Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, will launch operations between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with the launch of a daily passenger service on June 4.

The cargo service will use the 240-tonne weekly belly-hold capacity of the aircraft to stimulate trade between Ho Chi Minh City, its Dubai hub and more than 120 other destinations.

Ho Chi Minh City will become the 14th Emirates SkyCargo point in the Far East, strengthening its commitment to the region, with major exporters - such as Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea – already operating on Emirates SkyCargo trade lanes to points throughout Europe and Mena.

Emirates SkyCargo will make use of the 17-tonne cargo hold of the wide-body Airbus 330-200 operating on the route.

From October 28, the trade will receive another boost when a Boeing 777-300ER takes over, providing an additional 80 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.

“Vietnam is enjoying a period of growth and by facilitating international trade with businesses in the 73 countries we operate to, Emirates SkyCargo looks forward to helping it build on this momentum and become even stronger,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president Cargo.

“With trading powerhouses like Hong Kong and China, the Far East is integral to our business and we are proud to be expanding our services in the region further, with the addition of daily flights from Vietnam’s commercial capital.

“Ho Chi Minh City is just one of 12 destinations added to our network in 2012 and as each point comes online, new trade lanes are created, a trend which will only continue as we take delivery of the 230-plus aircraft we have on order.

“Having used partner carriers to transport freight from Vietnam since 2005, we understand the market and needs of customers. Many more will now be able to take advantage of Dubai’s tremendous geographic location and benefit from our world-class services,” added Menen.

According to the UAE Embassy in Vietnam, the UAE is one of its major trading partners in the Middle East, with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding $1.2 billion in 2011.

Goods - including smartphones, tablets, printers, garments, sportswear and shoes, as well as perishables - such as seafood, coffee, rice and vegetables - are expected to be transported out of Vietnam.  Commodities going in the other direction will include electronics, machinery, steel and petroleum products. – TradeArabia News Service