
The newly-launched Hope Consortium, a UAE-based public-private partnership, has bolstered its distribution capabilities following a strategic agreement with several leading international freight forwarders. The latest consortium partners, which include Agility, Aramex, Hellmann and Kuehne + Nagel, will help address the various logistical challenges, including ‘last mile deliveries’, providing a capacity of billions of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses by the end of 2021.
Spearheaded by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Hope Consortium appointed these global transport companies based on their ability to safely and effectively deliver vaccine doses under cold and ultra-cold conditions down to -80° C between transportation hubs, warehouses, medical facilities and other final destinations in over 170 countries.
Representing the top global and Abu Dhabi supply chain solution players, the Hope Consortium consists of Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Ports, Rafed – the healthcare purchasing arm of Abu Dhabi-based ADQ – and Switzerland’s SkyCell, which develops next-generation, temperature-controlled logistics containers for the pharmaceutical industry.
H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Alkaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “The Hope Consortium’s success relies upon the collaboration of public sector entities and leading private sector companies across the global logistics supply chain. The addition of Agility, Aramex, Hellmann and Kuehne + Nagel provides solid support and expertise to address multiple challenges and demonstrates the unrivalled global strength of the Hope Consortium.”