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”.