Emirates invests big in cool chain

Emirates has invested large sums of
money in maintaining the integrity
of the cool chain – with a state-ofthe-
art cool room in Dubai, and the
use of specialised “cool dollies”
for maintaining the temperature of
perishables transfer from cool room
to aircraft.
“Perishables and pharmaceuticals
are the two main drivers of air cargo
globally,” said senior vice-president,
cargo Ram Menen, “with some of the
temperature-sensitive drugs needing
to be carried in Envirotainers –
temperature-controlled containers.
“South Africa is high on the
list of African destinations for
pharmaceuticals, with large amounts,
for example, coming into the country
from India.
“Emirates also takes finished
leather products (like seat covers)
from SA, along with the likes of
specialised engineering tools out of
Durban, and security products (like
bullet-proof vests) from around the
country.
“We’re also not short of cargo on
the incoming routes into Africa, with
electronics, machinery and consumer
products high on the list of imports to
the continent.”
Menen also stressed that there were
quite a few new African destinations
on the Emirates radar. “Our main
problem is we can’t get the aircraft
fast enough,” he added.
“But we’ve just taken delivery of a
brand-new Boeing 777 freighter, with
another one due in February next year.
“Most of our freighter fleet are new
aircraft – being more fuel-efficient
and environmentally friendly aircraft.”
Although the world economy
is currently in turmoil, Menen is
convinced that Africa will remain
comparatively strong – and he
described it as “the frontier of
opportunity”.