Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has further enhanced its cool chain capabilities at its Abu Dhabi hub by adding high-tech cool dollies to its tarmac transportation fleet. The introduction of these specialized containers, in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo (EASC), aims to provide maximum safety and temperature control for pharmaceutical and perishable shipments during the critical stage of transportation between the aircraft and the carrier’s state-of-the-art cool chain warehouse.
Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations & Delivery at Etihad Cargo, emphasized the carrier’s commitment to the safe and reliable transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo through its IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife and IATA CEIV Fresh-certified products. He stated, “Part of this commitment is ensuring cargo is transported between the aircraft and cool chain facilities as fast as possible and mitigating the risks associated with outdoor and environmental conditions during the cargo’s journey. These specialised containers not only control the temperature but also enable Etihad Cargo to access the data records, providing Etihad Cargo increased visibility of this Critical Control Point to reduce, eliminate and prevent hazards.”
The cool dollies can be set to maintain temperatures between +2 and +25 degrees Celsius, with an in-built alarm system that sends alerts if the temperature fluctuates beyond the set parameters. The state-of-the-art containers offer high insulating capacity, a refrigeration cell made with a single-piece fibreglass panel, and reinforced wall, roof, and floor panels, providing a robust temperature-controlled transportation solution. Additionally, the cool dollies present a greener choice, promising a longer isolation cell life, easy and low-cost maintenance, and reduced overall consumption, fuel costs, and environmental impact.
Naresh Ranganathan, Acting Vice President Cargo at Etihad Airport Services Cargo, expressed pleasure in introducing the cool dollies, which will initially be used exclusively to transport pharmaceutical and perishable products to and from the aircraft from their cargo facilities. He stated, “As a CEIV Pharma and Fresh-certified cargo handler, this further reiterates our commitment to providing best-in-class services to ensure the safe and efficient carriage of pharmaceuticals through our airport.”
Schürmann further explained that by providing a fully temperature-controlled solution, Etihad Cargo will enable customers and partners to reduce risks, as cargo will be exposed to the elements for the absolute minimum amount of time. “With these brand-new cool dollies, Etihad Cargo is bridging the last gap in its global cool chain offering by providing continuity and stability with advanced temperature-controlled solutions during the most critical step of air cargo transportation,” he added.
The introduction of cool dollies is the latest in a series of initiatives by Etihad Cargo to enhance its cool chain capabilities, following the introduction of dedicated thermal covers and the launch of a state-of-the-art cool chain facility at Abu Dhabi Airport. The new pharma hub, established in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and Abu Dhabi Airports, has doubled Etihad Cargo’s cool chain capacity and supports the growing global healthcare and life sciences demand, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global pharmaceuticals and life sciences hub.
