ABC and Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal (PACTL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the sector of time and temperature-sensitive shipments, primarily focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

The agreement will serve as a commitment by both parties to develop, expand and promote business cooperation in this area, while corresponding to the strategic cooperation agreement between ABC and Shanghai Airport Authority signed in September 2017.

With both companies already IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV) Pharma-certified, the MoU concentrates on the enhancement of operations for pharmaceutical shipments by optimising internal procedures, strengthening personnel skills, and leveraging innovative information technology (IT) technologies to deliver the best customer experience and achieve the optimum benefit to support the well-being of end-user patients around the world.

The general director of ABC Sergey Lazarev said: ‘The pharmaceutical sector sets the high level of expectations for all supply chain stakeholders. Understanding the need for high-end services our customers expect us to provide, we work with forward-thinking and trustworthy partners. We are proud to have PACTL among our strategic partners, sharing the same values and business prospects towards the development of the pharmaceutical sector.”

Vice-president of PACTL Christian Haug said: “Now it’s the right time to collaborate with ABC. PACTL’s IATA CEIV has been granted since the very beginning of 2016 and the PACTL Cool Center is the newest contribution to cool chain infrastructure for all temperature-sensitive goods in PVG.

“The facility is around 3,500㎡ and with the capacity to handle 100,000t annually. Meanwhile, PACTL provides integrated, qualified, and reliable cool centre solutions, and advocates to eco-friendly concepts to improve the customer values.

“There’s no doubt that PACTL will assist ABC to coordinate with all parties for TTSP shipments handling and storage.”

China has been the backbone of ABC’s strategy from the day first of its operations, with the company strengthening its footprint and introducing more destinations and frequencies to meet the needs of its customers. Shanghai was among ABC’s first online stations in China and the company is increasing frequencies each season, currently operating more than 20 weekly flights, with the support of its trusted and reliable partners, such as PACTL.

The official signing ceremony was held on the first day of the ABC 2018 exhibition, which takes place in Shanghai every two years and is considered to be one of the world’s major logistics events. It was followed by a welcome reception on ABC’s eye-catching exhibition stand.