United becomes first US carrier to offer SkyCell containers for pharma

United Cargo will become the first US carrier to lease and transport the temperature-sensitive containers manufactured by SkyCell.

United said that the SkyCell boxes have a “highly secure and efficient design” that features “patented insulation and a special rechargeable cooling technology”.

Each container is equipped with  Internet of Things (IoT) sensors that connect to SkyCell’s cloud-based, blockchain-encrypted software. These sensors monitor temperature, humidity and other factors.

A recent year-long external audit found temperature excursions in a “scant” .01 percent of shipments transported in SkyCell’s containers, the airline said.

The containers will be offered through United’s TempControl service.

“TempControl’s transport of vaccines and other high-value biopharmaceutical shipments is increasing rapidly,” said Jan Krems, President of United Cargo.

“Extremely precise, long-duration temperature control is required for the safe transport of these highly sensitive shipments. That’s why we’re very excited to launch this partnership.

“Combining the proven reliability and high performance of SkyCell’s containers with TempControl’s extensive network and relentless focus on control and integrity creates the level of quality service today’s health care shippers demand.”

Richard Ettl, CEO of SkyCell, added: “SkyCell is excited to partner with United to increase the availability of SkyCell containers for the U.S. pharma industry.

“United and SkyCell share the goal of eliminating temperature excursions and reducing the CO2 footprint in global pharma transportation.”