Fabrice Panza Manager Global Cool Chain Solutions ETIHAD CARGO
What have been the main highlights for Etihad Cargo over the past 12 months?
It has been a great year for Etihad Cargo, and we have been developing significantly on the pharmaceutical side. We launched a new fully IATA CEIV-compliant pharma center in June 2023. Etihad Cargo immediately saw an increase in volumes and ended 2023 with a 37% increase in PharmaLife shipments. We also began the rollout of our new temperature-controlled and energy-efficient cool dolly ground equipment, which will be fully operational by Q2 2024. This was the last piece in our master plan that we started three years ago. Etihad Cargo has continued to expand our global presence and capabilities with the launch of our Pharma Champions Program to enhance customer service and team expertise through the delivery of dedicated PharmaLife training sessions in key pharma markets. We are proud to say that, thanks to our continuous investment and product enhancements, our PharmaLife business has achieved double-digit growth for the past three years. What will Etihad Cargo’s IATA CEIV re-certification mean for its customers?
Etihad Cargo has invested in IATA CEIV certification to showcase our understanding of the stringent requirements for pharmaceutical product transport. We are focused on continuous improvement and the ongoing enhancement of our processes. Can you elaborate on Etihad Cargo’s partnership with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS)?
Our customers will now benefit from the cargo handling facilities provided by WFS across Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). How do you see air cargo logistics serving the pharma industry in the future?
Over the past 10 years, the pharma industry has been shifting more towards ocean freight. This is not a problem for the air logistics space, as 10% to 20% of pharma products is still a significant volume and, foremost, is the highest commercial value share.
Julian Sutch Head of Global Pharma Sales EMIRATES SKYCARGO
Can you present Emirates Pharma, the Emirates SkyPharma facility, and the demand from US life sciences customers for pharma transportation?
Leveraging our industry-leading Life Sciences and Healthcare product portfolio, we move an average of 2 million kg of pharmaceutical cargo every week, with high volumes from key pharmaceutical markets such as India, the US, and European markets. In addition to Emirates Vital and Emirates Medical Device, we offer Emirates Pharma, Emirates Pharma Plus, and Emirates Pharma Active; the three-tier product range provides shipping capabilities for everything from high-temperature tolerance pharmaceuticals, right the way through to high-value cargo requiring active container temperature control.
The backbone of our pharmaceutical cargo business is our world-class GDP-certified facilities, with 15,000 m2 of dedicated storage for temperature-sensitive goods such as perishables and pharmaceuticals. We operate the world’s largest fleet of cool dollies, which regulate the temperature while in transit, and continually invest in innovative technology to offer increased protection to our customers. How are the firm’s new offerings adapted to the life sciences industry’s evolving needs?
Personalized healthcare is the future of the industry, with the market expected to reach US$3.18 trillion by 2025. However, personalized treatments are priceless and often irreplaceable, meaning there is no room for error during transit. Emirates Vital was tailor-made to transport clinical trials, cell and gene therapies, and human samples safely and efficiently.
It is not only medicine and treatments that are advancing: the technology used to diagnose, prevent, treat, and monitor disease is becoming more technical and delicate. While medical devices and equipment were previously shipped as general cargo, they now require a more purpose-built solution that is GDP compliant. To facilitate shipments, we launched Emirates Medical Devices, that covers everything from ventilators and test kits to X-ray machines and MRIs with expert care. What will be the main priorities for Emirates SkyCargo?
We plan to double our existing capacity with 15 confirmed freighters joining our fleet over the next decade.