Qantas Freight looks to cut perishables export times with new cargo service

Qantas Freight will launch a new direct seasonal freight service from Darwin to Hong Kong, supporting producers in Northern Australia to respond to growing demand from Asia.
The new service – which will be the only direct cargo link between the Northern Territory and Hong Kong – will provide capacity to carry up to 50 tonnes of fresh produce such as chilled meat, seafood, dairy, fruit and vegetables, as well as general cargo.
It will provide local producers with the opportunity to get their products into Asia faster and fresher, potentially extending the shelf life and profitability of quality Australian exports.
Commencing in late August, the weekly Boeing 767-300F service will depart Darwin on Sunday night and arrive in Hong Kong six hours later at 11pm local time.
Qantas Freight chief operating officer, Nick McGlynn, said: "Producers throughout the Northern Territory often find themselves transporting large volumes of perishables via road to the east coast to meet a cargo connection to Asia. This process can take up to five days, which reduces the shelf life of the product when it arrives at its destination.
“Our direct service is a great alternative for freight customers in and around Darwin. It also shows Qantas’s commitment to providing vital connectivity to Northern Australia.”
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