Building a Consistent and Integrated Pharma Air Freight Network

Main image: Interview with our Sales Director Central Europe, Jorge Carretero

Mining is a cyclical industry, so organisations have been wary of making big changes, but trends suggest that this could be changing. According to the Mine-Site Technology Adoption Survey, 2022 Update analysis from GlobalData, 39% of mines are expected to invest in battery electric vehicles in the coming two years, compared with only 23% in the Q4 2020 survey.

So, what is pushing this increased interest in battery electric vehicles? Decarbonisation is one clear factor, with sustainability being a pressing global issue. Other growing investment areas in mining technology, such as management software, collision avoidance, fatigue detection, and predictive maintenance, imply that mines are increasingly looking to utilise technology for safety and optimising productivity.

With diesel vehicles accounting for 30% to 50% of greenhouse emissions at a mine site, replacing them with a battery-electric fleet is a sure way to drastically reduce overall CO₂ emissions, but how else can mines benefit from this technology?

Leading underground manufacturers Normet believe the answer lies with SmartDrive. This architecture for battery electric vehicles (BEV) was developed in collaboration with customers, building on feedback, predicting future trends, and assessing the limitations of diesel engines, and comes with a wealth of benefits for operators.

Excellence in pharmaceutical air freight relies on delivering consistent, controlled, and compliant handling across an integrated network. At LATAM Cargo, we connect Europe, North America, and South America through a pharmaceutical network operating under standardized processes aligned with global standards. With CEIV Pharma alignment and coordinated execution across all stations, we ensure end-to-end integrity, visibility, and reliability, delivering consistent service at every touchpoint.

Supply chain volatility remains a key challenge, particularly in South America. To ensure reliability, we operate with standardized contingency and escalation protocols across our network, maintaining control over temperature and timing even under disruption. Through network-wide coordination, continuous monitoring, and structured performance reviews, we deliver predictable and consistent execution. Close collaboration with clients enables proactive solutions that protect product integrity and minimize supply chain impact. 

Currently, to keep the air as clean as possible, mines invest a lot of money in the infrastructure for ventilation systems and the energy required to run them. With battery electric vehicles, considerably less ventilation is required with cleaner air and lower temperatures.

“The millions of dollars that they need to spend on creating exhaust shafts is dramatically changed,” Ryan explains. “We’re often asked if it is a lost cause for customers that are currently running diesel to switch to BEV. I would say no, because usually the trend is that our customers are going deeper.

“If they decide to adopt BEV equipment such as SmartDrive, as they go deeper, they will still see the benefits with regards to the ventilation requirements. In some cases, we’re already seeing that because they can save money on infrastructure, energy, ventilation, and operations that we once considered to be too expensive become viable again.”

We strengthen our capabilities through digitalization, data-driven quality management, and targeted infrastructure investments to ensure consistency and control. Our pre-alert system enhances visibility and reduces variability across the network, while shipment-level temperature monitoring supports continuous improvement. Weekly data reviews enable corrective actions and reinforce compliance. Together, these initiatives ensure standardized execution across all stations, delivering a reliable and consistent service aligned with global pharmaceutical logistics standards. 

Today, we offer over 200 pharmaceutical routes across Europe, North America, and South America, supported by a consistent operational framework. Over the past year, pharmaceutical lanes expanded by 15%, with exports from Europe to South America increasing by 35%. Miami strengthened its role as a key hub with 50% volume growth, while Santiago saw a 25% increase, supported by dedicated infrastructure and CEIV Pharma certification. 

Sustainability is increasingly relevant in pharmaceutical logistics. Through our SAF program, customers can reduce CO₂ emissions by selecting 5%, 10%, or 15% SAF usage per shipment, enabling collaboration toward sustainability goals while maintaining high service standards. 

Digitalization will continue enhancing visibility and integration across the supply chain. Automated systems, shipment-level data, and performance monitoring will strengthen predictive capabilities. By combining digital tools, standardized processes, and strong governance aligned with CEIV Pharma, LATAM Cargo continues building a resilient, collaborative, and high-quality pharmaceutical network.