Lufthansa Cargo has started transporting shipments of live animals, valuable cargo, airmail and temperature-sensitive goods in separate units in a bid to expand its market position.

To achieve this, the company is setting up new competence centres which will give its customers access to specialist teams who will support them along the entire supply chain and provide tailor-made solutions.

In the airmail segment, Lufthansa Cargo co-operates closely with the Airmail Centre Frankfurt GmbH (ACF), in which the cargo airline has a 40 per cent stake. The bulk of Lufthansa Cargo's mail business is transacted via the ACF, which is said to be the most modern and efficient airmail handling facility in Europe. In 2006, the Lufthansa cargo subsidiary transported more than 40,000 tonnes of airmail worldwide for about 200 postal companies, a company statement said.

Each year, the airline carries thousands of live animals in special containers aboard its MD-11 freighters and in the bellyholds of Lufthansa's passenger aircraft. In addition to live bait, ornamental fish and chicks, Lufthansa Cargo annually transports more than 10,000 household pets and 1,300 horses.