Siemens Logistics and Airport Solutions (SLAS) 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.

Emirates Divisional cargo senior vice president Nabil Sultan 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 of handling a throughput of 700,000t per year.

Later on, throughput capacity will increase by an additional 300,000t. The new terminal’s total building ground area is 68,000m².

Housed in a single-storey building, the MHS is designed to maximise the terminal’s operational performance. This includes the optimisation of cargo processes, including cycle times, a cargo tracking capability, direct build-up / breakdown handling, quick transit to and from airside, and cargo screening.

The air cargo MHS is divided into specific areas for cargo storage and handling. It consists of dedicated subsystems, such as acceptance, bypass, and staging, and systems for transferring goods directly with only short-term storage (cross-dock systems) for inbound and 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 unit load device (ULD) 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 transferral from airside to landside and vice versa. Special cargo is processed and stored in a perishable area more than 16,000m² in size. This large, air-conditioned area includes cold and freezer rooms, as well as individual cooling units with various temperature zones.

A state-of-the-art cargo handling IT system, Cargo Compact from SLAS, controls the highly automated systems and equipment. It ensures the highest possible throughput of freight and the shortest possible turn-around times for airplanes and trucks.

At Emirates’ Cargo Mega Terminal (CMT) at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the volume of belly freight cargo (freight transported in passenger planes) continues to grow rapidly. This is due to Emirates’ plans to further expand its passenger aircraft fleet.

Siemens was contracted to enhance cargo processing capacities at CMT and improve cross-traffic handling between CMT and DWC.

The company implemented the East Cross Dock facility at Dubai International, allowing simultaneous start-up with the Emirates SkyCargo facilities at Dubai World Central.

CMT expansion is currently progressing to increase its capacities to handle 1.6m tonnes per year, creating further operational benefits for Emirates SkyCargo.

The facility will receive an upgrade to the latest automation features and IT process solutions from SLAS, followed by the addition of a further processing module to the facility.