Lufthansa Cargo modernises RFS infrastructure at Frankfurt hub

Contract signed for renewal of road feeder services stacker as part of comprehensive infrastructure programme at the German air cargo carrier’s main hub facility.

Lufthansa Cargo is pushing ahead with the refurbishment of its ageing main hub facilities at Frankfurt Airport, awarding another major contract as part of its multi-year infrastructure modernisation programme.

The latest move is the modernisation of the terminal’s road feeder services (RFS) high-rack storage system, with two companies – Vollert Anlagenbau and Körber – winning the procurement procedure and preparing to carry out the modernisation of the RFS stacker’s mechanical, control and IT systems from next year. Lufthansa Cargo is being supported in the planning of the project by Miebach Consulting.

Lufthansa Cargo has confirmed that it will “further develop and renew the logistics centre at its home hub in Frankfurt on a modular basis as part of its ‘LCCevolution’ infrastructure programme. In parallel, several preparatory measures for the construction of the new central high-rack storage system at the Lufthansa Cargo Centre are currently underway, in addition to the new construction of the art warehouse.

The conversion measures in the areas of mechanics, control and IT systems of the RFS high-rack storage system, which is around 20 years old, will start in the second quarter of 2022. Two stacker cranes will be replaced by new technology. The moving truck docks, which are necessary for loading and unloading trucks with ULDs, will also be modernised.

Completion of the RFS stacker conversion is planned for early summer 2023. The complete modernisation of the Lufthansa Cargo Centre is supposed to be finished in 2029.

Harald Gloy, the cargo airline’s Chief Operations Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer, commented: “The modernisation of the RFS stacker is another important component of the extensive infrastructure programme for the logistics centre at the Frankfurt site. In the future, our Road Feeder Services customers will benefit from shorter turnaround times and more efficient handling of transports by truck.

“With the help of a modern IT environment, we are ensuring the adaptability of the high-rack storage system with regard to upcoming technological developments.”

Dirk Hejnal, CEO for Körber’s Supply Chain business area, commented: “Körber’s extensive experience in supply chain technology – in this case in the fields of retrofit, automation and software – allows us to provide Lufthansa Cargo with a tailored solution for this project. With this, the cargo airline can fulfil the high expectations of today and tomorrow and deliver better customer service.”

Source: Lloyd’s