United Cargo has announced the signing of a global rental agreement with va-Q-tec, a leading provider of high-performance units for temperature-controlled transport of pharmaceuticals. This agreement, signed by va-Q-tec Ltd. managing director Dominic Hyde and United Cargo president Jan Krems at a ceremony in Houston, Texas, expands the companies’ relationship and affirms their joint commitment to providing customers with advanced options for the safe transport of cool chain air freight.

United is the first North American carrier to announce the availability of va-Q-tainer rentals directly through the airline. United Cargo’s TempControl customers may choose from five sizes of va-Q-tainer Containers: Half Euro, Eurox, USx, XLx and TWINx.

TWINx is the newest va-Q-tainer unit and can accommodate two US pallets inside. All rentals will be handled by United Cargo’s centralised 24/7 Control Tower team: The experts who manage every process throughout the life cycle of each TempControl shipment. United plans an October launch date for the new va-Q-tainer rentals.

“We’re very excited to add the latest in passive packaging to our suite of rental units,” said Krisha Kucharski, TempControl Product Development and marketing manager. “These va-Q- tainer units allow us to transport shipments at temperatures from -50 °C up to +25 °C – the widest range we have ever offered our customers. As the bio-pharma transport industry expands into new markets, these units will enable us to better utilise our narrow-body aircraft and reach more destinations more quickly.”

“United Cargo is a great partner for va-Q-tec, enabling one-way rentals of va-Q-tainer containers for pharmaceuticals worldwide,” said Hyde. “Combining va-Q-tec’s wide range of container sizes and temperature ranges with United Cargo’s expertise in temperature-controlled transport provides shippers with a winning combination of reliable temperature- controlled containers, global access and 24/7 service.”