Frankfurt is aiming to become the largest certified pharmaceutical gateway in Europe with a number of companies concurrently pursing the IATA CEIV Pharma certification with the support of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.

To date two companies in Frankfurt – the Perishable Center and Bolloré Logistics Germany  – have successfully completed the IATA CEIV Pharma certification. Another six companies are either already in the process or are starting the nine-month certification process. These include: Celebi Cargo, FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services, Fraport (Ground Handling Services), Lufthansa Cargo (airline operations as well as Lufthansa Cargo Cool Center), LUG aircargo handling and Swissport Cargo Services Deutschland.

“The products and services related to the transport of pharmaceutical shipments have always been world class in Frankfurt and serve as a role model for many“, says Joachim von Winning, executive director of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.

“With comprehensive certification of the entire process chain we will have independent confirmation and can recommend Frankfurt as the Pharma-Gateway for Europe. At the same time we also see the certification process as an opportunity to optimise services and processes.

“In doing so we want to respond even better to the needs and requirements of freight forwarders and pharmaceutical companies. IATA CEIV Pharma provides the perfect setting and implementation should be completed by early 2017 at the latest, with some companies even earlier,” von Winning said.

Glyn Hughes, IATA global head of cargo added: “We are very pleased to have Frankfurt, as one of the major pharmaceutical hubs, recognise the obvious benefits of the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards. The collective approach to certify across corporate boundaries and for every relevant part of the process chain cannot be stressed enough.“

The Frankfurt air cargo community will be offering a wide range of services based on the CEIV Pharma standards said von Winning. He noted that more than 95 per cent of the freight handling companies and approximately 85 per cent of those providing apron transportation and loading services at Frankfurt Airport will be certified.

In addition to this, numerous international airlines with key stations in Frankfurt as well as major freight forwarders are also becoming certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma.

The more than 100,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical freight a year make Frankfurt Europe´s number one pharma-hub. However, the IATA CEIV Pharma certification is only one area where the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt is involved with its competence team “Temperature Controlled Transport – Pharma” for the transport of pharmaceutical products via Frankfurt.

As such it is checking each and every step of the process for possible optimisation potential. In addition to this and together with the companies, the Community is developing new shared products, such as the ‘Cool Dolly’. This complements the fleet of the thermally air-conditioned vans in use, making it a cost-effective solution for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments on the apron.

In addition, the Community engages in a close exchange with consignors and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to make certain that the products and services on location, optimally meet the needed requirements.

One part of this is the programme “visit FRA pharma”, where representatives of pharmaceutical companies visit the location in order to be informed about the high level of performance and the many possibilities.

“The pharmaceutical part is a prime example of a lived community spirit within the community”, adds von Winning. “Working closely together and across corporate boundaries is implemented, for and with our customers, at the entire location. This distinguishes the work and the success of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.“