Itochu Logistics

In 2021, pharmaceutical logistics globally shall continue to be influenced by COVID-19 which a full containment is yet to be seen and the role of pharmaceutical logistics is likely to increase its importance.

Especially for air transportation of pharmaceutical products, stricter requirements to comply with the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is seen in Europe and other countries. IATA has developed the CEIV Pharma certification program to ensure quality control of transportation of temperature controlled and time-sensitive products, including vaccines and Itochu Logistics aims to obtain such certification this year. Furthermore, Itochu Logistics is constructing a new warehouse dedicated to pharmaceutical products to be opened in the first half of 2022 in Tsukuba City which is close to Narita International Airport.

We aim to further enhance our strength in providing international forwarding services as well as domestic and overseas 3PL services as a one-stop-shop offering.

Currently, Itochu Logistics’ overseas logistics service offering is centered in the Asian region. Especially, China is our priority market and we have focused our efforts in providing both forwarding and 3PL services. As an example, we currently provide storage as well as domestic delivery services of dialysis equipment to 300 hospitals in China (planned to increase to 500). We also provide air freight services from Japan to China as well local delivery to the factory in China for in-vitro diagnostics drugs.

More recently, we have been providing 3PL services for animal drugs and vaccines in China, India and Indonesia. It is said that the spread of COVID-19 which enforces more people to spend time at home has resulted in the expansion of the pet market. We also confirm the increase of volume of 3PL services in our animal drugs and vaccines products.

As for forwarding services, our service area expands globally beyond the Asian market and we are providing air export services for products such as pharmaceuticals, drug substances, in-vitro diagnostics drugs and medical equipment to markets including China, Europe and the US.