CEVA LOGISTICS has signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Ports to work with the Hope Consortium, which  is an umbrella organisation of the UAE-based public-private partnership set up to address the logistical challenges of distributing COVID-19 vaccines.

Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the Hope Consortium includes Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports, Rafed (the healthcare purchasing arm of ADQ – the Abu Dhabi Developmental holding company) and temperature-controlled ULD firm, Skycell along with a group of specially selected international freight forwarders, including CEVA Logistics.

The consortium has been put in place to handle the expected surge in vaccine volumes as production quantities grow.

Its aim is to provide a complete supply chain solution anywhere in the world which includes transportation, demand planning, sourcing and digital technology infrastructure. It believes it will be able to distribute billions of doses by the end of the year and will focus on vaccines from all types of manufacturers.

CEVA Logistics COO Guillaume Col said the delivery of vaccines around the world is the number-one priority for the logistics industry today.

“Our healthcare and pharma specialised teams have extensive experience in delivering vaccines and pharmaceutical products,” he said.

“Backed by a network of temperature-controlled warehouses and vehicles we are proud to support the Hope Consortium in achieving its goal.”