The Pharma Gateway Amsterdam Community has received a one million euro grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and TKI Dialog, the Dutch Institute for
Advanced Logistics.
According to information released by Schiphol Airport, the money will be used to analyse pharma shipment data.
Early warning system for pharma shippers
A million euros is a lot of money to be invested in monitoring and analysing pharma shipments.
The Schiphol managers seem to think however that the money will be well spent.
A data collection system will be initiated in what Schiphol terms as a system ‘to identify exceptions such as temperature incursions.’
Once the data collection is complete, they will design a model which can alert pharma shippers when there has been issue or mishandling of their shipments.
Carriers and agents have agreed to come on board
The early warning system would be of little value if the airlines serving SPL, as well as the agents and handling community, would not support the action.
In this respect Schiphol Airport has managed so far to team up with Air France-KLM Cargo, Cargonaut and PGA members who will coordinate with them on data collection.
It is expected that the project will kick-off towards the end of March and first results will be available later on this year.
The initial research as well as the development of necessary measures which could be of future benefit to shippers will be undertaken by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Delft’s
Technology University.
These two will get full support from the Schiphol Cargo Community and Cargonaut in gathering information.
Pharma shippers need more visibility
Jonas van Stekelenburg, Schiphol Airport’s Cargo Director is convinced that this grant will be put to good use.
He stated that: “we are listening to shippers needs and are working to improve transparency and cooperation in the pharma supply chain.”
He added that: “pharma shippers are asking for more visibility so they can have confidence that their sensitive cargo is being handled safely through the supply chain and find solutions if there
are issues such as temperature incursions.”
The same sentiments were also voiced by Air France-KLM Cargo boss, Marcel de Nooijer and Sebastian Scholte, CEO of Jan de Risk Logistics
John Mc Donagh
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