Just-in-time COVID-19 logistics by Saudi-based Naqel

Naqel’s Pharma division has played a major role in extending its supply chain solutions towards Covid-19 mitigation efforts by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health.

During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Naqel played an important role in the transportation of Covid-19 samples from various healthcare service providers in the Kingdom to the testing labs. Besides, Naqel processed and cleared 13 air charters and 78 trailer loads of medical consignments for the Ministry of Health to support the Kingdom’s fight against the pandemic.

The next phase of Covid-19 mitigation involves express transportation and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines from vaccine manufacturers around the world to our customers’ doorsteps in the Kingdom.

Since 2018, Naqel has invested over SR250 million ($66.66 million) in developing its temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure, ranging from cold chain clearance to temperature controlled during the last mile distribution.

Cold storage solutions: Facilities with temperature-controlled solutions for vaccines were set up at Naqel’s facilities at the Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam airports with airside access and 24x7 operations, and priority clearance for vaccine consignments.

The company has built international goods distribution practice (GDP) compliant cold storage hubs and distribution networks in all main cities: Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Abha. Besides, Naqel has now built capabilities of providing packaging solutions that maintain temperatures required for storing vaccines (-70 deg C and -20 deg C).

Cold chain distribution: Naqel has developed 20 distribution hubs and implemented 24x7 monitoring of both shipment movement and temperature levels across all its distribution hubs. The company has launched more than 300 temperature control vehicles in the Kingdom dedicated for vaccine distribution.

The transportation infrastructure has been developed to reach and deliver any vaccine consignment within 24 hours to healthcare centres and individuals anywhere in the Kingdom including the remotest locations.

Special sensors and controls are used during the transportation journey to measure, monitor and control the active temperatures on a real-time basis. Specialised staff experienced in the handling and processing of pharmaceutical cold chain consignments are working 24x7 to support its suppliers.

Thus, Naqel is providing complete end-to-end solutions that will cover the entire vaccination journey, from the vaccine suppliers until its delivery to the hospitals and other healthcare service providers across the Kingdom.

Coordination centres in source countries: Naqel has set up coordination centres in the key source countries in Europe, the US and Asia to coordinate the pickup and transportation of vaccine consignments to clearance points in Saudi Arabia. Besides, Naqel has worked jointly with a group of companies in Germany to develop cold chain storage solutions to meet the temperature requirements for Covid-19 vaccination manufactured by Pfizer.

“A successful vaccination programme requires secure storage and safe and efficient distribution of vaccines. Our cold storage and distribution facilities are flexible, scalable, and tested to meet the requirements of the last mile customers,” says Fahad Al Salhi, Director, Pharma Business Solutions, Naqel Express. —Tradearabia News Service

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