Amid an anticipated surge in vaccine logistics demand, Abu Dhabi has launched the Hope Consortium.
Comprising leading Abu Dhabi and global entities, the Hope Consortium represents a complete supply chain solution for vaccine transport: demand planning, sourcing, training, and digital technology infrastructure.
Hope Consortium member Etihad Cargo and other consortium members transported five million vaccines in November on behalf of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, which will oversee regulatory compliance, full chain expertise and scientific insight.
The consortium also includes Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Rafed, the healthcare purchasing arm of Abu Dhabi-based ADQ, and Switzerland’s award-winning SkyCell, which develops next-generation, temperature-controlled logistics containers for the pharmaceutical industry.
As part of the Hope Consortium, SkyCell will establish a regional service and manufacturing centre in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “While assuring vaccine supply to the domestic market, the Hope Consortium will offer international governments, non-governmental organisations, and vaccine suppliers a cohesive solution across every supply chain step – from air freight, regional storage and temperature monitoring, to inventory management, cold and ultra-cold container solution, regulatory clearance, and healthcare and pharma quality assurance.”
“Developing a vaccine is only the first step in getting to a solution, getting that vaccine to the whole globe, while maintaining a robust integrity of temperature is an equal challenge by itself, the Hope Consortium will provide that solution on the highest level of quality.”
He continued: “Consortium partners already have extensive expertise in the global delivery of millions of COVID-19 related items, such as personal protective equipment, diagnostics consumables, vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
“As we progress talks with vaccine manufacturers to apprise them of our global distribution capabilities, the Hope Consortium will harness the united expertise of various Abu Dhabi and UAE stakeholders to provide a fully-fledged, end-to-end solution specifically for COVID vaccine distribution needs.”
Distribution of the vaccines, which will be stored in Abu Dhabi Ports Company facilities, will be carried out by Etihad Cargo, the first Middle Eastern carrier to gain IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification for pharmaceutical logistics.
The UAE’s national carrier will leverage its extensive intercontinental network, fleet and charter flights to supply vaccines globally.
Tony Douglas, group chief executive, said: “Etihad Aviation Group“With two thirds of the world’s human footprint within a four-hour flight of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital’s investment in technological expertise and world-class infrastructure facilities means we can serve as a global logistical hub to, and for, the world.
“Etihad Cargo’s role in the consortium will leverage our outstanding pharmaceutical logistics expertise and specialised pharma and healthcare service, PharmaLife, the IATA CEIV Pharma certified product capable of facilitating temperature-sensitive cargo between +25⁰C and -80⁰C.
“Our network reach across key destinations will be supported by the utilisation of our charter operations to meet global demand for swift and secure COVID-19 vaccine shipments.
“We are already managing all anticipated shipment elements through our dedicated COVID-19 vaccines workforce.”
Douglas added. “A dedicated pharmaceutical handling facility to accommodate increased capacity at our Abu Dhabi hub is also currently under review, as well as additional thermal covers and enhanced capabilities at origin stations based on established pharma trade lanes and specific requests.”
As part of the Hope Consortium, Abu Dhabi Ports, which has the Middle East’s largest capacities for cold chain and ultra-cold storage, will leverage its capabilities as an innovation epicentre serving the Middle East and wider world through Abu Dhabi as a supply chain gateway connecting East and West.
Picture caption L to R: Richard Ettl, Chief Executive Officer of SkyCell; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports; Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group; HE Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Rashed Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, Rafed; Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Head of Digital Cluster – Abu Dhabi Ports, CEO of Maqta Gateway.
