Etihad Cargo, in partnership with its cargo handler Etihad Airport Services Cargo (EASC), has added temperature-controlled cool dollies to EASC’s Abu Dhabi fleet.

The specialised containers will ensure the reliable and seamless transportation of high-value and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo between the carrier’s aircraft and state-of-the-art cool chain warehouse.

Thomas Schürmann, head of cargo operations and delivery at Etihad Cargo, said: “Etihad Cargo is committed to the safe, reliable and robust transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo via its IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife and IATA CEIV Fresh-certified products.

“Part of this commitment is ensuring cargo is transported between the aircraft and cool chain facilities as fast as possible and mitigating the risks associated with outdoor and environmental conditions during the cargo’s journey.”

Schürmann added: “These specialised containers not only control the temperature but also enable Etihad Cargo to access the data records, providing Etihad Cargo increased visibility of this Critical Control Point to reduce, eliminate and prevent hazards.”

Naresh Ranganathan, acting vice president of cargo at Etihad Airport Services Cargo, said: “We recognise the importance of a secured cool chain, and the demand from our airline and its customers to ensure their shipments are protected during their transit through Abu Dhabi International Airport.

“Therefore, we are very pleased to introduce these cool dollies, which will, in the initial phase, be used exclusively to transport pharmaceutical and perishable products to and from the aircraft from our cargo facilities.

“As a CEIV Pharma and Fresh-certified cargo handler, this further reiterates our commitment to providing best-in-class services to ensure the safe and efficient carriage of pharmaceuticals through our airport.”

The cool dollies can be set to a range of temperatures anywhere between +2 and +25 degrees Celsius, and an in-built alarm system sends alerts if the temperature fluctuates beyond the set parameters.

Offering high insulating capacity, a refrigeration cell made with a single-piece fibreglass panel, and reinforced wall, roof and floor panels, the state-of-the-art cool dollies provide a more robust temperature-controlled transportation solution.

The cool dollies also present a greener choice, promising a longer isolation cell life and easy and low-cost maintenance and significantly reducing overall consumption, fuel costs and environmental impact as a result of fewer thermal dispersion points and the dollies’ high thermal insulation and UV reflection properties.

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