IAG Cargo inks rental deal with va-Q-tec for temperature-controlled containers

IAG Cargo, the freight operations wing of the joint Anglo-Spanish carrier enterprise, has signed a global container rental deal with thermal packaging provider va-Q-tec.
As a result, IAG Cargo will be able to use va-Q-tec’s va-Q-tainers to transport temperature-sensitive freight.
va-Q-tainers offer control over six different temperature ranges, from -70°C to +25°C, in five container sizes. They will be will used by IAG Cargo as an advanced passive shipping option that requires no external energy input.
The units make use of phase change materials (thermal energy storage components that absorb and store thermal energy during a freezing or heating process without considerably changing their temperature) to ensure a consistent temperature during shipment.
“This agreement offers our customers wanting to ship temperature sensitive goods an excellent and cost efficient solution,” enthused Alan Dorling, global head, pharmaceuticals and life sciences at IAG Cargo.
“With consistent year on year growth in Constant Climate shipments, we are continually investing in innovative customer solutions that match our own high standards; as such we are fully confident that this agreement will be welcomed by customers looking to ship pharmaceuticals across the globe,” he added.
Dominic Hyde, va-Q-tec’s managing director, remarked: “The broad network offered by IAG Cargo and the integrated va-Q-tainer serviced rental offer will provide pharma shippers with a reliable door-to-door temperature-controlled solution that meets challenging requirements for global health care cold chains.”
Just a week ago, IAG Cargo unveiled plans to build a new £55m facility for premium freight and pharma at its London Heathrow site in response to growth in its services for high-value cargo.
The new terminal, to be called New Premia, will double the size of the existing 10-year-old Premia building and will offer a larger dedicated constant climate centre for pharmaceuticals.
Va-Q-tec has also won new customers elsewhere. In July, it was confirmed that Italian carrier Alitalia had signed an agreement with the company to rent its passive containers.
Pharma shippers and forwarders can order the service directly through the Italian airline.