CAG support for cargo partners seeking pharma certification

CHANGI Airport Group (CAG) is lending support to six cargo partners to get the global certification required to boost their pharmaceutical cargo handling capabilities in Singapore.

These companies, from different parts of the air cargo supply chain, will seek the International Air Transport Association's (Iata) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators on Pharmaceutical Handling (CEIV Pharma) certification, CAG said in a statement.

The companies are SIA Cargo, dnata Singapore, Global Airfreight International, Expeditors Singapore, CEVA Logistics Singapore and Schenker Singapore.

CAG will extend support towards funding the costs and coordinating the training sessions. The companies will also have access to assistance grants from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Singapore Workforce Development Agency.

Yam Kum Weng, executive vice-president, air hub & development, Changi Airport Group, highlighted pharmaceutical cargo as one of the fastest-growing cargo segments at Changi Airport.

"Through the IATA CEIV Pharma certification programme, CAG and our partners go one step further by taking a proactive approach in enhancing our cold chain handling capabilities to better serve the pharmaceuticals industry, further strengthening Changi's position as a major cargo hub in the world," he explained.

The Iata CEIV Pharma is a standardised global certification programme that helps companies comply with existing global pharmaceutical guidelines. Companies undergoing this certification process will have to maintain a cargo hold temperature setting of between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius and ensure appropriate handling from tarmac to loading and unloading.

Under the programme, companies will have to undergo training, as well as an assessment of their facilities and processes by independent, Iata-certified auditors to satisfy the strict requirements on pharmaceutical handling before receiving the certification

SATS Coolport, a major cargo player at Changi, was the first facility in the world to attain the Iata CEIV Pharma certification in 2014.

A leading cargo hub in Asia and among the top 10 in the world, Changi handled 1.85 million tonnes of cargo in 2015. Pharmaceuticals are one of the best-performing cargo segments, growing a robust 45 per cent year on year in 2015.