Yusen opens Schiphol pharma hub

Yusen Logistics has opened a dedicated pharmaceuticals gateway at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.
It represents the official launch of the Japan-based logistic player’s global pharma airfreight service, which is compliant with the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) protocol.
Hiromitsu Kuramoto, president of Yusen Logistics, speaking at the opening ceremony in the Netherlands, said: “This opening represents the next step in the realisation of our global healthcare strategy, with this strategic European operation at its very heart.
“Yusen Logistics Europe is playing an outstanding and important role in leading our global business in this sector.”
He added: “We shall work to support and maintain our strong relationships with our pharmaceutical manufacturer customers into the future, as they continue to develop ever more sophisticated products…we never forget that at the end of the supply chain, there is a patient.”
Bart Pouwels, director business development at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Cargo, commented: “Schiphol’s global network, frequency of service, choice of carrier, streamlined handling processes and supportive Customs are all part of its unique pharma offering.Yusen is now positioned to take full advantage of these factors in developing its global pharma product.”
The operation links Yusen Logistics’ Antwerp import/export consolidation centre and European central warehouse (EDC) with its Schiphol air operations, to form a multi-modal hub. This is managed from a single ‘control tower’, manned by a UK-based international team linked to Yusen Logistics’ offices around the world.
Said Yusen: “Customers can call off full or part load consignments for movement by air, sea or road through Yusen Logistics European Pharmaceutical Superhighway.
“The European Pharmaceutical Superhighway is already contracted to carry over 1.6m pallets this year, providing shared and single use solutions to highly complex supply chain requirements for our customers.”
The service is dedicated solely to the stringent requirements of the pharma and healthcare industry, with over 50,000 delivery points in Europe alone. Yusen is currently making 20,000 deliveries per week across 36 countries.  
Picture caption Left to Right: Etienne Vesseur, Branch Manager Yusen Logistics Schiphol, Ian Veitch, CRO Yusen Logistics Europe, Hiromitsu Kuramoto, President Yusen Logistics, Piet Boogaard, Managing Director Yusen Logistics Benelux, Bart Pouwels, Director Business Development Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Cargo
Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals Air Cargo Conference, December, 2015, Lancaster London Hotel, London, UK