SATS introduces autonomous cargo vehicles at Changi
The service will move cargo between SATS terminals and freight forwarders’ warehouses, with ACVs carrying up to 800 kilogrammes in the pilot.
SATS has introduced an Autonomous Cargo Vehicle (ACV) service to transport cargo between its airfreight terminals and freight forwarders’ warehouses within the Free Trade Zone at Changi Airfreight Centre in Singapore.
The service is designed for freight forwarders and cargo agents and is currently being validated under live operating conditions ahead of full deployment.
The ACVs used in the pilot can carry up to 800 kilogrammes of cargo and automate routine point-to-point movements between SATS Airfreight Terminals and freight forwarders’ warehouses. The solution can be scaled with higher-capacity ACVs capable of carrying up to 1,500 kilogrammes and could potentially support round-the-clock operations.
The on-demand cargo transfers are designed to reduce freight forwarders’ reliance on truck and driver schedules. SATS said this can help speed up cargo collection and delivery, allowing consignees to receive shipments sooner.
“Autonomous transportation allows us to rethink how cargo moves through the airport ecosystem, shifting routine movements towards an on-demand, scalable model,” said Henry Low, CEO, SATS SG Hub.
“By integrating it into our operations, we can unlock capacity, strengthen resilience and augment the capabilities of our people, while delivering greater speed and reliability for our customers,” Low added.
SATS worked with Changi Airport Group to deploy and validate the ACVs under the airport’s autonomous vehicle operational and safety framework. The collaboration allows the technology to be tested and progressively integrated into live cargo operations while meeting the safety and operational requirements of the Changi air cargo ecosystem.
The fully electric vehicles also support the transition towards more sustainable cargo transportation within the airport environment.
The initiative is part of SATS Singapore Hub’s Hub Handler of the Future programme, announced in October 2025. The programme brings together people, technology and new operating models to increase capacity, improve visibility and strengthen operational resilience.
