Market Trends of UAE Cold Chain Logistics Industry
The Pharma and Life Sciences Segment Occupies the Largest Market Share in the UAE Cold Chain Logistics Market
- The pharma and life sciences segment in the United Arab Emirates has skyrocketed in sales in the past few years. As most items in this segment are temperature-sensitive, the cold chain market has also seen a steep rise in sales in the region. In November 2022, Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, in partnership with Etihad Airport Services and Abu Dhabi Airports, prepared to launch a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical cool chain facility.
- Due to an upcoming operation, the facility will significantly expand the pharmaceutical handling and storage at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Etihad Cargo's customers will benefit from the carrier's expanded International Air Transport Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certification for pharmaceutical and life science logistics and provision of world-class, end-to-end temperature-controlled solutions for the transportation of pharmaceuticals across the carrier's global network.
- Before the opening of the new pharmaceutical facility at the carrier's Abu Dhabi hub, Etihad Cargo transported over 50,000 tons of cool chain products, including pharmaceutical and healthcare products via its PharmaLife product and fresh produce via its IATA CEIV Fresh-certified FreshForward product, in the past twelve months. The strong collaboration between Etihad Cargo, Etihad Airport Services, and Abu Dhabi Airports will continue to increase pharmaceutical cargo volumes and further position Abu Dhabi as a major solutions provider in the logistics supply chain.
- Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, a state-of-the-art Hayat Biotech Life Sciences Park is set up in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD. This innovative and integrated hub is dedicated to R&D in life sciences, biotechnology, and vaccine production. The park’s design fosters an ecosystem of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- In April 2023, Saudia Cargo added Tower Cold Chain to its approved roster of temperature-controlled containers for shipping pharmaceutical, biotech, and life science products in a new global rental agreement. The deal reinforces Saudia Cargo’s commitment to having the broadest possible selection of cold chain products (both in terms of cargo size and temperature requirements).
- A key benefit of Tower Cold Chain’s technology is its reliability in maintaining product integrity without electricity, even in extreme heat, meaning that a robust solution is required to prevent temperature excursions. Tower’s passive solutions are proven to maintain temperatures for up to 120 hours without intervention or external power.
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The Chilled Segment is Expected to Gain Traction in the Coming Years
- Pharmaceuticals and medical products often require strict temperature control to ensure their efficacy and safety. Chilled transportation plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of these products during transit. In July 2023, AD Ports Logistics (ADPL), a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, and Acino, a Swiss pharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures well-proven and innovative medicines, signed an agreement for ADPL to provide Acino with global freight forwarding services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- ADPL will use its fully integrated and GDP-certified end-to-end pharma cold chain capabilities to carry important drugs from Acino's worldwide sites of origin to markets in the MENA area under the terms of the deal. ADPL's Healthcare and Lifesciences division will be required to provide specific transport and handling skills for pharmaceutical items.
- The scope of the goods forwarding services will comprise first-mile transport, ports and airport loading, customs clearing, and final-mile logistics, according to the conditions of the agreement. Since its inception in 2020, ADPL has collaborated with global logistics companies to create one of the world's most integrated pharmaceutical supply chains capable of carrying medicines at storage temperatures ranging from -80°C to +25°C.
- In November 2022, Invictus Investment announced a capital investment of AED 2.8 million (USD 760,000) to acquire a fleet of more than eight refrigerated trucks to facilitate the transit of perishable commodities between Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
- The specially designed vehicles will deliver vital products such as cold lamb, beef, goat meat, and fruits. This is the first important purchase to help Invictus Investment extend its product and services in climate-controlled transport and storage facilities, prioritizing asset allocation.
