Fuselage shipping

This month, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will ship the first aft fuselage panel for the 777 freighter to Boeing.

The panel for the freighter will initially be transported from the Hiroshima Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture to Kobe Port. From there it will be shipped to Boeing's Everett plant near Seattle, Washington, where Boeing assembles all 777 models.

The high-capacity, twin-engine 777 freighter itself is based on the 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliner passenger aeroplane. It will be capable of flying 9,045 kilometers (4,885 nautical miles) and have a payload capability of more than 226,000 pounds (103 metric tons), making it the world's longest-range twin-engine freighter.

To date, Boeing has received orders for 80 units of the 777 freighter from 11 customers, including launch customer Air France, cargo carriers and leasing operators.

The 777 freighter program is Boeing's response to strong demand from cargo operators around the world for a long-range, high-capacity freighter. The first 777 freighter is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of this year.