The IATA CEIV Pharma is a globally recognised certification programme that ensures compliance with global pharmaceutical guidelines. Staff must undergo training and companies must meet stringent criteria on pharmaceutical handling before this qualification can be awarded.
With the launch of this new community, CAG will help six companies from various areas of the air cargo supply chain to achieve this accreditation, by providing financial support and training sessions. Also offering its assistance will be the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Singapore Workforce Development Agency, which will provide assistance grants. The first companies in the new CEIV Community include cargo carriers, freight forwarders and ground handlers, specifically SIA Cargo, Global Airfreight International, Expeditors Singapore, dnata Singapore, CEVA Logistics Singapore and Schenker Singapore. In time, additional cargo partners will join the community and receive CAG’s assistance in acquiring CEIV accreditation.
Speaking on behalf of Changi Airport Group, Yam Kum Weng, Executive Vice President, Air Hub & Development, said: “Pharmaceutical cargo is one of the fastest growing cargo segments in Changi Airport, and one that CAG is actively promoting.
“Transporting high-value, temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo can be complex due to the multiple requirements. Today, with dedicated cold chain handling facilities by key cargo partners at Changi, coupled with our excellent connectivity, Changi is well-positioned to be a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub in Asia. 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,” Yam Kum Weng concluded.
With the start of this initiative, Changi airport becomes the first in Asia to operate a community of this kind. This accolade comes in addition to its ranking amongst the top ten cargo hubs worldwide and, it is hoped, will further the progress of its thriving pharmaceuticals division, which grew by an impressive 45% year-on-year in 2015.
