In a move that takes sharper aim at the high yield segment of the air cargo supply chain, FedEx Express has opened its new FedEx Cold Chain Center at the FedEx Express World Hub in Memphis, Tennessee, US.

While this dedicated facility is the first of its kind for the FedEx network, FedEx operates smaller-scale cold chain facilities at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in France, the Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany and the Kansai International Airport in Japan.

Designed to protect the integrity of temperature-sensitive healthcare and perishable shipments, the 7,710-square-metre facility forms an integral part of the FedEx global cold chain network and a wider portfolio of the FedEx Healthcare Solutions.

Each year, US$130 billion worth of healthcare sales rely on cold chain to ensure that life-saving products remain intact and readily available around the world.  This number is set to increase, with healthcare cold chain logistics in Asia Pacific forecast to see double-digit growth through 2020.

“Modern cold chain logistics capabilities are opening up new possibilities for Asia Pacific’s healthcare sector,” said Karen Reddington, president, FedEx Express Asia Pacific.

“Today, shipping even the most sensitive products such as biopharmaceuticals around the world, which would have been difficult or impossible just a few years ago, has become easier than ever.  The state-of-the-art FedEx Cold Chain Center Memphis places FedEx firmly at the leading edge of the revolution that is sweeping the global healthcare logistics market.”

The FedEx Cold Chain Center Memphis offers key features to keep temperatures regulated in the event of unforeseen delays, such as clearance holds or inclement weather, including:

• Temperature-controlled areas for -25°C to -10°C (frozen), 2°C to 8°C (cold) and 15°C to 25°C (controlled-room temperature) products;
• Separate areas for healthcare shipments and other temperature-sensitive perishables (e.g. specialty foods, flowers and seafood);
• Real-time carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature monitoring;
• 24/7 on-site International Document Agent (IDA) station with dedicated monitoring by FedEx Express personnel;
• PalletiSing, staging, handling and breaking downarea for shipments using the FedEx Thermal Blanket solution, designed to meet controlled-temperature requirements during transit;
• Dry ice replenishment and gel pack exchange capabilities;
• Cross dock station with direct trailer access to cold (2°C to 8°C) environment; and
• Cold lock dual door design for precise temperature control.