Emirates SkyCargo has shipped its 35,000th tonne of cool chain from its SkyCentral hub at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central.

SkyCentral, which is where Emirates’ freighters have been operating from since it became operational in May 2014, has a 15,000 square metre storage area dedicated to temperature sensitive goods. To keep goods cool, Emirates uses produces including White Cover, a protective skin to shield the cargo and keep it cold, and the Emirates SkyCargo Cool Dolly, to transport cargo from the aircraft to cool storage areas at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees centigrade.

Since opening, SkyCentral has shipped goods including pharmaceuticals, fresh fruit and vegetables, and seafood. This includes almost 6,000 tonnes of seafood such as Skipjack Tuna from the Maldives and American Lobster from Boston (US).

The facility, which handles about 700,000 tonnes of cargo per annum, was officially inaugurated on 10 November by Emirates Airline and Group chief executive and chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Emirates SkyCentral is located 77 kilometres from Dubai International Airport and the airline is using a bonded trucking service to move goods between the two airports.