THE Dube TradePort Cargo Terminal celebrated its most significant milestone yet when its first international freighter - a giant Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-400F aircraft - touched down at the new facility on Sunday.

A beaming Ahmed Bassa, Dube TradePort's aeronautical project executive, said the arrival officially marked the dawn of a new era for international air-trade through KwaZulu-Natal and the African region.

It comes less than two months since the opening on May 1 of the R8 billion Dube TradePort, home of the new King Shaka airport. Dube TradePort has bold ambitions to entrench itself as Africa's global gateway for trade, by becoming a key player in the movement of international cargo.

"This freighter operation was a milestone for Emirates SkyCargo and its partners, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Dube TradePort, as it was the first international commercial freighter service into the new King Shaka International Airport," said Ricky Isaac, Emirates' cargo manager for Durban.

"The increased capacity of the new airport and cargo terminal bodes well for the future expansion of the air freight industry in KwaZulu-Natal, and Emirates SkyCargo looks forward to playing an integral part of this growth," he said.

According to Bassa, Emirates SkyCargo's 117-ton-capacity Boeing 747-400F is one of the most advanced long-range freighters in the world.

"Its oversized side door, nose door and spacious cargo hold enable the carriage of outsized shipments, while its independently controlled air-conditioned zones safely ensure the transport of temperature-sensitive goods with specialist storage requirements," he said.

"The arrival of this freighter... vindicates our efforts and belief that the development of this airport, Dube TradePort and its support infrastructure has been a good investment for growing trade in our province," said Bassa.

"The Dube TradePort Cargo Terminal hosts an impressive array of technologies and support systems to ensure KZN reconnects with the international trade arena and boasts an infrastructure that meets both domestic and international freight needs. The terminal is the first in the world to use one air handler, leading French-based international cargo company Worldwide Flight Services, thereby increasing security and control at the terminal.

"State-of-the-art services provided at Dube TradePort include trading facilities which are designed to recapture international freight previously rerouted through Joburg's OR Tambo International Airport and to actively generate new investment in future air-freight related commerce," Bassa added.

"Additional commercial support facilities at Dube TradePort will include office parks, hotels and specialist conference venues. Agricultural export services will include facilities for import and export of high-yield, time-sensitive horticultural produce.

"The facility will also boast information technology infrastructure that ensures world-class transport, security and freight enabling services," said Bassa.

Mike Stewart, chief operating officer of WFS South Africa, said the landing of the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-400F was a major milestone because it represented the very first wide-body commercial freighter aircraft flying into King Shaka airport.

"We at WFS South Africa hope this will be just the first of many similar freighter operations we will be handling over the coming months," Stewart said.

Said Bassa: "The focus on vital quality infrastructure provisions and service delivery excellence at Dube TradePort has propelled KwaZulu-Natal's international air-freight positioning into the world market.

"With the arrival of the first Emirates SkyCargo freighter, KwaZulu-Natal will be introduced to a future rich with international trade and commerce."

It is unclear what cargo was brought into Durban on the Emirates SkyCargo jumbo, but it was believed to be World Cup merchandise.

June 23, 2010 Edition 1

Suren Naidoo