After becoming the first carrier in the Middle East to gain IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification for pharmaceutical logistics, Etihad said the PharmaLife launch “highlights Etihad Cargo’s prioritization of the pharma and healthcare sectors. The specialized product will serve the anticipated global demand for swift and secure shipment services ahead of a COVID-19 vaccine”.

Andre Blech, Head of Operations and Service Delivery at Etihad Cargo, commented: “The pandemic prompted a reassessment of our top-level services to ensure we can address the specific requirements for shipping high volumes of in-demand product in very short timescales,” explained. To avoid last-minute pressure once a vaccine is approved, we have established a dedicated COVID-19 vaccines workforce composed of a Steering Committee and a Working Group to manage all anticipated elements.”

Available at 54 stations on the Etihad network, PharmaLife will focus on key gateways including Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Chicago, Paris, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hyderabad, London, Milan, Melbourne, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

The Pharma Life offering is hallmarked by two tailor-made, sector-specific shipment solutions: global lease Active and Hybrid containers with Pharma Life Active solutions for a premium, sensitive products. Pharma Life Passive Solutions will provide the right equipment and right storage conditions with three specific temperature ranges (+2° to +25°, +2° to +8°, and +15° to +25°).

“Pharma Life will enhance the already available industry-leading services and features offered by Etihad Cargo,” the airline said. “As part of the roll out, Etihad Cargo is currently reviewing the refurbishment of a dedicated pharmaceutical handling facility to accommodate increased capacity at its hub in Abu Dhabi, as well as further thermal covers, and enhanced capabilities at origin stations based on pharma trade lanes and specific requests.

“Pharma shipments are a key part of the global flow where every stakeholder has a responsibility to maintain product integrity,” said Blech. “Our intention is to continuously expand our Pharma trade lanes, which requires collaboration with industry partners. By working with equipment suppliers, general handling agents, and associations, we can share knowledge and build trust across the industry that will result in the highest quality industry standard for sustainable quality that our customers deserve.

“A core part of this is through working with our GHAs to offer cool dollies or thermo trucks for key destinations; dependent upon viability, we could look into an advanced lease model for this kind of equipment as currently, due to tarmac constraints, cool dollies and thermo trucks are quite rare and expensive,” added Blech.

Ref: www.lloydsloadinglist.com/