Detailed preparations for night-time loading were made and temperature control requirements were considered in handling the special cargo. (Courtesy of Volga-Dnepr
Volga-Dnepr Group and freight forwarder Scan Global Logistics safely transported 180 cbm of vaccines and medical supplies to Turkmenistan during August and September, a press release confirmed.
The pharma cargo delivered contained vital diphteria/hepatitis and BCG vaccine doses, as well as clinical/medical supplies, as part of the United Nation’s vaccination programme.
Two charter flights were organised from Leipzig Airport between August and September, with the critical supplies being consigned to the Turkmenistan Government.
Volga-Dnepr‘s “Cargo Supermarket” service was in full display as the two flights were operated on two different aircraft types IL-76TD-90VD and B 737-400SF. The IL-76 was operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines and the B737F was operated by ATRAN Airlines.
Detailed preparations for night-time loading were made and temperature control requirements were considered in handling the special cargo.
Load engineers from Volga-Dnepr and ATRAN drafted the load plans, in conjunction with the Scan Global Logistic team and the PortGround GHA facility in Leipzig.
Volga-Dnepr Group said it maintains a charter operational base at Leipzig Airport and works closely with the airport authority to offer more services for emergency and health shipments originating from Europe. With an experienced team of specialists, the operational base guarantees fleet availability and more charter flight options.
“With this charter shipment we once again demonstrate our ability and willingness to always walk the extra mile to find the right solution,” says Ragnar Dalen, regional CEO of continental Europe Air & Ocean at Scan Global Logistics. “We were very happy to partner with Volga-Dnepr Group and using our skilled specialists and proud problem-solvers who live to remove complexity, we were able to succeed – even in times of uncertainty.
Stuart Smith, global director humanitarian/emergency response for Volga-Dnepr Group, commented: “The effect of COVID-19 on global supply chains and wider humanitarian and health immunisation programs cannot be underestimated. The decline in global aviation capacity because of COVID-19 has meant that many development organisations have needed to re-think their logistics for their ongoing in-country programme. With our “Cargo Supermarket” concept in action, we were able to guarantee speedy, fast and safe delivery using a unique combination of freighters.”
In related news, last week the UNICEF and the Government of Turkmenistan signed a five-year plan to procure vaccines and vaccine-related equipment worth US$83 million.
The vaccines are said to protect children from fourteen vaccine preventable diseases and will ensure the continuity of the immunization programme in Turkmenistan.
