CSS to launch freight services to Baghdad

Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS), a leading shipping and freight operator in the Gulf, will start services to Baghdad from April 15.

James Skariah, CSS corporate communications manager, told Gulf News that his company has tied up with Canadian air charter operator Sky Link to launch a twice-weekly freighter service from Dubai to Baghdad.

"Initially, we will operate Russian-made Ilyushin and Antonov aircraft, with a payload capacity of 18 tonnes. This will give local traders and freighters a fast and easy way to send their goods to Iraq, as a result of the tie-up between CSS and Skylink. We expect the freight movement to go up."

He said the freight rates will be much cheaper than the courier operators used for emergency supplies.

Any type of cargo can be sent, and there will also be door deliveries to other cities in Iraq. The company has also made special arrangements to provide services to Basra Airport, in addition to their ocean freight services.

"However, our service will cover all types of dry bulk shipments. We can increase the frequency once demand goes up," he added.

Recognised as one of the top integrated freight forwarding solution providers in the region, CSS is fully geared to serve its customers using air, sea and land options for transporting shipments to Iraq.

"CSS has been making steady headway into countries like Afghanistan and Iraq, providing their core expertise in the areas of freight forwarding across varied clientele," he said.

"These countries have, in the recent past, become the focus of activities with large multinational organisations securing a number of long term and short term projects.

"The demand for moving project cargos and other essentials have certainly become a necessity and this demand has enabled a number of freight forwarding companies to extend their services to these countries."