Bangkok cargo backlog spreads to exports as airlines throttle inbound freight

More than 1,000 uncollected cargo lots and 700–800 pallets awaiting breakdown are sitting in Thai Airways' warehouse at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, and the backlog has now spread from imports to exports, prompting Cathay Cargo and Singapore Airlines Cargo to restrict Bangkok-bound freight.

Airline accounts reported the figures on Thursday. Neither Thai Airways nor Airports of Thailand (AOT) has confirmed the size of the backlog or offered a recovery date.

Thai Airways acknowledged on Friday that rising inbound volumes had left large numbers of unit load devices (ULDs) waiting for breakdown and storage, delaying deliveries. The carrier said it was adding staff and forklifts, seeking more space, and introducing a system to record cargo locations. It is prioritising shipments that arrived before 23 October while continuing to handle new arrivals.

What is AOT doing about it?

AOT said it had allocated Warehouse 4 in the airport's free zone for oversized cargo and was discussing additional space for international imports with Thai Airways and Customs. It is also working to improve shipment tracking.

Tracking failures sit at the heart of the problem. The Thai Airfreight Forwarders Association said missing or inaccurate storage records have left agents unable to establish when shipments can be collected. Unprocessed cargo also ties up ULDs needed for subsequent flights, which is what turned an import problem into an export problem.

How are airlines responding?

Cathay Cargo has restricted Bangkok-bound freight until at least 15 November, accepting only intact ULDs that can be released without breakdown at destination, with exemptions for specified temperature-controlled and special cargo. Singapore Airlines Cargo notified customers last week of temporary restrictions on certain shipments, citing disruption to ULD circulation and outbound handling.

UK forwarder Beckchoice reported that a 3 November advisory from Thai Airways' Korea cargo office noted limited acceptance of some transit and Thailand-bound freight between 4 and 8 November, restricted to through or unitised ULDs.

Warnings predate these measures. Teleport, Expeditors and Geodis have all flagged congestion at the TG warehouse over the past two months, affecting both inbound and outbound handling.

In its latest regional air market update, Expeditors said Thai Airways had asked airlines to reduce inbound volumes and had restricted additional charters until further notice. An earlier briefing reported a request to cut inbound cargo by 50% through 7 November. Expeditors also reported longer queues for weighing and export handover, as import breakdown delays prolonged export processing. At BFS, truck waiting times remain around 24 hours, despite some improvement following warehouse expansion.

What is stuck in the warehouse?

Time-sensitive manufacturing inputs are among the exposed goods. WICE Logistics executive Chudech Kongsunthorn told Thai publication The Standard that data centre and electronics investment was driving equipment imports, alongside shipments of semiconductor and electronic parts, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Cargo normally released within 24 hours was taking days or, in some cases, weeks, he said.

Export delays also threaten electronics and other airfreight staples, including fresh food, flowers, gems and medical goods.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce warned that delays were raising costs and disrupting production and delivery schedules for manufacturers reliant on imported materials and components. Congested working areas and delayed ULD breakdown are now affecting exports directly.

The congestion comes despite demand growth on some routes: WorldACD recorded a 20% year-on-year increase in chargeable weight from Thailand to the US in the week to 1 November. With Cathay's restrictions running to at least 15 November and Thai Airways offering no recovery date, Bangkok's exporters face weeks of queueing before the warehouse clears.

By Nathan Brooks