Emirates SkyCargo boosts Australian trade links

Annual capacity between Australia and points throughout carrier’s network will exceed 155,000 tons after the launch of Adelaide service

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, will carry up to 14 tons of freight per flight between South Australia and Dubai when four weekly flights to Adelaide launch on 1 November 2012, significantly boosting trade between South Australia and Dubai.

The additional 56 tons will take the weekly capacity to and from Australia to 1500 tons and Emirates SkyCargo’s capacity – which includes three dedicated freighter services from Sydney each week – will be further strengthened from 1 March 2013, when the number of services operating from Dubai to Australia rises to 84 per week.

Emirates’ flights to Adelaide will be operated with a B777-300ER, and will rise to a daily service from 1 February 2013, further cementing Emirates’ commitment to Australia.

The new Emirates SkyCargo South Australian gateway will connect businesses with the key trade hub of Dubai and onwards to more than 100 destinations on the Emirates network, boosting growth for Adelaide and its manufacturing, agriculture and mining intensive economy.

“We expect demand to be strong for a variety of commodities going into and out of Adelaide and Dubai, and are keen to build on our role as the first carrier to link Australia and the Middle East with direct services,” said Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo Ram Menen. “To date, Emirates SkyCargo has carried over 357,000 tons of Australian exports,” he added.

Australia was ranked the 16th highest trading partner of the UAE, exporting $2,198,000 worth of goods in 2010-2011; a growth of 11.3% year on year. In the UAE, with its substantial expat community and diversification into an immense trading port, there is a continued demand for foodstuffs which aren’t easily produced locally, such as organic farm produce and cold meats.

Emirates SkyCargo will move a mixture of commodities from its new port to Dubai and onwards, including such perishable goods such as meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy and eggs. Other key industry areas in South Australia that will benefit from the comprehensive Emirates route network include building supplies, machine parts, cosmetics and oils and resins.

The introduction of Emirates’ services to South Australia will open up lucrative export markets for Australian businesses, including the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

From Dubai to Adelaide, imports freighted with Emirates SkyCargo are expected to include electronic equipment such as computers and mobile phones from Asian ports, as well as European destinations.

Emirates SkyCargo offers a customised, tailor-made solution for this varied range of goods, with the expertise and equipment to provide a number of specialised services for the transport and warehousing of perishable goods and vulnerable electronics, and also temperature-controlled items, urgent deliveries and bulky loads such as pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, oil and gas components as well as unusual consignments.

Its Cargo Mega Terminal in Dubai is capable of processing 1.2 million tons of cargo a year, and can handle all types of cargo from one central location. Uniquely placed, both geographically and strategically, CMT offers one of the simplest ways to connect businesses in Australia to the rest of the world.