Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/269668
43 maltatoday, Sunday, 2 march 2014 Events Emirates SkyCargo to start trucking operations between Dubai International and DWC Dreams achieved at the Vodafone Malta Marathon Emirates SkyCargo is gearing up for the move of its freighter fleet to Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) by signing a trucking contract with Dubai-based Allied Transport LLC, an established land transportation services provider within the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Coopera- tion Council (GCC). The five-year contract will see Allied Transport provide road feeder services between Dubai International (DXB) and DWC for Emirates SkyCargo, including the operation of up to a fleet of 45 trucks in the first year. Starting on 1 May, Emirates Sky- Cargo freighters will call Al Mak- toum International Airport their new home. The freighters will be handled exclusively from DWC while passenger fleet belly cargo opera- tions will continue to operate from Dubai International Airport. There- fore, the trucking of cargo between the two airports will form a critical part of the new Emirates SkyCargo operation. Dedicated road feeder services between DXB and DWC for connecting cargo will be introduced to maintain the minimum possible transhipment times between freight- ers and the passenger fleet. For this year Emirates SkyCargo expects to have approximately ten trucks per hour running between DWC and DXB during peak times, with frequency to increase over the coming years. The cargo will be moved via purpose-built truck docks at both airports to achieve quick turn-around. "Emirates SkyCargo's terminal at DWC, the new home of our entire freighter fleet, is a global cargo ter- minal with world-class facilities. The development progress is well on track and we are ready to start opera- tions soon," said Nabil Sultan, Emir- ates Divisional Senior Vice President of Cargo. "Our freighter fleet today already accounts for 35% of Emirates Sky- Cargo's revenue and the new termi- nal is at the core of our growth plans. Looking at the bigger picture, the new infrastructure also has a positive multiplier impact on Dubai as it will create a cargo corridor that connects the Jebel Ali port, DWC and Dubai International Airport," he added. Upon full completion, the terminal will be equipped to handle 700,000 tonnes per year, with the potential for further expansion to reach 1 mil- lion tonnes. The new Emirates Sky- Cargo terminal will feature state-of- the-art technology, including a fully automated material handling system which is one of the world's first to have an automated Unit Load Device (ULD) that enables quick transfer of 6 ULDs simultaneously. In addition, an automated pallet handling sys- tem, advanced storage system, offic- es, workstation areas, modern com- munication and security systems, canteens and other amenities will be installed. The terminal infrastruc- ture also includes 46 truck docks and 80 truck parking spaces, in addition to 12 aircraft stands directly in front of the terminal. Emirates SkyCargo currently oper- ates a freighter fleet of 12 aircraft - 10 Boeing 777Fs and two Boeing 747- 400ERFs – all of which will move to Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport. Operations at the new cargo terminal will com- mence with 250 staff, which will be increased to 500 staff gradually. Emirates flies on a daily schedule from Malta to Dubai. Emirates Sky- Cargo is located on the First Floor at MIA Departures and can be contact- ed on tel. no 2166 0102, or at skycar- gomla@emirates.com. The Vodafone Malta Marathon has been yet another day to remember, especially to those eight lucky win- ners who had won a training pro- gramme in preperation for the half marathon back in November. Malta was painted RED for the day and the atmosphere at the Sliema Ferries fin- ish line was electric. All participants were out in force, at the starting line, along the route and most of all at the finish line. "Crossing the finish line in one piece was one of the best moments of my life," smiled MarieClaire Cre- mona, one of the participants who finished the half marathon. "I have never felt so much happiness and re- lief in all my life and I will treasure that moment forever. I would like to thank Vodafone for giving me the opportunity to be guided by such a professional team. My dream has fi- nally come true!" "The Vodafone Malta Marathon is yet another testimony of what a great company we work for," said Sandro Pisani, Head of Marketing at Voda- fone, who also ran the half marathon. "It is moments like these that makes us feel proud that we are part of Voda- fone and I would like to thank all the persons that were involved in mak- ing the event such a success. Getting to the finish line and celebrating our success of the first Vodafone Malta Marathon together with family and friends and other employees made the pain fade away and all the experi- ence worthwhile." Back in November, Vodafone teamed up with a group of profes- sionals and participants were trained by a number of trainers from Kine- tika Fitness Centre, guided by sports nutritionist Joe Sciberras of NutriS- lim, health Psychologist Dr. Elaine Dutton and geared up with the re- quired clothing by Urban