Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Schiphol Cargo spearheads Lifescience Steering Group

Schiphol Cargo – the dedicated cargo arm of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol –  is forming a Lifesciences Steering Group to develop a long-term strategy for the promotion of Lifesciences-related activity centred around the Dutch airport.

The initiative follows a recent, highly-successful mission to India, in which Schiphol Cargo and representatives of the Amsterdam Life Sciences Platform met with local pharma industry executives in round table format, to discuss the development of a pharma trade lane between India and Europe, using Schiphol as its distribution hub. 

In the new Lifesciences Steering Group, Schiphol Cargo will be joined by AmsterdaminBusiness, Amsterdamse Innovatie Motor, Bioport Europe, Amsterdam Airport Area, Schiphol Area Development Company and the Holland International Distribution Council. 

Says Schiphol Cargo Business Development Director Bart Pouwels: “Lifesciences is one of the industry clusters that Schiphol identifies as a key to the further development of its role as a cargo mainport and logistics centre for northern Europe. 

“Our early collaborations and meetings have been very productive and encouraging, helping us to understand and resolve the special issues that surround global distribution in this demanding sector. For example, we are now in discussion with our resident carrier partners about  enhancing the frequency, quality and volume of freight capacity on major routes from India to Schiphol.” 

With the creation of the Lifesciences Steering Group, a programme of further meetings has been planned in India and Schiphol. The next meeting, to be hosted by Schiphol Cargo, will take place on June 1st, attended by airline and pharma manufacturing representatives. This meeting will focus on the potential role of Schiphol in the pharma supply chain, and the creation of a Lifesciences supply chain strategy. The Group is also considering the establishment of a parallel programme involving lifesciences trade between the USA and Europe. 

Continues Pouwels: “The recent award of GDP* certification to Panalpina, one of our resident logistics service providers at Schiphol, and the impending opening of a dedicated pharma facility by another major operator, highlight the intense interest that this industry sector is creating.  

“The Lifesciences Steering Group will target process optimisation in the lifescience supply chain, assisting stakeholders to establish best practice for handling this traffic. As a key player in this initiative, Schiphol Cargo will do everything possible to support its community in their efforts to maximise the huge potential of this fast-growing market.”