Rigorous planning and testing to ensure supply chain supports vaccine’s stringent temperature requirements

TOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach - 16 February 2021 - DHL, theleading global brand in the logistics industry today announced the successfuldelivery of the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on a cargo flight fromBelgium to Japan. The first of numerous shipments that will be deliveredthroughout the year, the vaccines were packed with sophisticated GPS andtemperature trackers in each thermal shipper box to provide full visibilitythroughout the shipment's entire journey. DHL Global Forwarding also handledthe customs clearance in Japan, and will dispatch the vaccines to vaccinationfacilities across Japan.

"We are proud to play a role in helping the people of Japanreceive their vaccinations for COVID-19, which has upended lives and businesseshere. While DHL Global Forwarding's well-established cold-chain network andpharmaceutical logistics expertise were key to the success of the shipment, ourdedicated employees were the true unsung heroes who meticulously planned everylast detail to manage an extremely complex operation seamlessly," said KelvinLeung, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

To safely store thevaccines at -70 degrees until the final domestic delivery, freezers wereinstalled at the storage facility, where additional workers have been employedto support the operations.

Charles Kaufmann, CEO, North Asia & South Pacific, DHLGlobal Forwarding and President/ Representative Director, DHL Global ForwardingJapan K.K. added, "We have more than 9,000 life science and healthcare specialistsacross our global network. Over the past few months, our specialist teams in Japan, together with our globalcounterparts have spent countless hours planning,strategizing and stress-testing our network and infrastructure to ensure we have the capability to move vaccines safely inaccordance with the strictest requirements." 

Across the globe, DHL has been entrusted with the shipmentsof COVID-19 vaccines to Singapore, Israel, and Europeancountries including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Finland,Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Romania and Sweden.

DHL's portfolio for the lifescience and healthcare industry includes 150+ pharmacists, 20+ clinical trialsdepots, 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.

Globally, logistics providers are challenged to establish medical supply chains rapidly to deliver vaccines ofunprecedented amount of more than 10 billion doses worldwide, including inregions with less developed logistics infrastructure, whereapproximately three billion people live. To provide global coverage over 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

DHL is the leading globalbrand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalledportfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parceldelivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express,road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHLconnects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling globalsustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets andindustries 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.