Cathay Cargo and Tower Cold Chain sign global airline partnership

Cathay Cargo has signed a global long-term rental agreement with Tower Cold Chain, giving its customers access to a wider range of temperature-controlled solutions regarding container size and payload volume.

Ideal for the transportation of life-saving pharmaceutical, biotech, and life-science products, Tower’s robust, reliable, reusable solutions are a welcomed addition to Cathay Cargo’s cool container pharmaceutical portfolio.

Allowing the airline to extend its range of container choices, Cathay Pharma customers will have increased flexibility and variety when shipping high-value, temperature-sensitive products in both Euro or US pallet sizes.

This new partnership means customers can access and order Tower’s passive cold chain solutions 24/7 online, either via the Tower website or through Cathay’s booking service, and benefit from 120+ hour protection for products that require an internal temperature of -80°C (ultracold), -60°C (ultracold), -20°C (frozen), +5°C (refrigerated) and +20°C (controlled room temperature).

Available in a comprehensive variety of sizes and volumes, Tower’s containers cover internal payloads ranging from 3075 liters down to 26.4 liters – The KTEvolution, the company’s first hand-held container, is ideal for small-batch, direct-to-patient shipments.

This long-term deal coincides with the airline’s rebrand. Previously known as Cathay Pacific Cargo, the rebrand reinforces Cathay’s vision to become one of the world’s greatest service brands and to provide sector-specific expertise and innovative solutions to its customers.

As Tower’s first global airline service agreement, the partnership marks a new watershed in the company’s own rapidly growing reputation. Utilizing phase-change materials (PCMs), Tower’s patented design technology guarantees safe temperature-controlled transportation without the need for electricity or human intervention, providing the agility, safety, and consistency today’s pharmaceutical supply chains demand. The fully reusable containers and the option for customers to select a dry-ice-free solution for temperatures from -40°C to +40 °C also support Tower and Cathay’s commitment towards sustainability.

Tower containers are available globally via its network of strategic hubs at major airports – a key selling point for Cathay Cargo, as it enables greater proximity and availability for customers, in over 70 destinations worldwide.

“We are delighted to partner with Tower Cold Chain to further enhance our Cathay Pharma portfolio with more choices and innovative solutions to our customers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and life-science industries. Tower’s advanced passive containers deliver proven physical and temperature protection, across all supply chains. This, coupled with Cathay Cargo’s vast distribution network will benefit our customers and, ultimately, their patients around the world,” said Frosti Lau, General Manager of Cargo Service Delivery, Cathay Cargo.

“Partnering with a world-class airline like Cathay Cargo ensures their pharmaceutical customers are supported with reliable and seamless temperature-controlled solutions,” said Niall Balfour, Chief Executive of Tower Cold Chain.

“As our first official airline agreement, this project allows a multitude of customers to lease Tower Cold Chain’s reliable containers directly from Cathay Cargo, providing a robust system for safe and seamless transportation of temperature-sensitive products to patients on time and on budget. We look forward to working together to transport time-critical and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals around the world on our global network.”

Tower’s solutions will be displayed on Cathay Cargo’s website, where customers can place orders directly through the airline.