(Yicai Global) Dec. 2 -- Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has begun operating China’s first regular cross-border cold chain to ship ultra-low temperature-controlled medicines, including Covid-19 vaccines, in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, Cainiao announced in a statement today.

This is not the first delivery of medical supplies to Africa by the freight arm of Chinese tech titan Alibaba Group Holding, but it does mark its inaugural regular route carrying temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals twice a week from Shenzhen to Dubai, then to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and from thence to the rest of the world.

Shenzhen Airport’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators certification for pharma logistics and Ethiopian Airlines’ real-time temperature monitoring system will ensure the integrity of temperature-sensitive healthcare products, per the statement.

Cainiao and Ethiopian Airlines are gearing up for the forthcoming vaccine distribution, since some Covid-19 shots impose high requirements on stowage conditions, e.g. Pfizer’s Covid-19 jab requires long-term storage at minus-70 degrees Celsius, and only keeps for five days at from two to eight degrees.

Editor: Ben Armour