US-based global supply chain provider, United Parcel Service (UPS), has announced that it plans to establish a joint venture (JV) with China's SF Airlines (O3, Shenzhen), giving it access to SF's extensive Chinese network.

"This joint venture will support products that provide competitive benefits to our Chinese customers who trade or seek to trade internationally," said Ross McCullough, President of UPS Asia Pacific. "Our combined efforts will result in new logistics products and services to simplify and accelerate B2B and B2C customers' cross-border trade."

SF Airlines' network extends to thirty-six destinations across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Cambodia using an all-Boeing fleet of thirty-eight aircraft comprising: thirteen B737-300(F)s, three B737-400(F)s, seventeen B757-200(PF)s, and five B767-300Fs.

Alan Wong, Group Vice President of SF, said that it was 'imperative' that the two cargo giants collaborate. "Together, we aim to bring greater competitive advantages to our customers in China, to succeed globally," he said.

Specialist news site Cargo Facts speculates that the JV will likely see SF utilising UPS' fleet of widebody aircraft on Trans-Pacific routes.

The cooperative project is subject to regulatory approval.