Bolloré Logistics sets up crisis unit to ensure cargo moves

Since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic Cargo iQ members have mobilised and worked together to meet global needs.

To meet health emergency needs, Bolloré Logistics set up a crisis unit to meet alternative transport plans for each shipment, combining flexibility and speed of execution.

This unit is made up of company experts in the pharma and life science sectors and relies on an international network covering 109 countries.

Owing to stricter measures throughout the Americas and Europe in response to the coronavirus outbreak, most passenger flights have been cancelled, creating a capacity crunch.

In response, Bolloré Logistics devised a plan using charters, partial charters and hard-block capacity on freighter flights to ensure the supply of pharmaceutical products to patients in this pandemic.

On 26 March, the logistics company teamed up with fellow Cargo iQ member Air France KLM Martinair Cargo to operate a Boeing 747-400F round-trip flight Amsterdam-Chicago-Amsterdam at the request of a US pharmaceutical company. Bolloré Logistics operates charter flights out of Amsterdam every Thursday.

The logistics company also worked with Cargo iQ member Cargolux on 6th April to move 12,800 packages of medical equipment containing masks, gloves, protective visors, and thermometers on a B747F to Shanghai, China.

In France, on 10th April, Bolloré Logistics received 333 m3 of medical equipment at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport from China on a company-chartered Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777F.

This successful operation was made possible thanks to the mobilisation of Groupe ADP, Bolloré Logistics and Cargo iQ member Qatar Airways Cargo.

Henri Le Gouis, CEO Europe of Bolloré Logistics: “We are happy to join other players at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport to ease the transportation of pharmaceutical products and protection masks, aimed to be distributed in all the France's regions.”

Qatar Airways Cargo is operating a large number of Boeing 777Fs with capacity of 100 tons each between China and France for its customers with the first freighter taking off on 8th April.

The freighters originate from Guangzhou and Shanghai and serve as an air bridge to France, delivering essential cargo and humanitarian aid.

On 10th, 11th and 12th April, Bolloré Logistics Nigeria airfreight teams were mobilised to ensure fast clearance of essential cargos arriving from Beijing, China, into Lagos Airport, Nigeria.

On board, five tons of sanitised hand gloves and 50 ventilators were delivered and distributed to hospitals and clinics in Abuja, Nigeria. This operation was conducted on behalf of a humanitarian program.