Siemens Logistics and Airport Solutions has equipped the new cargo terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World Central (DWC), with a state-of-the-art material handling system (MHS).

The new home of Emirates SkyCargo's freighter fleet was successfully started up in several phases, said a statement.

Nail Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo, said: ”Our partnership with Siemens is a testimony to our commitment to create and deliver industry-leading air cargo solutions.

"We develop constantly the nuances of our services and our innovative products – ensuring that we remain creative and efficient. The new MHS will not only help us meet our customers' needs but enhance SkyCargo's overall operational performance through providing top solutions also in niche markets."

In its initial implementation stage, the new cargo terminal is capable to handle a throughput of 700,000 tonnes per year. Later on throughput capacity will increase by additional 300,000 tons.

The new terminal's total building ground area is 68,000 square meters. The MHS housed in a single-leveled building has been designed to maximise the terminal operational performance.

It includes the optimisation of cargo processes including cycle times, a cargo tracking capability, direct build-up/breakdown handling, quick transit to and from airside as well as cargo screening.

The air cargo MHS has been divided into specific areas for cargo storage and handling. It consists of dedicated subsystems such as acceptance, bypass, staging and systems for transferring goods directly with only short-term storage (cross-dock systems) for inbound as well as for outbound flow. Build up and breakdown areas are equipped with fixed and flexible workstations.

A multilevel storage system has a capacity of more than 800 ULD (unit load device) positions. Bulk cargo can be stored in a very narrow aisle (VNA) system in more than 3,000 positions.

Direct cross dock lanes are provided to ensure quick cargo transferring from airside to landside and vice versa. Special cargo is processed and stored in a perishable area of over 16,000 sq m. This large air-conditioned area includes cold and freezer rooms as well as individual cooling units with various temperature zones.

The cargo handling IT system ‘Cargo Compact’ from Siemens Logistics and Airport Solutions controls the highly automated systems and equipment.

It will ensure the highest possible throughput of the freight and the shortest possible turn-around times for airplanes and trucks. - TradeArabia News Service