Emirates SkyCargo goes green in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Dubai-based airline Emirates, recently uplifted its first e-freight consignments from Kolkata to Dubai. The airline shipped about 3,000 kg of fresh vegetables to Dubai completely eliminating the aspects of printing airway bills, handling and processing costs.

The airline provides over 150 tonnes of cargo capacity on a weekly basis with 12 flights from Kolkata to Dubai.

Incidentally, e-freight tool allows for most cargo processes to be done electronically and eliminating costs of paper printing, handling and processing.

The move by Emirates SkyCargo as well as several other airlines globally following the International Air Transport Association (IATA) fixing 2014 as the deadline to totally erase paper from air cargo supply chain, bring about greater transparency and shorten transportation time. IATA has estimated that about $4.9 billion of industry savings could be generated and about 7,800 tonnes of paper documents eliminated annually using the e-freight corridor.

Keki Patel, cargo manager, India & Nepal, Emirates Airline, said, e-freight increases manpower productivity and enables customs and other stake-holders to work with advanced information to facilitate expedient import clearance and control.

"It also expedites cargo handling therefore offering superior and faster transactions. it also aims to reduce the carbon footprint and contribute to a greener world. It also aims to reduce the carbon foot-print and contribute to a greener world. In view of environment conservation, e-freight is surely the way to go!," he added.