Emirates SkyCargo has signed an MoU with Cainiao Network – the logistics arm of the Alibaba Group – to jointly deliver cross-border parcels as the Chinese firm looks to expand its global logistics infrastructure with Dubai as one of its hubs.
The MoU was signed by Emirates divisional senior vice president for cargo, Nabil Sultan, and Cainiao global business general manager, Xiaodong Guan, at Cainiao’s global headquarters in Hangzhou.
Emirates SkyCargo said it is landmark agreement for it and Cainiao to leverage each other’s strengths in cross-border e-commerce trade and airline cargo operations.
The agreement will also support Cainiao’s broader efforts to offer enhanced customer experience. Cainiao recently unveiled plans to develop global hubs in five cities around the globe. Dubai is one of them along with Hangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Liege 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. Both companies said further details of the tie-up will be announced progressively as they are developed by the two parties.
E-commerce is one of the strongest growth areas for the air cargo industry globally. Emirates SkyCargo says it 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.
Sultan said: “The MoU that we have signed today is the first step in what will be a deep and fruitful relationship between Emirates SkyCargo and one of the biggest players in the global e-commerce supply chain.”
He added: “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.”
Cainiao global business general manager, Xiaodong Guan said: “As a key gateway that links Asia and Europe, Dubai is well positioned to help us achieve our goal of 72-hour global delivery. The MoU with Emirates SkyCargo is another milestone to reach this goal.
“We have a strong commitment to Dubai and the neighbouring markets. This fits well with our broader strategy.”
Emirates SkyCargo offers cargo capacity to over 155 global destinations on a widebody fleet of 267 aircraft including 14 freighters – 13 Boeing 777Fs and one B747F.
