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Dutch freight industry gets ready for the great vaccine airlift

[ December 22, 2020   //   ]

Sixty companies have come together to form Vaccines Gateway Netherlands (VGN) at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to ensure the safe, secure, and swift transportation of  Covid-19 vaccines following the approval of the European Medicine Agency, also situated in Amsterdam. 

The Group includes Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, industry group Air Cargo Netherlands, manufacturers, airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, trucking companies, and general sales agents.

Business services firms are also taking part including banks, insurance companies, educational institutes, consultancies, staffing agents, and security companies.

Schiphol Cargo’s director of business development, Ferry van der Ent, explained: “VGN is fully committed and feels responsible to fulfil this vital task and deliver high-end quality throughout the whole airfreight supply chain.” The Taskforce strives to be the European Gateway for the most efficient, secure, and reliable handling and transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.

“The Corona pandemic has had a tremendous effect on all of us worldwide and this will remain the case until the virus has been eradicated, which most effectively will be achieved by a successful vaccine. 

“The vaccines will be produced at a set of specific sites around the globe and it will require a large distribution network and collaboration between stakeholders in the logistics supply chain to deliver and handle as quickly as possible. 

“Not only is the large number of shipments expected for the COVID-19 vaccines a task, but we also expect to have to step up to maintain the vaccines in a good condition as required. 

Vaccines will need to be transported at temperatures ranging from -80°C to +8°C.

He added: “We are experienced with temperature sensitive goods and are aware of the harmful impact when exposed to temperature deviations. Therefore, we have successfully run through different scenarios and have created guidelines based on these in order to make sure we are prepared for every eventuality.” 

VGN has begun creating ‘fast lanes’ at Schiphol to ensure immediate in/immediate out and reducing storage time at the airport to a minimum.

Dutch Customs is an active member of the group, committing to swift and smooth checks for the vaccines and the Royal Military Police are on board to help with security measures and processes.

Scripts and scenarios have been created based on expected shipment volumes and taking into account different packaging needs of the vaccines based on different temperature ranges. VGN members are already using these to implement preparatory measures and are willing to share capacity, such as joint dry ice stock and shared cool room facilities, for example.

Air Cargo Netherlands managing director, Maarten van As, added:  “VGN members are greatly experienced in handling temperature-controlled shipments and we will be sharing knowledge and data to make sure the vaccines safely reach their destination at the right time.

The VGN has also ensured that all hauliers, forwarders, airlines, and handler members are GDP compliant and, in most cases, have additional CEIV certification. The shared knowledge of each VGN member will ensure the swift, secure and safe transport of the vaccines for the Dutch Cargo Community.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo ‘s director of pricing, capacity and contracting, Marcel Kuijn, concluded: “The VGN supports a great deal of knowledge sharing amongst members and brings together both local and International communities to ensure we are ready to receive, process and fly the vaccines.”

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