Singapore Airlines (SIA) has broadened its range of solutions for pharmaceutical cargo by signing a lease agreement with shipment container provider SkyCell and expanding its THRUCOOL quality corridor network.
SIA launched THRUCOOL in September 2018 as a cold chain service to transport high-value, time-sensitive and temperature controlled pharmaceutical cargo with speed and reliability. The launch coincided with the introduction of a ‘quality corridor’ along the Zurich-Singapore-Sydney route, with strict end-to-end temperature control for the handling and transportation of temperature sensitive goods. By complying with standards adopted from the IATA CEIV Pharma1 programme, the quality corridor addresses the industry’s need for safety, care and efficiency in the transportation of pharmaceutical products.
As a further demonstration of its commitment to quality pharma transportation, SIA has signed a three-year agreement with SkyCell for leasing of temperature-controlled pharma containers, effective 1 May 2019.
The Swiss-made containers are designed to maintain pharmaceutical products between +2 to +8 degrees Celsius or +15 to +25 degrees Celsius, even under extreme ambient temperatures. Cutting-edge patented insulation helps to reflect maximum radiation and minimise heat conduction, while cooling technology that stores five times more energy than traditional methods ensures that each container is kept at a steady temperature.
The containers are all equipped with IoT sensors which connect to a data cloud for quality monitoring.
SIA Senior Vice President Cargo, Mr Chin Yau Seng, said, “The expansion of our THRUCOOL quality corridor network and lease partnership with SkyCell demonstrate our commitment to providing quality-assured dedicated cold chain services when transporting time-and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. We will continue to improve our service offerings and collaborate with our industry partners to pursue innovation in the shipping of pharmaceuticals.”
“Singapore Airlines is the leading airline in Asia Pacific with a specialized pharma offering and an extensive network. The collaboration will meet the growing demand for reliable and safe pharmaceutical transportation solutions in the Asia-Pacific region and contribute to eliminating temperature excursions for shipments to emerging markets,” said Richard Ettl, CEO of SkyCell.
SIA offers air cargo services to more than 130 destinations with the SIA Group’s modern passenger fleet of more than 190 aircraft, in addition to seven freighter aircraft. From 13 June 2019, SIA Cargo will add Amsterdam and Ho Chi Minh City to its quality corridor network. Customers now have the option of using THRUCOOL to transport pharmaceutical products from Amsterdam or Zurich to Ho Chi Minh City or Sydney via Singapore, with assurance of maximum attention to product integrity at each step of the journey. Looking ahead, SIA will continue to collaborate with industry partners to expand its quality corridor network across key trade lanes.
About SkyCell
SkyCell is a leading airfreight container provider with the mission to supply the safest pharma containers worldwide. This is achieved through the unique combination of hardware, software and service, enabling our clients to master logistical challenges and eliminate temperature excursion. Pharma companies have tested and verified SkyCell as the safest solution on the market, with less than 0.1% temperature deviations since launch. The efficient insulation and cutting-edge cooling technology enable the containers to keep the temperature for 160h+. All containers are equipped with IoT sensors, leading to a seamless supply chain through global tracking and monitoring. Based in Switzerland, SkyCell serves more than 90 countries and pharma companies around the world.
For more information visit www.skycell.ch
