Expanding cold chain power to meet global demand

JOEL WOBMA, GLOBAL HEAD OF PHARMACEUTICAL LOGISTICS AT AIR FRANCE KLM MARTINAIR CARGO (AFKLMP CARGO), IS A MAN ACUTELY ATTUNED TO THE CRITICAL DEMANDS OF PHARMA AIRFREIGHT.

ACW: How is AFKLMP Cargo adapting its pharmaceutical logistics capabilities to meet the increasing global demand for temperature-controlled and time-critical shipments?

Joel Wobma: To meet the growing global demand for temperature-controlled shipments, we continue to invest in and expand our capabilities. This includes increasing cool cell capacity at our hubs and strengthening our network at outstations where demand is rising. For example, at CDG, we are converting an existing perishables cool cell into a facility dedicated exclusively to pharmaceuticals.

In parallel, we are closely monitoring developments in the time-critical segment and continuously enhancing our offering with more differentiated handling solutions. This includes the development of specialised pharma services for clinical trials, cell and gene therapies, and other precision medicines. These shipments require dedicated processes, priority handling, and proactive intervention rather than standard monitoring.

ACW: What investments is AFKLMP Cargo making in specialised infrastructure, such as advanced cold-chain facilities and monitoring technologies, to support the evolving needs of pharmaceutical clients?

Joel Wobma: In addition to ongoing investments in our cold-chain infrastructure, we are strengthening our capabilities in shipment traceability. In collaboration with our partners, we have deployed a worldwide tracking system to monitor pharmaceutical shipments in real time. This enables us to provide accurate, end-to-end visibility and reliable information throughout the shipment journey.

ACW: How does AFKLMP Cargo anticipate regulatory changes in pharmaceutical transport, and what steps are being taken to ensure ongoing compliance across international markets?

Joel Wobma: Regulatory compliance is treated as a strategic enabler, not a checkbox. AFKLMP Cargo maintains GDP and IATA CEIV Pharma certifications, supported by dedicated teams, structured processes, and continuous audits across our network.

In addition, we actively participate in industry-wide studies and consortia to anticipate evolving regulatory requirements and help shape emerging standards, rather than simply reacting to them.

ACW: In what ways is digitalisation – such as real-time tracking, data analytics, and automated documentation – expected to transform AFKLMP Cargo’s pharmaceutical shipment operations in the coming years?

Joel Wobma: Digitalisation is at the core of AFKLMP Cargo’s strategy. Based on customer feedback, we are recognised as a frontrunner in the industry when it comes to digital innovation. Our booking platform is a strong example, and we continue to invest in direct system-to-system connections with our customers to accelerate time to market, an important requirement in pharmaceutical logistics.

We are also enhancing our booking and customer response processes to deliver faster, more efficient service without compromising quality. The implementation of new ways of working, including the use of AI, will further strengthen our ability to serve customers with greater speed, accuracy, and reliability.

ACW: How is AFKLMP Cargo addressing the growing importance of supply chain transparency and data integrity in pharmaceutical logistics?

Joel Wobma: Transparency and data integrity are increasingly critical for pharmaceutical customers. AFKLMP Cargo addresses this by enhancing shipment visibility, implementing structured deviation reporting and strengthening CAPA governance across the network. Ongoing initiatives focus on improving data accuracy, system integration, and accountability at both hub and outstation level.

At the same time, we actively contribute to broader industry efforts to increase transparency. As part of our involvement in industry working groups, we support the enhancement of IATA milestones by adding greater granularity, including specific cold-chain steps, to further improve end-to-end visibility.

ACW: What role does sustainability play in the future of AFKLMP Cargo’s pharmaceutical transport strategy, particularly with regard to emissions reduction and environmentally responsible packaging?

Joel Wobma: Sustainability is an integral part of AFKLMP Cargo’s pharmaceutical strategy, without compromising compliance. A key example is the CO-based cool cell technology at Paris CDG, which significantly reduces environmental impact compared to conventional refrigerants while maintaining strict temperature control.

We also work closely with customers and partners to address Scope 3 emissions, recognising that sustainability requirements are increasingly driven by pharmaceutical manufacturers themselves.

