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Abu Dhabi has taken a significant step forward in expanding its air cargo and pharmaceutical logistics capabilities with the launch of a new regional vaccine distribution hub.
Announced by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the fully operational facility has received its first shipments and will serve as a key node for vaccine delivery across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia – solidifying the Emirate’s growing role as a regional airfreight and life sciences logistics powerhouse.
Located in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, the hub has been developed in close collaboration with a broad alliance of stakeholders, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), AD Ports Group, Etihad Cargo, KEZAD Group, and global biopharmaceutical company GSK. It is a cornerstone project within Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to strengthen healthcare resilience and establish a globally competitive air cargo infrastructure tailored to pharmaceutical and life science needs.
The launch comes at a time when demand for temperature-controlled freight is soaring. Designed specifically for pharma-grade handling, the Abu Dhabi vaccine hub integrates advanced cold-chain technologies and is fully connected to Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife network. The facility will serve as a major distribution platform for more than 20 different vaccines, supporting paediatric and adult immunisation programmes throughout the region.
H.E Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of the DoH, said: “The operational launch of Abu Dhabi’s regional vaccine hub signals our readiness to serve the region with speed, precision, and reliability. More than a logistics milestone, this reflects our long-term vision to position Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner in global health where innovation and resilience translate into timely access and measurable public health impact.”
The facility’s integration into HELM – Abu Dhabi’s Life Science Cluster, launched in April 2025, reinforces the Emirate’s intent to create end-to-end, innovation-led value chains for healthcare. But for air cargo stakeholders, the activation of this hub represents a major milestone in regional capacity building for pharma logistics.
A new air cargo asset in a globalised vaccine supply chain
The facility enables real-time, end-to-end traceability of sensitive cargo through Rafed’s deployment of smart distribution and monitoring systems. The hub’s direct connectivity to Abu Dhabi International Airport and access to Etihad Cargo’s dedicated PharmaLife product – serving over 100 international destinations – allows for fast, compliant, and temperature-controlled delivery to some of the world’s most medically underserved regions.
Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Cargo’s participation in this initiative reflects our continued investment in healthcare logistics. Our network and specialised PharmaLife product play a critical role in transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines reliably and efficiently across the region. We are proud to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global leader in life sciences and supply chain excellence.”
By establishing its first vaccine distribution centre in the Middle East, GSK has further embedded Abu Dhabi into its global supply network. This is only GSK’s fourth such hub globally, highlighting the strategic role the UAE capital now plays in international pharmaceutical logistics and pandemic preparedness.
An operational blueprint for cargo-led resilience
The hub’s operational model is geared for scalability, allowing it to accommodate emerging vaccine technologies and growing distribution volumes. This cargo-led resilience strategy will help shorten delivery times across the region, mitigate supply chain disruptions, and improve last-mile access to essential vaccines. It also provides a strategic buffer for global pharma producers seeking to diversify their distribution points and improve supply continuity to the Global South.
Mohammad Mustafa Saeed, chief executive officer of Rafed, said: “As a PureHealth company, Rafed is committed to delivering healthcare excellence through world-class pharmaceutical logistics. The launch of this regional vaccine distribution hub is a tangible expression of our strategy to strengthen health systems, improve access, and build resilience across borders. By deploying advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies, we are enabling real-time, end-to-end visibility.”
The facility is expected to distribute millions of doses annually, becoming a critical enabler of health logistics infrastructure and air cargo connectivity across a vast geography stretching from the Gulf to sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. For the UAE’s logistics and cargo sectors, the hub represents a strategic asset in attracting further pharmaceutical supply chain investment and expanding temperature-controlled cargo throughput.
As air cargo continues to evolve beyond general freight, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the intersection of public health impact and commercial opportunity – offering a unique blend of aviation infrastructure, regulatory alignment, and pharma-forward innovation. With this new hub now operational, the emirate has taken a decisive step in turning its airfreight ambitions into a globally relevant logistics reality.
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