Dnata becomes first to offer fully integrated, temperature-controlled cool chain for pharma cargo in Singapore

dnata, one of the world’s leading air services providers, has further enhanced its pharma handling capabilities in Singapore by launching cool dollies in its operations.

The company’s new, high-tech containers are specially designed to serve the pharmaceutical industry with a closed temperature-controlled system for seamless delivery of temperature-sensitive goods between cargo warehouses and aircraft. dnata is the first cargo handler to operate cool dollies at Singapore Changi Airport, offering customers excellent value services throughout the handling process.

Dirk Goovaerts, dnata’s Regional CEO for Asia Pacific, said: “It has become increasingly crucial for both airlines and freight forwarders to be supported by a reliable, certified handler that can protect their pharma shipments and ensure the products remain in perfect condition until they reach the end customer.

“We constantly invest in our people, facilities, equipment and processes to provide world-class services to our customers. Our latest investment in cool dollies underlines our commitment to ensuring the highest quality of supply chain management when handling temperature-sensitive cargo.

“We continue to enhance our operations to deliver the promises our customers make, every day.”

dnata’s announcement to introduce another innovative solution to the Singapore market has been widely welcomed and supported by its partners and stakeholders, including the government and the airport operator.

Ho Yuen Sang, Director, Aviation Industry, Civil Aviation Authority Singapore (CAAS), said: “Air cargo continues to play an important role in enabling the flow of essential goods such as pharmaceutical supplies, even as passenger traffic has been impacted significantly by COVID-19. CAAS congratulates dnata on the launch of the cool dollies at Changi Airport today and commend them for continuing to invest in enhancing their capabilities during these challenging times. This is a good example of the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives our aviation community to create more value for Changi’s customers.”

Law Chung Ming, Director for Transport and Logistics, Enterprise Singapore (ESG), said: “Innovation in healthcare supply chain and logistics will be key in affirming Singapore’s status as a connectivity hub to handle high value and sensitive cargo flows. dnata’s partnership with local SME, Monzone, which provided the technical expertise for the development of Changi Airport’s first cool dollies, is testament of our ability to co-develop solutions to meet the region’s growing pharmaceutical needs. We look forward to facilitating more collaborations between corporates and our local SMEs, to drive the adoption of innovative solutions.”

Lim Ching Kiat, Managing Director, Air Hub Development, Changi Airport Group (CAG), said: “CAG congratulates dnata for the implementation of cool dolly services in Changi Airport. Pharmaceuticals and perishables shipments are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuation and require stringent temperature control to maintain product effectiveness and freshness. The cool dolly services further enhance Singapore as a reliable and quality air hub for pharma and perishables products. Through close collaboration with our air cargo community, Changi Airport is committed to continuously develop our cold chain handling capabilities, providing shippers with the assurance of safe, reliable and efficient air transportation for their special cargo. Changi currently features the largest IATA CEIV Pharma certified air cargo community in Asia Pacific. Together with our community, we are preparing for the effective global air transportation of Covid-19 vaccines.”

dnata’s new equipment allows the company to transport temperature-sensitive cargo to the highest international standards. Providing temperature-controlled storage from -18°C up to +25°C, the cool dollies mitigate risk of temperature deviations and contamination. They have a closed structure with alarms on opening and closing, as well as alerts if temperatures fluctuate above acceptable ranges. As they are fitted with solar panels, the cool dollies are both environmentally friendly and autonomous. The units are also hygienic and easy to clean, which is an important consideration for pharma cargo.

dnata operates a state-of-the-art, 1,400m² pharma and perishable handling centre at Changi Airport, which is capable of processing 75,000 tonnes of temperature-sensitive goods annually. It enables dnata’s cargo team to offer an uncompromised temperature-controlled handling and storage solution to airline customers in Singapore.

dnata’s cool chain facility was designed and built with flexibility and unique product handling requirements in mind, taking advantage of the latest cold storage technologies and designs. The temperature-controlled areas in the facility are modular, enabling teams to manage changing handling demands with dedicated climate control capability. A web-based monitoring system is also in place to facilitate real-time management of all areas. The cool chain facility enables dnata to provide its customers at Changi with a one-stop audit trail of all consignments whilst being processed through the facility.

To deliver more value for its customers, dnata has recently started offering a range of solutions to fast-track time-sensitive imports. The company’s services include priority clearance at its cargo centre and expedited deliveries to its customers’ warehouse facilities within the Changi Airfreight Centre / Airport Logistics Park Singapore (ALPS). dnata will soon offer the delivery of temperature-sensitive products in an unbroken cool chain island-wide, providing live tracking and updates to customers through its logistics partners.

dnata has been certified by IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) for its pharma handling processes at Singapore Changi Airport. The CEIV Pharma program was created to provide a globally consistent and recognized pharmaceutical product handling certification that focuses on airfreight and temporary storage. The stringent standards set by CEIV Pharma and the rigorous assessments conducted either meet or exceed many of the current worldwide regulations.

dnata has also earned the ISO 9001:2015 certification for cargo handling services, and been awarded Halal certification by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) for a special storage room in its Coolchain facility.

dnata is a global member of Pharma.Aero, a cross-industry collaboration of pharma shippers, CEIV certified cargo communities, airport operators and other air cargo industry stakeholders. In addition, dnata Singapore has recently joined the Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI) to further enhance its cooperation with industry stakeholders.

A global air services provider and the trusted partner of over 300 airline customers, dnata offers ground handling, cargo and catering services at 126 airports in 19 countries.