Our approach focuses on three key areas:

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Collaboration on packaging: Working with pharma container providers and industry organisations, such as Smart Freight Centre, to optimise packaging, right-size solutions, and minimise waste.

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Lower-emission transport: Increasing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce transport-related emissions.

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Operational optimisation: Using data-driven insights to optimise routing and load planning, reducing empty repositioning and improving overall efficiency.

ACW: How is AFKLMP Cargo preparing for emerging pharmaceutical products, such as advanced biologics, cell and gene therapies, which often require highly specialised transport conditions?

Joel Wobma: Advanced therapies represent one of the fastest-growing and most complex segments in pharmaceutical logistics. AFKLMP Cargo is addressing this by developing dedicated time-sensitive services and actively participating in industry pilots and consortia to test end-to-end logistics models for these therapies.

Based on direct feedback from pharmaceutical companies, we have developed a specialised, critical, service offering. This includes, among other features, guaranteed access to capacity as well as tailored operational and commercial processes. These shipments are treated as patient-critical, where failure is not a commercial issue but a clinical one, requiring a fundamentally different service mind-set.

ACW: What partnerships or collaborations – whether with pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology providers, or logistics specialists – are likely to shape AFKLMP Cargo’s pharmaceutical logistics offering in the future?

Joel Wobma: Future capabilities are built through collaboration. AFKLMP Cargo works closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers, global forwarders, packaging providers, airports, and ground handlers, and actively participates in multi-stakeholder initiatives focused on precision therapies and cold-chain integrity.

We believe that strong partnerships drive efficiency, strengthen our strategic direction, and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes by enabling a more reliable and optimised supply chain.

ACW: How does AFKLMP Cargo foresee the role of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in improving reliability, risk management, and efficiency within pharmaceutical shipments?

Joel Wobma: Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are key enablers in the shift from reactive issue resolution to proactive risk prevention. Current initiatives focus on leveraging IoT and operational data to anticipate temperature deviations, congestion risks, and container inefficiencies.

This approach enhances reliability, strengthens risk management and improves cost efficiency over time, while supporting more consistent and resilient pharmaceutical supply chains.

ACW: What lessons were learned from recent global supply chain disruptions, and how is AFKLMP Cargo strengthening resilience within its pharmaceutical logistics network?

Joel Wobma: Recent disruptions have reinforced the importance of resilience, flexibility, and robust network design. AFKLMP Cargo’s dual-hub structure in Amsterdam and Paris proved critical during the pandemic and continues to provide redundancy and agility in today’s geopolitically complex environment.

ACW: How does AFKLMP Cargo plan to scale its pharmaceutical logistics services in response to the expected growth of global healthcare and vaccine distribution markets?

Joel Wobma: Industry data indicates that global air cargo is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 1.5% in chargeable weight, with certain pharmaceutical segments expanding at a significantly faster pace. Based on this analysis, AFKLMP Cargo is scaling its cold-chain capabilities at key hubs and working closely with handling partners worldwide to support anticipated growth.

In addition to infrastructure investments, we are enhancing our digital capabilities to enable more efficient and scalable operations. At the same time, we continue to invest in specialised teams, recognising that, ultimately, this remains a people-driven business.

ACW: Looking ahead five to ten years, what key trends does AFKLMP Cargo believe will most significantly reshape pharmaceutical air cargo, and how is the company positioning itself to remain competitive in this sector?

Joel Wobma: Looking ahead, AFKLMP Cargo sees several key trends reshaping pharmaceutical air cargo:

• The continued growth of precision medicine and advanced therapies

• Rising expectations for real-time visibility and proactive intervention

• Increasing sustainability requirements

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Greater cost pressure, driving shifts in packaging solutions (e.g., active to passive)

• Clearer differentiation between standard and critical pharma services

In response, AFKLMP Cargo is positioning itself as a knowledge partner in essential healthcare supply chains. By combining network strength, rigorous compliance, advanced digitalisation and specialised service design, we aim to remain competitive and deliver reliable, high-quality solutions in an evolving market.

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