MASkargo flies in first Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines from China to Malaysia
The Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines were flown in utilising MH Centigrade product designed explicitly for time and temperature-sensitive shipments.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) cargo subsidiary MABkargo Sdn. Bhd. (MASkargo) successfully flew in the first batch of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines from China to Malaysia on February 27. Flight MH319, utilising Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus 330- 300 aircraft featuring the Malaysian flag livery, departed from Beijing Capital International Airport at 0230hrs (Local Time) and safely landed at KL International Airport at 0900hrs.
Group chief executive officer of MAG, Captain Izham Ismail said, “We are honoured to play a significant role and collaborate with our strategic partner Pharmaniaga Berhad (Pharmaniaga) to ensure a smooth and successful operation in support of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.”
The Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines were flown in utilising MH Centigrade product designed explicitly for time and temperature-sensitive shipments. MH Centigrade caters to deep-frozen (-20˚C and below), refrigerated (2˚C to 8˚C) or chilled (15˚C to 25˚C) shipments using its Active Containers ACT (Envirotainer) and Passive Containers PCT (Normal ULD with dry ice and thermal blankets).
Pharmaniaga opted for the MH Centigrade product to cater to the vaccine’s temperature requirement of between 2˚C to 8˚C. This is achieved using a specially designed active refrigerating container manufactured by Envirotainer.
“Planning and coordination work with Pharmaniaga began several months ago to ensure a safe, secure and hygienic handling using the MH Centigrade a success,” said Ibrahim Mohamed Salleh, MASkargo chief executive officer.
The MAG Covid-19 Special Task Force, comprising of a group of skilled and trained employees across the MAG group of companies, was assigned to manage the temperature-sensitive cargo. in compliance with MASkargo’s Covid-19 Vaccine Handling and MH Centigrade SOPs.