Schiphol’s pharma cargo community collaborates for Covid-19 vaccine logistics

September 23, 2020: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Pharma Cargo Community is collaborating to ensure the temperature-controlled supply chain is ready for the safe and efficient transportation of Covid-19 vaccines.

A taskforce led by Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN), Schiphol Cargo and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, including shippers, pharma producers, forwarders, airlines, ground handlers and trucking companies have met to kick start work on up to four possible ‘vaccine scenarios’, based on different temperature ranges.

Yesterday, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo announced the construction of a brand-new climate-cool room at its Schiphol Pharma Hub, a new step in preparation for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, which will be handled by a dedicated task force.

The vaccine readiness group will host a round table on September 29, open to the entire Schiphol Cargo Community, as well as Dutch Customs and the Dutch ministry of health, to discuss methods of mapping capacity, from ground handlers to airlines, as well as back-up solutions.

“We have a strong pharma and air cargo community at Schiphol, we know what we are talking about, and we will be ready for what is coming,” said Maarten van As, managing director, ACN.

“As an industry interest group, part of the supply chain, we have a social responsibility to participate and do our part in the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine – it is not just about the Netherlands, it is about getting the vaccine distributed at speed to the world.

“Many modernised countries will benefit from local production centres. The air freight industry will need to play a role for those countries which have to receive the vaccines, antibodies, or drugs from afar.”

Ferry van der Ent, director of business development, Schiphol Cargo, said, “The most important thing is to provide a safe, secure, and reliable trade lane, especially when there is a peak in demand, so that we can guarantee the vaccines are tamper-free, with no temperature excursions and handled properly.”

“We are now focusing on a fast and swift handling process on the tarmac, getting the vaccines as soon as possible to the end-customer via the distribution channels, rather than storing them at the airport. As a back-up option we have to be prepared to collaborate across all modes and with everyone in the supply chain and explore all options. That could mean collaborating with other good distribution practices (GDP) centres and facilities and connecting with our colleagues in ocean, for example at the nearby Amsterdam and Rotterdam harbours where they have GDP-certified cooling areas and lots of capacity.”

Under the initiative, the community will continue to work closely with customs and governmental bodies to ensure faster customs release and priority customs checks.