TIACA and Pharma.Aero partner to deliver guidance on vaccine transportation

TIACA and Pharma.Aero have teamed up to deliver guidance for the air cargo industry on the transportation of Covid-19 vaccines.

Developed in four packages through a joint working group, the guidance will ensure feedback from all stakeholders in the supply chain of air cargo and pharmaceuticals.

The working group will consist of members from both organisations — TIACA and Pharma.Aero — as well as various other international organisations.

The results will be shared with the industry through white papers and webinars in later stages of the programme, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

“The aim of this programme is to provide the air cargo industry with more clarity of the demands, expectations and quality supply chain requirements, including but not restricted to critical trade lanes, air cargo capacity, handling and storage, track and trace requirements, for the transportation of the vaccines,” TIACA said in a statement.

“At the same time, shippers will gain more understanding about the capabilities of the various logistics players. This will ensure that once the vaccine is available in the market, the air cargo industry will be ready to respond to the needs of the shippers and transport vaccines in optimal conditions to all corners of the globe.”

Neel Jones Shah, TIACA board member and global head of airfreight at Flexport, commented: “Covid-19 vaccine delivery will be one of the biggest logistical challenges in modern history. No one company can own the end-to-end vaccine supply chain.

“I’m proud to be a member of the TIACA and Pharma.Aero working group, which is doing the critical work of connecting all vaccine supply chain stakeholders to foster effective communication and collaboration. We need to start working together now to ensure the industry is prepared when the time comes.”

Nathan De Valck, chairman of Pharma.Aero, added: “Setting up reliable end-to-end air transportation for pharma shippers is part of the vision and mission of Pharma.Aero. Amongst our members i.e. life sciences and pharmaceutical shippers, certified airport communities and air cargo operators, we have a track record of project-based collaboration.

“As a result, Pharma.Aero is well-positioned to make a valuable contribution in preparing the air cargo industry for this immense challenge.”