UPS has opened an 89,000 sq metre Asia-Pacific hub at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport in Guangdong province, reported IFW. The new facility replaces one based in the Philippines, and includes an express Customs handling unit, sorting facilities, and cargo handling and storage areas.

The US$180m Shenzhen facility can handle up to 18,000 units an hour, more than twice capacity at the Philippines, and can be expanded to 36,000 units an hour.

UPS says the move brings the company closer to its customer base. It is expected to cut at least a day off shipment time-in-transit for customers in the region.

In 2009 UPS opened a new international air hub at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, mainly focused on connections with Europe and the US.