Co-organised by Pharma.Aero and the University of Antwerp (Belgium), the third edition of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass (PLMC) was held from 4 to 8 September 2023 in Singapore, in partnership with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). This year’s PLMC attracted over 135 pharma logistics professionals, international academics and industry experts from 24 countries.
Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines Cargo (SIA) and PSA BDP were strategic sponsors of the event.
"We are thrilled to be in Singapore for another highly anticipated Pharma Logistics Masterclass, poised to build upon the success of our previous editions. The unwavering collaboration with our esteemed members and partners guarantees that this state-of-the-art pharma logistics masterclass will continue to surpass expectations. Special appreciation goes to those who have been steadfast supporters since the inaugural edition – Etihad, Cold Jet, DSV, and va-Q-tec – along with SkyCell, Changi Airport Group, PSA BDP, Singapore Airlines, Brussels Airport Company, JAS Worldwide, Swissport, Qatar Airways, and Lainpharma." — Trevor Caswell, Chairman of Pharma.Aero
The PLMC creates a special opportunity for industry professionals to gain more in-depth knowledge and receive insights into how pharmaceutical supply chains are organized and logistics processes are optimized through applied technology. At this year’s PLMC, industry experts gave an overview on the global pharmaceutical market:
At the PLMC, industry experts also spoke about the medical innovations that are changing the landscape of pharma logistics. These included advanced mRNA technology, rise of tele-health, capitalisation on augmented and virtual reality, along with AI adaptation, as well as new drug therapies. The rise of tele-health also prompted pharma companies to adapt to the increased demand of home delivery of medications. New drug therapies often require specialized storage and handling to ensure product integrity. Overall, the pharma logistics landscape is evolving rapidly to accommodate the changing healthcare, but still with a strong focus on ensuring the efficient and secure distribution of vaccines, medication and therapies worldwide.
Sustainability in pharma logistics was another key topic discussed at this year’s PLMC. A key discussion was on improving efficiencies in the pharma supply chains. Aside from adopting technologies, the industry should also work at improving vehicle efficiency via electrification of vehicles and equipment. Secondly, enhancing trip efficiency e.g., crowdshipping such as integrating passenger and freight transport , and making operational improvements, so that fewer vehicles or trips are required, resulting in less emissions. Thirdly, relooking system efficiency, such as by reconfiguring supply chains and sourcing locally, and collaborative logistics. The PLMC also discussed the circular economy of waste management to keep the value of products, components and materials circulating in the economy.
At the Welcome Reception hosted by the Belgium Embassy to Singapore and the Flanders Investment & Trade, a panel discussion was organised around the topic of Safeguarding and Anticipating Healthcare Supply Chain Resiliency, with panelists from Singapore and Belgium sharing their experiences and the lessons gleaned from Covid-19 that played a key role in enhancing the management of the healthcare supply chain. Changi Airport Group’s Jaisey Yip (Vice President, Cargo Business Division) shared about how the Changi Air Cargo Hub worked with our air cargo community to overcome uncertainties and prepare for the Covid-19 vaccines distribution, along with Changi’s efforts with the air cargo industry to drive initiatives to enhance capabilities in pharma logistics.
Green Air Pharma Logistics (GAPL) Workshop
On Day 5, Pharma.Aero, together with CAG, jointly ran the Green Air Pharma Logistics (GAPL) workshop with the Masterclass participants. The GAPL project aims to explore and define the parameters and framework of a green air pharma lane, including the development of a set of criteria to support pharma shippers and freight forwarders in their environmental sustainability consideration during their freight procurement and lane assessment process and towards achieving their Scope 3 emission targets.
During the workshop, the participants developed actionable design thinking ‘How Might We’ questions in developing a green air pharma lane, guided by the key insights and problem statements from the earlier industry consultations with pharma shippers airlines, and freight forwarders. Then, the workshop brainstormed and identified a set of assessment criteria in defining and measuring a green air pharma lane. The Pharma.Aero GAPL workgroup plans to update the industry on the collaborative set of parameters and measurements jointly contributed by the PLMC participants through a white paper.
Truck Dock Slot Booking (TDSB) is a digital initiative that allows freight forwarders and trucking companies to book timeslots to pick up and lodge cargo more seamlessly, with less waiting times. Additionally, TDSB improves productivity by allowing your business to allocate your manpower and resources more effectively.
With a few simple steps, transform your cargo operations with TDSB. Book a Slot, Arrive at the timeslot, and Collect or Lodge your cargo!
Click HERE or Scan the QR code in the poster to register your interest today!
In building a more sustainable air cargo hub, Changi Airport adopts a broad-based and community approach. We are focusing on four key areas, which are to encourage the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), enhancing infrastructure and operational efficiencies, driving digitalisation initiatives, and promoting better waste management through a circular economy.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Changi is supporting our airline partners in their adoption of SAF, which is anticipated to contribute to approximately 65% of the aviation industry's emission reduction goals. In May 2023, Neste completed its refinery expansion, which will enable up to one million tonnes of annual SAF production capacity in Singapore. Domestic SAF production will enable Changi Airport’s airline partners to achieve their sustainability objectives with lower carbon footprint compared to importing SAF from other production locations.
