A Midlands transport and distribution specialist has revealed the scale of its involvement in the global Covid-19 vaccine roll-out.
By the end of 2021, Yusen Logistics – which has its UK headquarters in Northamptonshire, had delivered more than 300 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine around the world.
Since it was approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on December 30, 2020, Yusen Logistics has supported AstraZeneca in distributing the vaccine throughout its global GDP compliant network.
It has gone out to regions across the world, for allocation and distribution by governments and multilateral organisations.
James Colson, Yusen Logistics global key account director for AstraZeneca, said: “Effective communication is key to ensuring seamless supply and both AstraZeneca planners and Yusen Logistics supply chain experts liaise regularly around the clock coordinating the movements of the vaccine throughout Europe and beyond.
“It is a testament to both organisations that we have managed to overcome all challenges with viable, robust and compliant solutions.
‘’We’re extremely proud of our expertise and achievements and are honoured to contribute to this global vaccine rollout.”
Mr Colson said the vaccine was manufactured within Astra Zeneca’s global supply network which spans 15 countries and 25 different manufacturing sites.
EU supply and transportation is managed by Yusen’s European Control Tower and shipped from Yusen’s healthcare hub in Benelux fulfilling regional, global and COVAX demand.
Tony Shore, AstraZeneca freight and supplier director, said: “AstraZeneca rapidly conducted due diligence with numerous partners to build a global supply to help meet demand for the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Yusen Logistics have been instrumental in delivering the vaccine to the required destinations across the globe.”
Yusen Logistics was established in 1955 and currently has more than 24,000 employees worldwide at more than 550 locations in 45 countries, plus 28 million sq ft of warehousing space.
Its European operation is based in The Netherlands and employs 5,500 people in 17 countries.
Services range from supply chain management and consulting, through to contract logistics, hazardous materials logistics and reverse logistics.
It also provides road and rail transport, air and ocean freight forwarding, intermodal and multi-modal transport, plus customs brokerage.
