Emirates targets Senegal seafood cargo trade

The Dubai-based carrier's freight division, Emirates SkyCargo, expects to transport up to 3,500 tonnes of seafood a year in the belly-hold of the A340-300 which will be serving Dakar five times a week.

Fresh produce such as lobster, shrimp and sea bream will be landing in supermarkets and restaurants throughout the UAE and the rest of the GCC, as well as various destinations across the Emirates network, including Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Paris and Beirut.

And as the most western city on the African mainland, Dakar is a gateway for trans-Atlantic and European trade, meaning other produce - such as fruit and vegetables from Senegal and neighbouring countries - will also be transported to Dubai and beyond.

Ram Menen, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, said:

"With such a huge demand for fresh fish across our network, Dakar is a real catch for Emirates SkyCargo. Senegal has a reputation for fantastic seafood and Emirates is delighted that, as well as contributing to the development of the fishing industry, more and more people will be able to experience this wonderful taste of Africa."

"With Dakar the 19th African destination on our network, trade from the continent is playing an increasingly important role in our operation. This new trade route will create further opportunity for growth and strengthen our African ties, with Senegal now able to establish trade links with the UAE and other countries across our global network," Ram added.

Emirates' role is not confined to just exporting fish and other fresh foods. Coming into Dakar on each flight, the airline will be transporting 65 tonnes of goods a week from various points on its network of more than 100 destinations, including oil industry equipment from the UAE; textiles from Asia, electronics from the East Asia and Europe; and a number of products and garments from India.

Trade between the UAE and Senegal, excluding oil industry volumes, grew by 90% - from Dhs52m ($14.2m) to Dhs 504m ($137.2m) - between 2003 and 2008. This upward trend continues with the latest available figures - Dhs 675m ($183.8m) - indicating the potential of the new trade route.

Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Ambassador ,General Director of International Cooperation said, "According to the Senegalese Authority, the direct Emirates flight to the Middle East will be an invaluable asset as it will develop Senegal's export industry. Dakar is a gateway to central Africa so this new trade link will not only bolster economic ties with the UAE, but also stimulate traffic between Senegal and countries throughout the continent. While our fishing industry will be the immediate beneficiary, many other businesses will reap rewards in the long term. Once established, this route will consolidate our position as a trade hub between Africa and the rest of the world."

Emirates will fly non-stop to Dakar five times a week every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Emirates Flight 797 will depart Dubai at 09:55 and touch down at Dakar's Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport at 16:00hrs the same day.

The return flight departs Dakar at 17:40, arriving in Dubai at 07:15 the following morning. The service connects seamlessly to key centres within the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East.

Senegal is one of five new Emirates routes to be launch in 2010, following Tokyo, Amsterdam, Prague and Madrid, and will take the airline's total number of destinations to 105.