MAB Kargo is to undergo the IATA CEIV Pharma process, making it the first airline and cargo terminal in Malaysia to embark on certification.
The airline held a signing ceremony attended by MAB Kargo chief operations officer, Mohd Zulkefly Ujang and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regional vice president for Asia Pacific, Conrad Clifford, with Malaysia Aviation Group chief executive officer, Izham Ismail witnessing the signing.
The certification process will take about six months to complete and IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) involves undergoing training, as well as an assessment of facilities and processes by independent, IATA certified auditors to satisfy the strict requirements on pharmaceutical handling before receiving the certification.
MAB Kargo acting chief executive officer, Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi says: “We see great potential in pursuing the certification. Moving temperature-sensitive, high value pharmaceutical cargo can be challenging due to the multiple requirements and processes needed to cater for such shipment.
“Moving forward, with MAB Kargo’s dedicated cold chain handling service which is MH Centigrade that is supplemented by a cargo partner, Envirotainer, MAB Kargo will be well positioned to be the leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology cargo hub in South East Asia.”
Clifford adds: “The shipping of pharmaceutical products is the fastest growing segment in the airfreight industry. Given the sensitive nature of the products, it is necessary to establish global time and temperature standards and best practices to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products are not compromised when they are shipped by air.
“Today’s signing is a step in the right direction to ensure MAB Kargo is well placed to serve this important segment of the air cargo industry, and to give pharmaceutical companies the confidence that the cold chain integrity of the products will be maintained.”
