ID :
73879
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 16:44
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https://oananews.org//node/73879
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Minimal drop in cargo volumes at Dubai airport
Dubai, Aug 5, 2009 (WAM)- Even as the global cargo industry suffers from a sharp decline due to the economic downturn, Dubai International has recorded only a small decline of 0.76 per cent for the first six months of this year. And, it is likely to end the year on the same levels as last year, a senior executive of Dubai Airports said. Dubai International is the third busiest cargo airport in the world, according to Airports Council International.
In the first half of 2009, the airport moved 874,828 tonnes of cargo, recording a year-on-year fall of 0.76 per cent. In 2008, Dubai International handled 1.83 million tonnes of freight, up 9.38 per cent from a year earlier despite the global economic downturn.
"We record an increase one month and a decrease in another. At the end of the year, I expect the total air cargo handled to be between 1.7 to 18 million tonnes, almost the same tonnage [1.8 million tonnes' that Dubai handled last year," Ali Al Jallaf, Vice-President, Cargo Unit, Dubai Airports, told Emirates Business. He said though many sectors such as the real estate and construction are down, there is trading activity taking place in Dubai, which has resulted in the smaller declines for the cargo industry.
"Dubai is like a shopping mall that offers products from different countries. It is also a large wholesale market that caters to traders from within this region and Africa," Al Jallaf said.
He said it is easier for them to come to Dubai than going to a source market such as China, where the consignments should be larger. Another reason to come to Dubai is the choice of products from different countries available here.
"A lot of cargo for Africa goes by air as many of the African countries don't have sea access and the road network is bad. So they rather pay more and feel safe," Al Jallaf said, adding that a worldwide shift to smaller consignments from large shipments by buyers will benefit air cargo industry.
"Earlier, they were ordering seven to 10 containers and storing the products in warehouses," he said. Now because of the financial crisis most traders are ordering smaller quantities and are bringing the consignments in by air, Al Jallaf said. "So air cargo has benefited from these smaller consignments."
He said since the consignments are smaller, they are cleared faster and there is no requirement for warehousing though warehousing is more predominant in this region than in the US or Europe.
Almost 60 to 70 per cent of the total cargo handled at Dubai International is trans-shipment cargo, said Al Jallaf. "Dubai offers a lot of flexibility to shippers as it is Emirates' hub and, therefore, cargo can be shipped to any part of the world," he said.
With Dubai International having a total cargo handling capacity of 2.6 million tonnes, Jallaf said the turnaround time is 90 minutes and transfer time is six hours for full container load movement between the quayside at Port Rashid or Jebel Ali and the apron at Dubai Cargo Village.
In the first half of 2009, the airport moved 874,828 tonnes of cargo, recording a year-on-year fall of 0.76 per cent. In 2008, Dubai International handled 1.83 million tonnes of freight, up 9.38 per cent from a year earlier despite the global economic downturn.
"We record an increase one month and a decrease in another. At the end of the year, I expect the total air cargo handled to be between 1.7 to 18 million tonnes, almost the same tonnage [1.8 million tonnes' that Dubai handled last year," Ali Al Jallaf, Vice-President, Cargo Unit, Dubai Airports, told Emirates Business. He said though many sectors such as the real estate and construction are down, there is trading activity taking place in Dubai, which has resulted in the smaller declines for the cargo industry.
"Dubai is like a shopping mall that offers products from different countries. It is also a large wholesale market that caters to traders from within this region and Africa," Al Jallaf said.
He said it is easier for them to come to Dubai than going to a source market such as China, where the consignments should be larger. Another reason to come to Dubai is the choice of products from different countries available here.
"A lot of cargo for Africa goes by air as many of the African countries don't have sea access and the road network is bad. So they rather pay more and feel safe," Al Jallaf said, adding that a worldwide shift to smaller consignments from large shipments by buyers will benefit air cargo industry.
"Earlier, they were ordering seven to 10 containers and storing the products in warehouses," he said. Now because of the financial crisis most traders are ordering smaller quantities and are bringing the consignments in by air, Al Jallaf said. "So air cargo has benefited from these smaller consignments."
He said since the consignments are smaller, they are cleared faster and there is no requirement for warehousing though warehousing is more predominant in this region than in the US or Europe.
Almost 60 to 70 per cent of the total cargo handled at Dubai International is trans-shipment cargo, said Al Jallaf. "Dubai offers a lot of flexibility to shippers as it is Emirates' hub and, therefore, cargo can be shipped to any part of the world," he said.
With Dubai International having a total cargo handling capacity of 2.6 million tonnes, Jallaf said the turnaround time is 90 minutes and transfer time is six hours for full container load movement between the quayside at Port Rashid or Jebel Ali and the apron at Dubai Cargo Village.
