DHL Global Forwarding ships COVID-19 vaccines weekly as Australia rolls out vaccination program

• Delivery
  will take place on a weekly basis further to the first successful delivery on
  February 15
• Marks
  expansion of DHL’s global presence in vaccine logistics

SYDNEY,
AUSTRALIA�- Media
OutReach - 24 February 2021 - To support the Australian
government’s inoculation program, DHL Global Forwarding, the air and
ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, will deliver additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines on a
weekly basis into the country. DHL Global Forwarding
arranged for the collection and airfreight of the vaccines from the manufacturing
site in Europe and upon the vaccines’ arrival in Australia, handled the customs
clearance and final delivery to a designated location.

 

“Logistics plays a critical role in getting vaccines to where
it is urgently needed. Globally, across many markets, our cold-chain network
and pharmaceutical logistics expertise have meticulously planned every last
detail to manage an extremely complex operation seamlessly,” said Charles
Kaufmann, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding North Asia & South Pacific.

 

The strength of DHL’s global logistics network is deployed in
Australia’s on-going response to the COVID-19. In December last year, the
Australian Department of Health announced contracts
with logistics partners, including DHL Supply Chain, to “design and operate a national distribution
network” to support nationwide vaccinations even in remote and hard to reach
areas.  

 

“The shipments
were delivered on time, and most importantly, in the right condition according
to strict requirements. That’s the result of many months of rigorous planning to
ensure the vaccines are delivered within the fastest possible time while
ensuring the quality, safety and security of these critical shipments,” said
George Lawson, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Australia.

 

“Connecting People, Improving Lives is part of our Group’s
core purpose. As we join the global response to the pandemic, we live this by
doing what we do best — providing first rate logistics in the communities we
operate in,” Lawson added.

 

Across DHL’s dedicated
global network, more than 9,000 specialists work to connect pharmaceutical and
research organizations, wholesalers and distributors, as well as hospitals and
healthcare providers across the value chain. With this contract, the logistics
expert for air, ocean and road freight expands its global presence in vaccine
distribution.

 

DHL’s portfolio for the
healthcare industry includes 150+ pharmacists, 20+ clinical trials depots, 100+
certified stations, 160+ GDP-qualified warehouses, 15+ GMP-certified sites,
135+ medical express sites, and an international network covering 220 countries
and territories.

 

On a global scale,
logistics providers are challenged to establish
medical supply chains rapidly to deliver vaccines of unprecedented amount of
more than 10 billion doses worldwide — also in regions with less developed
logistics infrastructure, where approximately 3 billion people live. To provide global coverage of the next
two years, DHL estimated in its vaccine whitepaper report that up to 200,000 pallet shippers and 15 million
cooling boxes as well as 15,000 flights will be required across the
various supply chain setups.

 

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the
leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an
unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and
international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions,
international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain
management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and
territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and
reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions
for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and
healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail,
DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

 

DHL is part of Deutsche Post
DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 63 billion euros in 2019.
With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the
environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche
Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.