In Volga-Dnepr Group’s latest vaccine logistics warm-up, the company worked with strategic partners, including DHL Global Forwarding LS&H sector experts, to deliver insulin from Milan to Chicago. 

The carriers involved were AirBridgeCargo and CargoLogicAir, who organised the air transport of insulin stored inside Envirotainer and DoKaSch RAP containers. 

A total of 18 active containers were loaded onto a Boeing 747F operated by CargoLogicAir, with warehousing and ramp handling facilitated by Italy’s Alha Group.

Also read: AirBridgeCargo, Kuehne+Nagel run pharma charter service from Leipzig to Guangzhou

‘We are proud to be stepping away from the previously existing fragmented nature of the air cargo industry toward a collaborative approach where all the stakeholders function as a single unit to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products,” explained Yulia Celetaria, global director for pharma at AirBridgeCargo Airlines. 

“This shipment is a great example of collaboration between carriers, ground handling agent, freight forwarder, container manufacturers, airport and customs authorities. 

“Understanding the supply chain constraints now is primarily important as there is still time to fix any discrepancies we might have before COVID-19 vaccine regular shipments,” she added. 

Ground handler Alha Group noted AirBridgeCargo is carrying out “extraordinary” planning and coordination activities across its entire network, in preparation for vaccine distribution and treatments for Covid-19.

As their service provider, we are experiencing tremendous guidance from ABC in support to our response strategy and action plans for this huge operational challenge: together with AirBridgeCargo, our vaccine task force is simulating operational stress situations with scenario exercises, conducting gap analysis and developing specific business continuity plans,” said Andrea Battaglia, special products development manager at Alha Group. 

“Our common goal is to ensure smooth operations with the utmost respect for the integrity of the product: we are planning together to streamline our handling process in order to ensure flawless service and make Milan the main pharma gateway for southern Europe,” he added.