Dubai's Vaccine Logistics Alliance to expedite global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines

Dubai has established the Vaccine Logistics Alliance with a view to speeding up the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines across the world through Dubai.

The alliance would support World Health Organisation's (WHO) COVAX initiative and its efforts to equitably distribute two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, said a press release.

The logistics alliance combines the expertise and global reach of Emirates airline with DP World's worldwide network of ports and logistics operations, along with the infrastructure of Dubai Airports and International Humanitarian City to distribute vaccines worldwide.

It is also working with a broader set of stakeholders including pharmaceutical manufacturers, forwarders, government agencies and other entities for transportation of vaccines.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group said, "Together, we are able to store a large volume of vaccine doses at a time and bring in and distribute vaccines to any point around the world within 48 hours."

Emirates SkyCargo, cargo division of Emirates airline is a global leader in the air transportation of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, including vaccines. It has an extensive infrastructure and capabilities for secure and rapid transportation of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals.

DP World, a leader in global supply chain solutions with ports, terminals and logistics operations on every continent, is joining Dubai's initiative to transport, store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines.

DP World logistics operations will facilitate the collection of vaccines from manufacturing sites and deliver them to airports, seaports and dry ports for onward transportation.

DP World's global network of warehousing and distribution hubs will be used to store vaccines for time and temperature sensitive distribution to hospitals and clinics.

Dubai Airports, operator of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC), will be contributing to the effort by providing additional space at dedicated facilities at Dubai International (DXB).

The repurposed cargo facilities will act as storage for Covid-19 vaccines that will be transported through its interlinked operations at DXB and DWC.

International Humanitarian City (IHC) is the world's largest hub for humanitarian logistics based in Dubai.

It has vast expertise in humanitarian logistics for aid materials such as food and medicine in markets with limited infrastructure.