Crisis-Proofing Pharma: The new rules of supply chain survival

The world today is defined by uncertainty. Wars in key trade corridors, shipping route diversions through the Red Sea, inflationary pressures, and rising energy costs have reshaped the way goods move across continents. Added to that are the after-effects of the pandemic, which exposed how fragile global logistics networks can be. It is now clear that resilience is not a choice but a necessity. For the pharmaceutical industry, these challenges are even more critical. Medicines, vaccines, and biological products cannot wait in transit or risk temperature deviations. Every delay and every disruption can directly impact human lives.

This has placed enormous pressure on logistics providers. They now have to ensure seamless end-to-end movement of pharmaceutical products, maintaining strict temperature and time controls while navigating unpredictable geopolitical, economic, and environmental conditions. As global supply chains evolve, the mission is not just to deliver cargo but to deliver confidence.

When every degree and every hour matters
Pharmaceutical logistics is unlike any other supply chain. It is not about bulk goods but about human health. From vaccines and insulin to cell and gene therapies, every shipment requires precise control of temperature, humidity, and handling. Even a brief exposure to unsuitable conditions can compromise an entire batch.

Recent years have shown how fragile this system can be. During the pandemic, cargo capacity disappeared overnight as passenger flights were grounded. Climate events such as heatwaves, floods, and cold snaps have disrupted key trade lanes. Conflicts and route blockages in Europe and the Middle East have added new layers of risk. In this context, resilience means more than backup plans; it means having visibility, redundancy, and the ability to act before disruptions cause damage.

“By combining real-time and historical data, we can make faster and better decisions to keep products moving safely, no matter the disruption,” says Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding. DHL has been investing in temperature-controlled facilities, digital monitoring tools, and trained experts who ensure compliance at every stage. The company’s growing Life Sciences and Healthcare network connects over 50 dedicated pharma hubs globally, designed to handle everything from vaccines to precision therapies.

Cold chain at the heart of resilience

Temperature control remains the single biggest factor in protecting pharmaceutical shipments. Whether it involves deep-frozen vaccines, biologics, or general healthcare products, logistics providers have been expanding infrastructure and integrating advanced monitoring systems to maintain stability.

Hactl’s Cool Chain Complex in Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most advanced facilities for handling sensitive cargo. It offers multiple temperature zones ranging from -20°C to +25°C, with direct airside access to minimise exposure. “This facility is designed not just for today but for tomorrow,” says Wilson Kwong, Chief Executive of Hactl. “It ensures that all temperature-sensitive shipments, from pharmaceuticals to biologics, are handled in a fully controlled environment.”

It ensures that all temperature-sensitive shipments, from pharmaceuticals to biologics, are handled in a fully controlled environment - Wilson Kwong, Hactl 

Airlines, too, are reinforcing their capabilities. Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product is a certified solution built around precision monitoring and predictive analytics. Fabrice Panza, Etihad’s Global Head of Pharma Development, explains, “We have invested heavily in technology that gives customers real-time visibility and control. From the moment a shipment is booked, it is tracked, managed, and safeguarded by trained teams, regardless of weather or congestion.”

Similarly, FedEx has expanded its Life Sciences Centres and upgraded cold-chain facilities across major hubs. “We use advanced analytics to predict potential risks and activate contingency plans before they escalate,” says Eric Tan, Managing Director of FedEx Singapore. “Every shipment is monitored continuously, and our systems are designed to maintain the required conditions even if there is an unexpected delay.”

Kuehne+Nagel has also strengthened its cold chain through its HealthChain service, offering multimodal solutions with predictive monitoring. “We do not just move shipments but manage risks before they arise,” says Deepak Kumar, National Air Logistics Manager for India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. Their integration of QuickSTAT ultra-cold storage ensures compliance for new-generation therapies that require deep-frozen conditions of up to -80°C.

Brussels Airport has also become a benchmark for pharma handling excellence in Europe. Dimitri Bettoni, Head of Cargo Product and Network Development, explains that the airport offers the largest CEIV temperature-controlled warehouse space supported by advanced digital systems and a dense road network. “We were the first airport in the world where the entire cargo community achieved CEIV Pharma certification. This set the global standard for quality and compliance,” he says. To maintain end-to-end temperature control, Brussels Airport uses tailored Airside Pharma Transporters developed with industry partners. These ensure a seamless temperature-controlled process up to the aircraft. The airport is also a central hub for the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG), which is developing a secure logistics model for patient-specific therapies that require fast and tightly controlled handling.

