-
New airfreight cold station in Singapore aims to support regional distribution of COVID-19 vaccines
-
CEVA plans to operate a network of more than 40 such airfreight stations by the end of 2021
-
Healthcare logistics offered is specially targeted at temperature-sensitive products, including COVID-19 vaccines
CEVA Logistics has opened its first airfreight cold chain facility in Singapore to support the regional distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and other healthcare supplies in Southeast Asia.
The temperature-controlled airfreight station, which opened on September 8, lies within the Free Trade Zone of the Airport Logistics Park and is adjacent to Singapore’s Changi International Airport.
It is expected to facilitate seamless regional distribution in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and provide in-transit storage, value-add services and quick turnaround times for connecting to global markets.
Airfreight stations are part of CEVA’s expanding healthcare logistics offering. The logistics company plans to invest in and operate a network of more than 40 such airfreight stations by the end of 2021. This network of cold stations aims to ensure that temperature-sensitive shipments across ambient and chilled conditions are maintained in their optimal environments throughout shipment.
Additional stations in Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, Madrid, Budapest and Mumbai are scheduled to open in the coming months. In all, the stations will allow CEVA to not only service major healthcare gateways in regional markets, like Asia Pacific, but also to supply more than 1,450 healthcare trade lanes globally.
To meet the demands of healthcare and pharmaceutical customers, the new station is composed of two distinct areas dedicated to temperature management of shipments within the ranges of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.
CEVA said it will continue to focus on the spectrum of products requiring a range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, including certain COVID-19 vaccines, although the company provides solutions for other products, including vaccines requiring lower temperatures throughout transport.
The Singapore location’s proximity to local seaports, combined with reefer container options, also allows customers to access more environmentally friendly ocean freight transportation.
“As CEVA’s first airfreight cold chain facility in Singapore, this is a timely investment for healthcare logistics. This air hub is now capable of supporting the regional distribution of vaccines and other pharmaceutical supplies that are critically needed in Southeast Asia at the moment,” said Elaine Low, managing director for Southeast Asia and Pacific at CEVA Logistics.
Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash
