Leadership Shift at Cathay Cargo Terminal Ushers in New Era of Operational Excellence and Growth

New Faces Take Charge at Cathay Cargo Terminal

On 1 September 2025, Cathay Cargo Terminal announced the appointment of Pierre Bastjaens as CEO of Service Subsidiaries and Ruize Zhao as Chief Operating Officer, marking a significant leadership change. These new roles replace previous management, with a focus on strengthening operational performance, safety protocols, and sustainable practices.

CEO Pierre Bastjaens: From Procurement to Leadership

Pierre Bastjaens steps into his CEO role equipped with extensive experience across Cathay Pacific’s group since joining in 2011. His background as General Manager of Procurement and Aircraft Trading saw him excel in forming strategic partnerships and streamlining supply chain operations. As CEO, Pierre now oversees diverse subsidiaries including Cathay Cargo Terminal, Cathay Dining, Hong Kong Airport Services Limited (HAS by Cathay), and Vogue Laundry.

COO Ruize Zhao Brings Aviation and Shipping Expertise

Ruize Zhao’s decade-plus career experience spans aviation and maritime domains, having commenced as an International Management Trainee at the Swire Group in 2011. His journey took him through procurement, engineering, and digital management roles across multiple regions including Southeast Asia and Australia. Before this appointment, Ruize led Passenger Network Planning at Cathay Pacific Airways, contributing significantly to network optimization during the airline’s post-pandemic rebound. His blend of operational insight and strategic planning positions him to drive efficiency and service quality at the cargo terminal.

Лидерское видение и цели

• Safety enhancement: Maintaining top-tier safety standards.
• Operational efficiency: Streamlining workflows and improving turnaround times.
• Sustainability initiatives: Building on existing eco-friendly programs to promote greener logistics.
• Talent development: Fostering employee growth to sustain industry leadership.

Both Pierre and Ruize have expressed strong commitment to elevating Cathay Cargo Terminal’s global standing through innovation and teamwork. Pierre emphasized the importance of delivering lasting value to customers and partners, while Ruize highlighted enhancing service reliability as a key priority.

Reflecting on Past Achievements and Future Directions

The leadership tenure of former COO Mark Watts was marked by several milestones that have laid a solid foundation for the new team to build upon. Under his direction, Cathay Cargo Terminal underwent a company-wide rebrand, established a strategic outpost in Dongguan, Mainland China, and launched Hong Kong International Airport’s largest Pharma Handling Centre. Sustainability also saw a big boost with initiatives such as the e-SRF to move towards paperless operations, which significantly increased waste recycling rates and improved plastic circularity.

Mark Watts’ Career Highlights

Watts has now assumed the role of General Manager, Procurement and Aircraft Trading at Cathay Pacific, reflecting a continuation of his involvement in critical supply and operational functions.

Cargo Performance and Market Dynamics

Highlighting Cathay Cargo Terminal’s robust performance, cargo throughput rose by 11% year-over-year in July 2025 to 140,156 tonnes. This surge was notably fueled by demand from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong, with machinery and perishable goods driving trade flows. Seasonal factors like cherry exports from the U.S. also contributed to the cargo volume increase, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of global freight movements.

Key Cargo Growth Factors

1. Southeast Asia trade boost – Machinery and perishables leading demand.
2. Seasonal exports – Fresh produce shipments like cherries enhancing volume.
3. Logistics resilience – Smooth handling despite complex global supply chain challenges.

Implications for Logistics and Supply Chain Management

The leadership changes at Cathay Cargo Terminal reflect the ongoing need for agility and strategic thinking in global logistics. With a newly strengthened leadership team focused on efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, the cargo terminal is poised to enhance its role as a critical node in international shipping networks. These developments underscore the importance of integrating procurement savvy, operational expertise, and digital innovation in freight and cargo operations—key elements shaping modern logistics landscapes.

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Looking Ahead: Leadership Changes and Their Logistics Impact

Globally, leadership shifts in key logistics hubs like Cathay Cargo Terminal may not drastically alter worldwide freight flows overnight, but they symbolize important commitments towards innovation, safety, and sustainability—pillars essential to future-proofing cargo operations. For companies and individuals relying on complex shipment networks, staying updated on such developments is crucial. GetTransport.com remains keen to follow these trends closely, ensuring users have timely access to reliable, cost-effective shipping and relocation solutions.

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Заключение

The appointments of Pierre Bastjaens as CEO and Ruize Zhao as COO at Cathay Cargo Terminal highlight a strategic push towards operational excellence, safety, and environmental responsibility. Building on the progress made under previous leadership, this new management duo brings a blend of procurement expertise and aviation logistics acumen that is set to enhance efficiency and service quality. With cargo volumes on the rise and markets evolving rapidly, integrating innovative leadership with sustainable practices is more important than ever.

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