United Cargo signs pharma container rental deal with va-Q-tec

United Cargo has signed a global rental agreement with va-Q-tec, a provider of temperature controlled containers used to transport pharmaceuticals in the air cargo cool chain.
The airfreight arm of United Airlines is the first North American carrier to announce the availability of va-Q-tainer rentals directly through the airline and plans an October launch for the new rentals.
The agreement was signed by va-Q-tec managing director Dominic Hyde and United Cargo president Jan Krems (pictured) at a ceremony in Houston, Texas.
United Cargo’s TempControl customers may choose from five sizes of va-Q-tainer containers: Half Euro, Eurox, USx, XLx and TWINx. TWINx is the newest va-Q-tainer unit and can accommodate two US pallets inside.
All rentals will be handled by United Cargo’s centralised 24/7 Control Tower team who manage every process throughout the life cycle of each temperature-controlled shipment.
In May this year, European carrier Finnair signed a similar agreement with va-Q-tec, covering the rental of temperature controlled containers.
Krisha Kucharski, tempcontrol product development and marketing manager at United Cargo, said: “We’re very excited to add the latest in passive packaging to our suite of rental units. These va-Q- tainer units allow us to transport shipments at temperatures from -50 °C up to +25 °C, the widest range we have ever offered our customers.
“As the bio-pharma transport industry expands into new markets, these units will enable us to better utilize our narrow-body aircraft and reach more destinations more quickly.”
Said Hyde: “United Cargo is a great partner for va-Q-tec, enabling one-way rentals of va-Q-tainer containers for pharmaceuticals worldwide.
“Combining va-Q-tec’s wide range of container sizes and temperature ranges with United Cargo’s expertise in temperature- controlled transport provides shippers with a winning combination of reliable temperature- controlled containers, global access and 24/7 service.”