• Rigorousplanning and testing to ensure supply chain supports vaccine's stringenttemperature requirements

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 21 December 2020- DHL, the leading globalbrand in the logistics industry today announced the successful delivery of thefirst batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Singapore. The vaccines arrived on a cargo flightfrom Brussels, Belgium to Singapore. Temperature trackers equipped withsophisticated GPS are also packed within each thermal shipper box to providefull visibility throughout the shipment's entire journey.  

DHL GlobalForwarding arranged for the collection of the vaccines from the manufacturingsite in Puurs, Belgium where the cargo was accompanied by security escorts onthe road to the Brussels International Airport. The cargo arrived atSingapore's Changi International Airport on December 21 where DHL handled thecustoms clearance and final delivery to a designated location in Singapore. Thecompany will also handle the return of these special shipper boxes to Europe.

Throughout thejourney, the vaccine shipments were tracked by DHL. "Globally, we have beenpreparing for many months to ensure DHL's solutions were heavily tested withthe most stringent vaccine requirements in mind. We ran trials to ensure theviability of the deliveries. Every effort was made to ensure the vaccines aredelivered within the fastest possible time, ensuring the quality, safety andsecurity of these critical shipments," said Kelvin Leung, CEO, DHL GlobalForwarding Asia Pacific.

"Connecting People,Improving Lives is part of our core purpose. The pandemic has shown that welive this by doing what we do best -- providing first-rate logistics anywhere inthe world. When the pandemic first started, we were shipping large quantitiesof personal protective equipment (PPE) to communities that urgently needed it.We have now come full circle, shipping the first vaccines around the world sothat they can be used to save lives," he added.

More than 9,000 specialists work across DHL's dedicated global networkso that pharmaceutical, medical devices, clinical trials and researchorganizations, wholesalers and distributors, as well as hospitals andhealthcare providers are connected across the value chain and throughdigitalization, from clinical trials to point of care, and every step inbetween. 

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 a time-definiteinternational express network covering 220 countries and territories.

On a global scale, logistics providers are challenged to establish medical supply chains rapidly todeliver vaccines of unprecedented amount of more than 10 billion dosesworldwide -- 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 inits vaccine whitepaper report that up to 200,000 pallet shippers and 15 millioncooling boxes as well as 15,000 flights will be required across thevarious supply chain setups.

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHLis the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offeran unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and internationalparcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, internationalexpress, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management.With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territoriesworldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enablingglobal sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth marketsand industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering,manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisivelypositioned as "The logistics company for the world".

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