Cathay Pacific Cargo has entered into a new partnership with va-Q-tec for passive temperature-controlled containers.

The containers will allow Cathay to offer more choice to customers of its Pharma LIFT portfolio of products, designed for the transportation of life-saving pharmaceuticals by air.

“We are delighted to partner with va-Q-tec in offering an innovative passive solution directly to our customers,” said Frosti Lau [right in photo], general manager of cargo service delivery at Cathay Pacific. “These advanced passive thermal containers can offer steady temperature-controlled conditions for several days without requiring external energy sources. Coupled with Cathay Pacific Cargo’s extensive network, we are confident the containers will benefit our customers around the world.”

The thermal containers are available in five different sizes and are capable of taking up to two US pallets inside. They can maintain six different temperature ranges, from -60°C to +25°C.

“We are delighted to be working with a strong partner like Cathay Pacific Cargo to make a major contribution to the temperature-controlled logistics market,” said Will Staddon, global partner manager at va-Q-tec UK. “Their ambition to provide a quality-driven service matches ours perfectly and this partnership signifies va-Q-tec’s continued growth in key pharma regions. va-Q-tec is expanding across the globe and is also significantly strengthening its presence in Asia Pacific.”

The company has established subsidiaries in South Korea and Japan, amongst other countries, and operates several container network stations.

“The pharmaceutical market is growing rapidly worldwide,” said In Sook Yoo, head of business development in Asia at va-Q-tec. “Thanks to the new collaboration, innumerable customers can lease va-Q-tec’s reliable containers directly from Cathay Pacific Cargo.”

Cathay Pacific became the first airline in Hong Kong to receive the International Air Transport Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics certification in October 2017.