Dubai halts cargo imports for six days to clear backlog
Dubai will restrict cargo imports for six days next week in a bid to clear a backlog caused by “extraordinarily high” volumes of shipments.
Dnata, the cargo handling branch of government-owned airline group Emirates, told the FT that restrictions would include cargo in transit to other destinations in the UAE with only certain essential items exempted from the ban.
“We are currently working around the clock to clear the backlog of unprocessed cargo at Dubai International Airport, caused by extraordinarily high volumes of inbound cargo to Dubai, and will endeavour to resume normal operations at the earliest,” Dnata said in comments to the Financial Times.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during this unprecedented time,” the company added.
It comes as Emirates Airline warned that high passenger numbers were also causing delays at Dubai’s main airport with customers advised to arrive four hours early due to travel disruption.
Dnata blamed the cargo import ban on staff shortages and confirmed that new staff are being trained to help deal with the surging workload.
The news is a sign of ongoing supply chain strife. Covid-19 restrictions have also disrupted shipping with port staffs’ work flows at the globe’s major shipping hubs, particularly in Asia, with overstretched employees struggling to process the same volume of orders.
This has contributed to a backlog of crates and lengthened delivery times at ports in the UK, US, Europe and, most notably, in Asia, the world’s trading linchpin.
Read more: Concerns grow over impact of energy prices and supply chain issues on profit margins
Dubai halts cargo imports for six days to clear backlog
Dubai will restrict cargo imports for six days next week in a bid to clear a backlog caused by “extraordinarily high” volumes of shipments.
Dnata, the cargo handling company of government-owned airline group Emirates, told the FT that restrictions would include cargo in transit to other destinations in the UAE with only certain essential items exempted from the ban.
“We are currently working around the clock to clear the backlog of unprocessed cargo at Dubai International Airport, caused by extraordinarily high volumes of inbound cargo to Dubai, and will endeavour to resume normal operations at the earliest,” Dnata said in comments to the Financial Times.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during this unprecedented time,” the company added.
It comes as Emirates Airline warned that high passenger numbers were also causing delays at Dubai’s main airport with customers advised to arrive four hours early due to travel disruption. Today is expected to be the busiest day for the airline as customers take flights ahead of the October half term.
Logistics executives blamed the cargo bottleneck on staff shortages and said new staff are being trained brought in to deal with the surging workload.
The news is a sign of ongoing supply chain strife. Covid-19 restrictions have also disrupted shipping with port staffs’ work flows at the globe’s major shipping hubs, particularly in Asia, with overstretched employees struggling to process the same volume of orders.
This has contributed to a backlog of crates and lengthened delivery times at ports in the UK, US, Europe and, most notably, in Asia, the world’s trading linchpin.
Read more: Concerns grow over impact of energy prices and supply chain issues on profit margins