Jungle. San Michel and Powerade also provided drinks to each participant. This year, the Vodafone Malta Marathon saw a record number of participants, with over 3,600 walking, jogging and run- ning the route whilst chasing and achieving their dream! The Ford Focus has become the first non-hybrid petrol family car in Europe to break the 100 g/km CO2 barrier. The Focus 99 g/km, on sale now across Europe, extends to 13 the line-up of vehicles that deliver CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km and is also Ford's most fuel-efficient family petrol car ever – returning 4.3 l/100 km (65.7 mpg)*. Equipped with a revised 100 PS version of Ford's award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the Fo- cus 99 g/km will extend to three the line-up of Focus cars equipped with the 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine – the 2012 and 2013 International Engine of the Year – alongside the 100 PS version that offers 109 g/km CO2 emissions and a 125 PS version that offers 114 g/km CO2. "It was in 2010 that we produced the first Ford Focus ECOnetic die- sel to achieve 99 g/km CO2," said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. "It is quite a feat that in the space of just four years, we have now achieved the same milestone with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine." All 1.0-litre EcoBoost powered models enjoy the benefits of a low inertia turbocharger, split cooling system and direct fuel injection that delivers surprising levels of perform- ance from the three-cylinder engine block. The Focus 99 g/km model also adds Ford ECOnetic Technol- ogy including Auto-Start-Stop, re- vised gearing, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter and Ford EcoMode that supports a more economical and environmentally friendly driving style. Manufactured for Europe in Saar- louis, Germany, the Focus was con- firmed last month as the world's best- selling vehicle nameplate based on Ford's analysis of the Polk registra- tion data for the first nine months of 2013.** Ford also recently launched the zero emissions Focus Electric and the diesel Focus ECOnetic that delivers 3.4 l/100 km (83 mpg) with 88 g/km CO2 emissions. The line-up of 13 Ford vehicles that deliver CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km also includes the zero emissions Focus Electric and four diesel versions of the Focus – as well as seven different versions of the Ford Fiesta. Available as a four-door, five-door hatchback or five-door wagon, the Ford Focus is available with ad- vanced technologies including Ac- tive Park Assist, Active City Stop, Lane Keeping Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Alert and Blind Spot Information System. * The declared fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are speci- fied for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different ve- hicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driv- ing behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Results in MPG also correspond to this European drive cycle and are stated in imperial gallons. The results may differ from fuel economy figures in other regions of the world due to the different drive cycles and regulations used in those markets. ** The Ford Focus is the best-selling vehi- cle nameplate in the world, based on Ford's analysis of the latest Polk global vehicle reg- istration data through the third quarter of 2013. Ford Focus Sets Fuel Efficiency Benchmark in Europe Bank of Valletta has supported the upgrading of the Multi Sensory Dark Room at Inspire's Therapeu- tic Centre in Marsascala. Multi Sensory Theatres are spe- cifically designed environments, which enable people with special needs to enjoy a broad range of sensory experiences for therapy, learning, relaxation and fun. The concept is to create events which focus on particular senses such as touch, vision, sound, smell, taste and movement. Nathan Farrugia, CEO at Inspire described the functions of the Multi Sensory Dark Room to Ken- neth Micallef, Head CEO's Office at Bank of Valletta during a visit to Inspire. "The dark room, as implied by the name, has black ceilings, walls and f looring. This enables im- ages to be presented with maxi- mum definition and with minimal distraction," explained Inspire's CEO. "This space is ideal for vis- ual stimulation through the use of projections, ultraviolet lights and fibre optic sprays." "In our everyday life, we are con- stantly bombarded with too much stimulation, which we learn to manage," continued Mr. Farrugia. "On the other hand, a child suffer- ing from autism encounters prob- lems in managing these inputs. The use of specialist environ- ments, such as a dark room, make it possible for our practitioners to isolate and control the different sensory inputs that the child is subjected to." "It is incredibly rewarding to witness the positive impact that these Multi Sensory Rooms have on children undergoing therapy," commented Kenneth Micallef. "We are convinced that the Bank 's investment in this project will reap its benefits by widing the reach of the therapeutic services provided by Inspire." Zak Micallef, Norman Mifsud, Norman Aquilina, Joelle Azzopardi, Nadine Farrugia, MarieClaire Cremona, Sandro Pisani BOV supports multi- sensory room upgrade