping off2

Baltic Cargo HUB

Furthermore, BCH is designed to improve cargo handling product with enhanced special storage capabilities.

* Temperature sensitive shipments – four segregated rooms totalling 150 m2 for pharma and perishables, with temperature ranges +15 +25 (CRT), +2/+8 (COL), -18 (FRO) and options to provide individual temperature settings;

* Three segregated Dangerous goods storage rooms;

* Valuable & VUN storage with double access control;

* Live animal room.

Alongside handling bulk shipments, BCH will be outfitted with ULD handling equipment from industry leader Loedige Industries GmbH, allowing effective build up and break down of dedicated freighters. BCH will incorporate:

* Two Elevating workstations (EWS);

* Truck dock for Build up pallets (BUP);

* Castor deck area of more than 800 m2 with two built in 10t scales;

* Loedige slave pallet mover;

* 20t ground scales;

* ULD storage racks.

BCH acts also as Offline handling for Carriers in export and import, supported by RFS partners offering scheduled trucking connections with other airports in the region.

Digital footprint

Core business functions are supported by Champ Cargospot software, allowing real-time status updates and transparency for shippers and carriers. Cargospot Mobile is helping BCH employees on the shop floor. Furthermore, BCH has digital local Customs interface for seamless customs clearance process.

One stop shop

BCH was designed to improve supply chain processes, and all industry stakeholders are gathered in one place. BCH will house state functions – Customs checkpoint and Food and Veterinary services, providing easy access for customs issues resolution and prompt response for perishables and live animal shipments arriving in the EU. BCH office space is offered for commercial stakeholders – Freight forwarders, Customs brokers, and GSSAs.

Green thinking

BCH is designed with sustainability in mind. BCH building is BREEAM certified ensuring project meets sustainability objectives and continues to perform optimally over time. Additionally, operations in BCH are supplemented with environment-friendly initiatives like waste sorting, sustainably-sourced work clothes, and electrification of vehicles.

BCH design 1

Source: Baltic Cargo HUB

Construction progress

BCH construction commenced on 15th February 2024, with brick laying event on May 10 and topping out ceremony on July 26. Construction is proceeding according to schedule, and BCH building silhouette is well-seen from RIX airport runway. In autumn 2024, internal works will be underway, and Loedige material handling system will be installed. Commissioning of BCH is scheduled for Q1 2025.

Quality

Quality assurance and continuous improvement lies at heart of BCH. Operating in strict adherence to IATA standards and Carriers manuals allows BCH to keep up with demands for effectiveness and quality in Cargo Handling. BCH also holds Customs Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate validating internal procedures and granting Customs simplifications, accelerating customs clearance process.

BCH maintains in-house security screening personnel, undergoing regular training and certification, allowing export acceptance without any delay. BCH staff also undergoes IATA based DGR, LAR, and ULD trainings.

Contacts for inquiries

Riga Airport is a well-established airport not only for passenger traffic, but also for cargo. Located in the centre of the Baltics, with catchment area reaching Central Europe and Nordics, and easy access to extensive airBaltic cargo network and dedicated cargo apron in operations, RIX is well-suited for air cargo entry point to and out from the EU.

Baltic Cargo HUB with state-of-the-art cargo handling terminal infrastructure and equipment will solidify RIX positions in air cargo market.

To learn more about the benefits and Cargo Handling offering at Baltic Cargo HUB please contact:

Arvids Maurans

Executive Director

rvm@balticcargocenter.com

BCH logo green