CEVA handles time-critical pharma charter from Italy to US

CEVA Logistics recently carried out a complex pharmaceutical air charter, moving temperature-sensitive medication from Italy to the United States within a tightly controlled time frame, highlighting the growing importance of precision in healthcare logistics.

The operation involved transporting large volumes of medication from a production site in Italy to the US, with the entire air transit and arrival process required to be completed within 24 hours. Maintaining strict temperature control throughout the journey was critical to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the shipment.

Handling the scale of the cargo was one of the main challenges, as it exceeded the capacity of standard commercial air freight options. The shipment also required a stable temperature environment at every stage, along with careful coordination of ground operations. To support this, nine specialised temperature-controlled trucks were used to move nearly 40 high-tech containers to the airport.

To meet these requirements, CEVA arranged a dedicated Boeing 747 full freighter, giving it full control over capacity and scheduling. The shipment was carried in 35 RAP active containers equipped with battery-powered cooling systems to maintain thermal stability. A 48-hour loading process was also managed to ensure continuous power supply and temperature control while the cargo was prepared and handled at the terminal.

The movement was designed as a seamless multimodal operation, beginning with temperature-controlled trucking in Italy and ending with final delivery in the United States after the flight landed in Chicago. By treating the shipment as a single, prioritised movement, delays were avoided and the risk of temperature deviations was reduced.

The shipment was delivered safely and on time, meeting all temperature compliance requirements. The use of a dedicated charter instead of commercial options ensured that the medication reached its destination without compromise, underlining the company’s ability to manage complex and time-sensitive healthcare logistics.