Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates (EK, Dubai International), has signed an MoU with Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd. (Cainiao), the logistics arm of Chinese online retail giant Alibaba Group, to jointly facilitate the delivery of cross-border parcels using Dubai as a transit hub.
A joint statement said the agreement would allow both parties to leverage each other’s strengths in cross-border e-commerce trade and airline cargo operations. It will also support Cainiao’s broader efforts to offer enhanced customer experience. Cainiao recently unveiled plans to develop six global hubs in six cities around the globe as part of plans to deliver anywhere in China within 24 hours, and across the globe within 72 hours. Aside from Dubai, the other five hub cities include Hong Kong International (in partnership with Turkish Airlines), Hangzhou, Kuala Lumpur International, Liège, and Moscow.
Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo and Cainiao will work closely to manage e-Commerce shipments in the Middle East and other neighbouring regions through Dubai. Further details of the tie-up will be announced progressively as they are developed by the two parties.
Emirates SkyCargo has been exploring opportunities to collaborate with players in order to offer value-added services over and above cargo capacity between airports, using the strategic advantages of Dubai as a hub.
“With Emirates SkyCargo’s network spread, frequency of flights including close to 50 weekly flights from China, our state-of-the-art hub facilities and the strategic location of Dubai which allows it to serve as an effective logistics hub for the region, we are confident that we will be a strong partner for Cainiao to bring an enhanced experience to their customers in the Middle East and neighbouring regions,” Nabil Sultan, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President (Cargo), said.
Aside from bellyhold capacity on Emirates passenger aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo also operates thirteen B777-Fs and one B747-400(F) (wet-leased from Cargolux (CV, Luxembourg)).
