Frankfurt plans to become largest certified Pharma-Hub in Europe

Air Cargo Community Frankfurt has reinforced its ambitions for Frankfurt Airport to become the largest certified pharma-hub in Europe.

Frankfurt, the airfreight hub, has emphasised its ideal conditions for the rapid, safe and reliable delivery of temperature and time sensitive goods, specifically pharmaceutical shipments such as vaccines or medicine. Together with the support of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, a number of companies aim to achieve IATA CEIV Pharma certification. The actions of all parties form a common goal: Frankfurt becomes the largest certified pharmaceutical gateway in Europe.

“The products and services related to the transport of pharmaceutical shipments have always been world class in Frankfurt and serve as a role model for many”, says Joachim von Winning, Executive Director of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt. “With comprehensive certification of the entire process chain we will have independent confirmation and can recommend Frankfurt as the Pharma-Gateway for Europe. At the same time we also see the certification process as an opportunity to optimise services and processes. In doing so, we want to respond even better to the needs and requirements of freight forwarders and pharmaceutical companies. IATA CEIV Pharma provides the perfect setting and implementation should be completed by early 2017 at the latest, with some companies even earlier.”

Frankfurt Pharma-Hub: 100,000 tons of pharmaceutical freight a year

Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Cargo: “We are very pleased to have Frankfurt, as one of the major pharmaceutical hubs. The collective approach to certify across corporate boundaries and for every relevant part of the process chain cannot be stressed enough.”

Community actively supports the certification process

The comprehensive and collaborative approach of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt intends to have each step of the process certified. This way it ensures a high degree of reliability and security throughout the process especially for the consignor. The Community is coordinating special training for the employees of participating companies in order to ensure the success of the certification process. It also provides them with a valuable platform for cooperation on shared processes as well as the exchange of experiences and ideas across corporate boundaries.

First Companies already certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma

The Perishable Center GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG, Frankfurt and Bolloré Logistics Germany GmbH in Frankfurt have successfully completed the IATA CEIV Pharma certification. Additional companies are already in the process or are starting the 9-month certification process. Among them are:

• Celebi Cargo GmbH
• FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services GmbH
• Fraport AG (Ground Handling Services)
• Lufthansa Cargo AG (airline operations as well as Lufthansa Cargo Cool Center)
• LUG aircargo handling GmbH
• Swissport Cargo Services Deutschland GmbH

Joachim von Winning continues, “We are offering a wide range of services based on the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards as soon as the certification of these companies has been completed. For instance more than 95 percent of the freight handling companies and approximately 85 percent of those providing apron transportation and loading services at Frankfurt Airport will then be certified.“

In addition to this, numerous international airlines with key stations in Frankfurt as well as major freight forwarders are also becoming certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma.

The Community´s commitment

Frankfurt currently handles more than100,000 tons of pharmaceutical freight a year making it one of Europe’s top pharma-hubs. However, the IATA CEIV Pharma certification is the only area where the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt is involved with its competence team. As such it is checking each and every step of the process for possible optimisation potential. In addition to this and together with the companies, the Community is developing new shared products, such as the “Cool Dolly”. This complements the fleet of the thermally air-conditioned vans in use, making it a cost-effective solution for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments on the apron.

In addition, the Community engages in a close exchange with consignors and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to make certain that the products and services on location, optimally meet the needed requirements. One part of this is the programme “visit FRA pharma“, where representatives of pharmaceutical companies visit the location in order to be informed about the high level of performance and the many possibilities.

“The pharmaceutical part is a prime example of a lived community spirit within the Community”, says Joachim von Winning. “Working closely together and across corporate boundaries is implemented, for and with our customers, at the entire location. This distinguishes the work and the success of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.”