(Updated Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, 9:05 ET with details on Air France KLM Martinair and SkyCell)
Express delivery and logistics giant UPS (NYSE: UPS) on Tuesday said it has invested in machines to produce dry ice for transport and storage of frozen COVID-19 vaccines, while Switzerland-based SkyCell revealed a new ultracold container that enables larger vaccine shipments by air because less dry ice is required.
The new investments come as governments and industry are racing to prepare for a massive logistics campaign to distribute billions of vaccine doses around the world, with early candidates requiring robust cold-chain capabilities because of their extreme temperature sensitivity.
UPS, one of a handful of top-tier logistics companies involved in the initial delivery rush of vaccines, said its health care supply chain unit can now produce up to 1,200 pounds of dry ice per hour at the company’s Worldport package hub in Louisville, Kentucky.
Spokesman David Graves said the manufacturing equipment represents UPS’ first production capacity of dry ice and that additional needs will be supplemented by third parties in Louisville, Ontario, Canada; and Dallas. “After thorough analysis, it was determined [those locations] represent the best logistics options for our air and ground networks, enabling us to reach populations most efficiently,” he said in an email.
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John Smith
Associated photo gives me chills. Scoop shovel is subject to spills over the side and front. 18″ between the tub and the box…can’t you move it adjacent, or put a guard down to avoid spillage? The scoop wielder is hardly dressed for the work. Loose sleeves and open collars allow dry ice to contact are skin if there is a slip and fall causing burns. Looks casual (sloppy).
Chris Grassi
I would assume that UPS was actually referring to Ontario, California, not Ontario, Canada. One of their regional super-hubs is in Ontario, California.
Stephen Webster
This is good FedEx and UPS and others need to work together. Any mistakes will cost lives. In Canada Purolator is also working on items along with possibly the military.