Kuehne+Nagel is one of the world’s logistics leaders and is a partner of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies that opened one of its three regional centers for the distribution of vaccines to the region at Carrasco Airport. .
They carried out the operation and transfer of more than 12 million doses of vaccines per year in Latin America and Central America. Weeks ago, around 270,000 doses were transferred from Uruguay to Brazil on charter flights, beginning the first joint multimodal operations from the Regional Distribution Center in Montevideo. The operations were carried out from the Carrasco Airport, specifically at the Latin America Cargo City facilities, a free zone located in the terminal. The spokesperson for the logistics company, Adriana Arnold, is a spokesperson for Regional Industry Champion Healthcare at Kuehne+Nagel, was interviewed by Diario La R who spoke about the particularities of the transfer of vaccines and the advantages offered by the company from the point of view logistic.
What are the operational advantages that Kuehne+Nagel offers in logistics?
We have more than 130 years of history. Experience is something that supports us.
At Kuehne+Nagel, our logistics network of more than 1,300 centers in more than 100 countries, plus our team of certified experts present throughout the world, allow us to transport, store and distribute products quickly and safely to and from any market.
We can also highlight our unique logistics solutions. Whether receiving services are required for manufacturing plants, such as storage, handling or distribution of finished products, we can customize a specific solution for our clients. At Kuehne+Nagel we have the ability to create new routes through our multimodal services that provide maritime, air and land distribution solutions.
How are delicate operations such as the transfer of vaccines planned and how far in advance are they organized?
At Kuehne+Nagel we comply with and demand the highest sanitary standards when transporting health products. Globally, our offices are certified in GDP (Good Distribution Practices), IATA CEIV Pharma specifically for air operations and in line with the local regulations of each country where we operate. In all types of journeys we offer a monitoring service where our trained teams are controlling the load 24/7 with the aim of advising in the event of any event en route, or also reporting if there are inconveniences, in order to take the correct preventive actions.
At the Hub in Montevideo we ensure that multimodal cross-dock operations, by sea, land and air, follow the appropriate temperature requirements.
A few weeks ago, the first transfer to Brazil of a batch of vaccines on charter flights took place. How many doses were transferred?
270,000 doses were transferred and, in total, there will be more than 12 million vaccines distributed per year to South and Central America, doses of great need for the immunization program (for example, hepatitis, meningitis and rotavirus). This was possible thanks to our alliance with GSK, with whom we have an agreement to distribute mainly to the markets of Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay.
It is mentioned that in addition to air transport, the possibility of providing land service to other countries is also considered. What destinations are you thinking of?
In principle, the land operation applies to countries such as Brazil and Argentina. The temperature-controlled pharmaceutical route qualification process demands high standards and proper validation of equipment, routes used, and security controls. New destinations such as Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia are in this process, with implementation expectations for 2023.