Since July 2022, the Singapore Airlines Group commenced a year- long trial to uplift a blend of regular jet fuel and SAF for its departing flights out of Changi. The pilot marked the first time blended SAF was inducted into Changi Airport’s fuel hydrant system and delivered to Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights departing from Singapore. Since then, Cebu Pacific, Japan Airlines, and China Airlines have also conducted SAF trials at Changi Airport.
Infrastructure and Operational Efficiencies
Changi is also enhancing its infrastructure, of which the airport is working to transition its airside vehicles to run on cleaner energy. By 2025, all of Changi's new airside light vehicles, forklifts, and tractors will be electric. By 2040, all airside vehicles should be fuelled by cleaner energy. To date, Changi has installed a network of more than 100 EV charging points that supports a 100% electric baggage tractor fleet at Changi Airport. To enable this next phase of airside fleet electrification, Changi will expand its charging network to more than 300 points over the next few years, in tandem with the needs of its airport partners. For vehicles and specialised equipment that do not have viable electric alternatives, CAG is conducting trials for these vehicles to be powered by renewable diesel. EV charging infrastructure at the Changi Airfreight Centre (CAC) will also progressively be upgraded.
Digitalisation Initiatives
Changi is also pursuing technology and digitalisation in reducing carbon impact from our air cargo operations. We are rolling out community- wide digitalisation initiatives such as Truck Dock Slot Booking (TDSB), which aims to expedite cargo collection and lodgement, and optimise resources and productivity at the cargo terminals. Alongside reduced truck idling times, the TDSB initiative will substantially reduce CO2 emissions from trucking operations.
Reducing Waste, Building Circularity
CAG is committed to improve waste management at the CAC. CAG is working to encourage its tenants to recycle by enhancing recycling facilities at CAC and engaging the cargo community to better manage their waste, striving towards a circular economy.
Find out more about Changi’s sustainability efforts in Changi Airport’s Annual Report 2022/2023.
Singapore Airlines Cargo (SIA) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) co- exhibited in the 16th edition of Asia Fruit Logistica exhibition held in Hong Kong, from 6th to 8th September 2023. The event attracted more than 700 exhibitors from 42 countries. The exhibition was well represented by the global fresh fruits and vegetables industry, such as growers, importers, exporters, buyers, distributors and logistics companies.
SIA and CAG jointly showcased Changi Air Cargo Hub’s cold chain capabilities in handling temperature-sensitive perishable shipments. The co-branded booth attracted new and existing business partners to get a better understanding of Changi’s air network and connectivity and SIA’s THRUFRESH product.
The import and export performance of key Asian fresh fruits and vegetables markets in 2022 were also published during the event:
dnata has partnered with logistics technology solutions provider Speedcargo to launch the implementation of Cargo Eye and Assemble solutions to Etihad Cargo at Changi Airport. Cargo Eye uses advanced, vision-based 3D technology to scan and capture a cargo’s exact dimensions, volume data, images, and labels, providing a comprehensive digital record. This information is then fed into Assemble which creates a digital plan, advising dnata’s highly trained cargo handling teams of the optimal method of building a pallet. The innovative solutions ensure Etihad Cargo maximises cargo capacity, while becoming more efficient and sustainable. Both Cargo Eye and Assemble seamlessly integrate into dnata’s existing warehouse management system. dnata will also be extending the AI-powered cargo solutions to other airline partners for their consideration to integrate their business operations.
Charles Galloway, dnata’s Regional CEO, Airport Operations – Asia Pacific, said: "dnata is proud to lead the digitisation of cargo processes through innovative technology solutions. Working alongside Speedcargo, Cargo Eye and Assemble will enable us to provide Etihad Cargo and its customers with digital audit trails of how their cargo has been handled, improving efficiency, and providing a quality end-to-end service. We will continue to create value and enhance our service offerings through digitalisation." dnata’s Singapore facilities are the first in its vast global network to implement the Cargo Eye and Assemble technology. Speedcargo is working with dnata to roll out the service at further global stations. Read more here.
Since 2020, Changi Airport Group has been conducting questionnaires with our freight forwarding community on a quarterly basis as a pulse check of the prevailing operating climate of the air cargo industry.
In the recent Singapore Air Cargo Climate Survey conducted in end June, freight forwarders’ feedback was obtained on the near-term air cargo demand as well as supply chain shifts.
Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainties and inflationary pressures, more than half of the respondents opined that air cargo volumes will be worse in Q3 2023 as compared to the previous quarter.
Notwithstanding the softening of air cargo demand, respondents shared that they expect the high demand inbound and outbound air cargo commodities in Q3 2023 to be Electronics, Aerospace Parts and Capital Equipment.
To receive the full report of the survey results, we encourage our local freight forwarding community to participate in our quarterly survey. Understanding the ongoing trends in the air cargo demand and supply situation help the industry better respond to the immediate opportunities and challenges.
To our local freight forwarders, do reach out to the CAG cargo team via cagcld@changiairport.com if you would like to receive the survey link on a quarterly basis. We thank you in advance for your support and participation.
 |
