The conclusion of the GS1 online talk between Jan Eberle, Industry Manager for Transport and Logistics at GS1 Switzerland, and Marco Gredig, CEO of air freight specialist Cargologic, about challenges in the vaccine supply chain: There is a great need for coordination. It won't work without it.

Last year, around 420,000 tons of air freight were handled in Kloten's approximately 80,000 square meters. "Everything's there," says Gredig. "I don't think we've had a giraffe yet." Cargologic, the largest provider of air freight handling in Switzerland, also proved well prepared for the transport of the vaccine. "Zurich is an important hub for pharmaceutical shipments from all over the world," says Gredig. The company is equipped for refrigerated transport. Tons of dry ice must be kept on hand to handle the vaccine at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius without interrupting the cold chain and potentially rendering it unusable. Cargologic, a subsidiary of Rhenus-Alpina based in Basel, plays a leading role in vaccine logistics in Zurich-Kloten.

Marco Gredig, CEO Cargologic

"It all started with the first signs of the pandemic in January 2020," says Gredig. "We had already begun to prepare (...) We actually thought we knew what was coming." But everyone was a bit surprised by the actual dimensions.

Cargologic secured its liquidity in consultation with Basel. Mandatory mask wearing was introduced for employees. "This didn't go down well at first. But we also had to protect our people." Individuals in high-risk groups were "immediately sent home." In addition, the workforce was informed about what measures were necessary and what were not necessary within the company.

Things really got going in March/April/May. Around 600 million masks were processed. Video conferences were organized, handling was trained, and a strategy program with live chat was developed. Gredig: "It was also important that everyone knew their wages were secure." Everything had been clarified with Rhenus Alpina. "The management from Germany even came by."

Photos: Cargologic

"We met with our colleagues from the airlines," says Gredig. One pallet contains 200,000 vaccine doses. "That was a size we could expect." Temperature ranges vary, as is well known. "One vaccine needs to be transported at minus 80 degrees Celsius, others can tolerate higher temperatures." Of course, as mentioned, handling temperature-controlled goods wasn't entirely new. "It's part of our everyday business," says Gredig. "We'll be able to handle it in the future, too."

There have been no cold chain disruptions in Switzerland like the one in Germany where 2,500 doses were deemed unusable. "At least I'm not aware of any," says Gredig.

Were temperature-controlled containers from the Swiss startup SkyCell also used? "We use them. However, which containers are ultimately used is more up to the individual airline." Of course, increased attention must also be paid to security issues to prevent the theft of valuable cargo. Just recently, jewelry worth 250,000 Swiss francs went missing in the airport area. Gredig: "At the moment, we are primarily concerned with the issue of IT security."

Jan Eberle wants to know why someone stays with the same employer—in this case, Cargologic—for almost two decades. Gredig: "We're a good team here. Good cooperation is simply crucial."

Here is the complete online talk in video