DB Schenker transports hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 tests from South Korea to different parts of the world
As part of the fight against the epidemic, the logistics operator daily delivers Corona test kits from the Korean pharmaceutical company SD Biosensor around the world. The largest batches of tests go to the countries with the highest number of infected people.
"Given the reduction in cargo capacity on passenger airline flights, for many manufacturers, not only test systems, but also personal protective equipment and medical equipment, it is problematic to ensure timely delivery of their products to where they are most urgently needed. In this case, in a short time, our company has developed alternative solutions for transporting medical cargo from the company's production facilities near Seoul to various regions of the world. We strive to help the global community defeat the pandemic as quickly as possible, providing prompt delivery and finding innovative solutions where it would seem impossible, " said CEO of DB Schenker cluster Russia/Eurasia Aivars Taurins.
For example, more recently DB Schenker has established a daily cargo air service between Shanghai and Munich. Three Icelandair Boeing 767 passenger planes are used on this route. Shuttles are intended exclusively for transporting medical equipment and protective equipment such as masks, gowns, gloves, etc. The lead time to delivery to the destination is from 5 to 7 days. To organize cargo shuttles, Icelandair specially re-equipped its aircraft by removing the passenger seats. This created more than 200 cubic meters of cargo space in the belly and on the passenger deck.
In this case, rapid delivery of rapid tests for COVID-19 will help more accurately determine the real picture of the spread of the virus, helping government agencies to more effectively implement measures to combat the epidemic.
"Today, SD Biosensor is one of the largest medical companies in Korea. It develops and produces rapid test kits for detecting antibodies to coronavirus. The test shows the result within 10-15 minutes, " added Aivars Taurins.
As a leading global logistics service provider, DB Schenker supports several major pharmaceutical developers in delivering test kits. For example, as part of a recently announced partnership with sports car manufacturer Porsche, dozens of Charter flights deliver medical equipment from China to Germany – including test kits for medical institutions.