Worldwide storage capacity for temperature-sensitive freight is being massively expanded, German air cargo carrier underlines. Lufthansa Cargo has announced the opening of facilities at Munich and Chicago airports dedicated to handling pharmaceuticals to a backdrop of the massive expansion of storage capacity for temperature-sensitive freight, accelerated by COVID-19.
The company’s ‘Pharma Hub Munich’ offers space for up to 96 pallets and loose cargo in two different temperature ranges (+2 to +8 °C and +15 to +25 °C) and a freezer (down to -18 °C) on almost 1000 square metres and on several levels.
“With the new Pharma-Hub at our hub in Munich, we have created a state-of-the-art infrastructure for temperature-sensitive freight that will guarantee our customers even higher transport quality for their pharma shipments in the future. Particularly in the context of the corona pandemic, the relevance of stable supply chains and fast transport of medicines or vaccines has once again been demonstrated,” explained Harald Gloy, Lufthansa Cargo board Member, Operations.
International Air Transport Association CEIV Pharma certification for the new pharma hub is planned for this autumn.
In addition to the pharma hub Munich Lufthansa Cargo has also invested in new temperature-sensitive cargo facilites in the US, opening the P harma Center Chicago at the city’s O’Hare Airport in June.
The 750 sqm facility provides space on several levels for up to 54 pallets and 102 cool containers in two different temperature ranges (+2 to +8 °C and +15 to 25 °C) and in a freezer (down to -18 °C).
Most of the pharmaceutical shipments carried by Lufthansa Cargo are handled at its Frankfurt hub where a dedicated facility was extended by around two-thirds to 8,000 sqm in 2018. It was one of the first centres of its kind in the world to be CEIV Pharma-certified.
By the end of 2020, Lufthansa Cargo’s worldwide network is expected to comprise 31 CEIV Pharma-certified pharma stations and further expansion is planned beyond this date.
Source: Lloyd’s