Technology and visibility drive control

The defining change in pharmaceutical logistics is technology. With digitisation and IoT now deeply integrated into supply chains, logistics players can track, analyse, and respond to disruptions in real time. Data has become the new form of resilience.

At Hactl’s Integrated Control Centre, every aspect of terminal operations, including airside handling, storage, and transfers, is monitored 24/7 through its own 5G-enabled network. “This ensures full transparency for customers,” Kwong explains. “They can see exactly where their shipments are and how they are being handled, which builds trust in the system.”

DHL and FedEx are applying AI and data analytics to optimise routes, predict delays, and automate decision-making. DHL’s IoT systems send live alerts if temperatures fluctuate even slightly, while FedEx’s SenseAware ID sensors provide real-time insights into the exact location and condition of pharma shipments globally. These technologies mean that logistics teams can intervene before a shipment is at risk, rather than reacting afterward.

Etihad has introduced its SmartTrack platform for PharmaLife, offering complete shipment visibility to customers through mobile or web dashboards. “It is a game-changer,” says Panza. “We have built a connected ecosystem that links cargo data, ground operations, and customer interfaces, ensuring transparency at every step.”

We have built a connected ecosystem that links cargo data, ground operations, and customer interfaces, ensuring transparency at every step - Fabrice Panza, Etihad

For Kuehne+Nagel, predictive analytics has become central to its strategy. Its HealthChain ecosystem analyses historical data, weather patterns, and airport congestion trends to recommend optimal transport routes, minimising risk and improving delivery reliability.

Collaboration as a shield against uncertainty
In a globally fragmented logistics landscape, collaboration is proving to be the strongest line of defence. Pharma supply chains depend on coordination among multiple partners such as manufacturers, forwarders, airlines, airports, and regulators.

FedEx, Etihad, DHL, and Brussels Airport are all active members of initiatives like Pharma.Aero, which fosters cooperation between pharma manufacturers and logistics providers to ensure globally aligned handling standards. “We believe collaboration is the foundation of reliability,” says Panza. “It ensures every stakeholder, right from the factory to the final mile, operates with the same standards of care.”

Dimitri Bettoni adds that Pharma.Aero plays a crucial role in strengthening resilience through masterclasses and information sharing. “It is a powerful cross-industry collaboration platform that helps ensure temperature-sensitive products are handled with the highest standards of quality and efficiency,” he says. Brussels Airport also works with Air Cargo Belgium to align stakeholders on lane-specific SOPs and quality processes. The airport’s BRUcloud community platform allows data sharing, slot booking, and coordination across partners. “Community coordination and shared KPIs are key to managing complex pharma logistics,” Bettoni explains. “Our goal is to maintain the integrity of every shipment, regardless of the challenges.”

Balancing resilience and sustainability

 While building stronger supply chains, companies are also addressing their environmental footprint. Sustainability is now an integral part of resilience. DHL is pioneering sustainable cold-chain packaging and using energy-efficient vehicles for last-mile delivery. FedEx continues to expand its electric fleet and enhance facility energy performance. Etihad has introduced sustainable aviation fuel flights for pharma cargo on select routes, and Kuehne+Nagel has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality across its supply chain operations by 2030.

“Resilience and sustainability can coexist,” says Tan. “It is not enough to just move goods efficiently; we must do it responsibly.”

The road ahead: Resilience through adaptation

The pharmaceutical logistics industry is entering a new era where disruptions are constant but innovation is faster. Advanced therapies such as gene and cell treatments will require even more precise temperature control and faster transit times. Digital twins, AI forecasting, and integrated control centres will become standard.

As Oscar de Bok notes, “It is not just about moving products; it is about building trust and accountability across the entire journey, from production to patient.”

The key lies in readiness. Every company, from air cargo operators to forwarders, is learning that resilience is not a static goal but a continuous process. It involves predicting, adapting, and collaborating across borders and industries.

From Hong Kong’s ultra-modern terminals to Abu Dhabi’s digital control towers and Europe’s cold-chain corridors, a new kind of logistics ecosystem is taking shape. It is intelligent, interconnected, and resilient by design. And at its centre lies a simple truth: the safe, timely, and compliant delivery of medicine is not just a supply chain goal; it is a moral obligation.