Continental Airlines Cargo works with Envirotainer to implement cold chain product
Continental Airlines Cargo, the first US airline to implement a structured cold chain product, has signed a new global contract with Envirotainer, setting the stage for expansion of its temperature-controlled product line.
Continental Airlines Cargo, the first US airline to implement a structured cold chain product, has signed a new global contract with Envirotainer, setting the stage for expansion of its temperature-controlled product line.
The new agreement will see the increased use of Envirotainer's active temperature-controlled air cargo containers for customers using Continental Airlines Cargo's ClimateSecure service. The airline says the advanced ULD containers offer a "superior alternative to traditional cooling means such as foam, gel packs or insulating blankets, which add expense to shipments and waste space".
ClimateSecure provides an unbroken door-to-door cool chain for up to 72 hours - or longer when dry ice and batteries are replenished in transit. The service is designed for customers shipping high value and sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals.
As part of its new agreement, the airline will also participate in Envirotainer's training programme and aims to become a QEP-CEP accredited airline. The implementation of the training sessions is planned to start in the next few months.
The programme was developed in consultation with the pharmaceutical industry to define those service providers that were capable of using the Envirotainer solution to ensure the integrity of their temperature sensitive shipments. Continental will commence with the formal technical training and accreditation program in Newark and Houston followed by locations in Western Europe.
"Our new agreement with Envirotainer demonstrates Continental Cargo's commitment to expand our position as the only US airline with a comprehensive temperature-controlled shipping programme,. said Mark Mohr, Continental Cargo's manager of product development and specialty sales.
Envirotainer, pioneer and leader of the active temperature-controlled air cargo container market, recently decided to focus on serving solely the pharmaceutical market with its fleet of more than 3,500 active temperature controlled air cargo containers. Just recently Envirotainer has increased its fleet of the latest dry-ice container generation by 10%.