3 key trends in innovation of cool chain shipping

#1: Certification commoditization

While identifying and investing in tech and product solutions for cool-chain shipments are useful, it is important for customers to know these products are being leveraged responsibly across operations. Certifications have been developed for a variety of sensitive cargo shipments to ensure a standard level of quality shipping.

First it was pharma. Then it was live animals. Earlier this year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched its Center for Perishable Logistics, a.k.a. “CEIV-Fresh” certification, with launch partners the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Cathay Pacific, Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl). AeroMexico and Changi Airport (SIN) also announced plans to pursue the certification over the past two months, indicating a growing interest in the program.

As more stakeholders in logistics and air cargo join these programs, Cathay Pacific Cargo products manager Gary Sze believes standards for shipping will be pushed higher and certifications commoditized.

“Certifications will be an entry ticket in my opinion,” said Sze. “While existing certifications may allow for a larger range of temperature variance, many shippers are looking for a specific range of 0° to 2° Celsius.” This might be a high standard, he said, but this storage requirement could be developed into a sort of CEIV Fresh Platinum version of the existing certificate. This would not only enhance the quality of shipments, which now may vary more broadly, but also would give shippers a larger option of standards to choose from.