Imperial Health Sciences MD, Dr Iain Barton explains that this service will maximise the cost effectiveness of sea solutions versus airfreight for pharmaceutical customers, providing them with a transparent and comprehensive solution for the supply of replenishment stocks.
"The innovative solution has been developed in response to demand from pharmaceutical customers for a robust, total supply chain service. With a door-to-door pallet rate structure for consignments, which can range from a single pallet to a dedicated container, the new service maximises quality and minimises risk, with a complete audit trail for temperature control and security."
Collections will be made throughout Europe by the Yusen Logistics' network, and received into the company's European pharmaceutical hub in Antwerp. "Weekly sea freight will depart from the port of Antwerp direct to Cape Town, where the product will be pre-cleared and offloaded into the company's warehouse," Barton outlines.
Onward transportation by fully temperature-controlled vehicles will then take the pharmaceutical goods directly to the consignee, to the manufacturer's warehouse or to the group's pharmaceutical distribution facilities around South Africa.
"This represents the pharmaceutical industry's first comprehensive sea freight solution from Europe to southern Africa, offering quality and cost benefits for both large and small shipments," Barton concludes.
