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SINGAPORE – As a global aviation hub, Singapore will play a crucial role in transporting Covid-19 vaccines around the world, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.
In an address to the nation on Monday (December 14), Mr. Lee described how Singapore is well positioned to handle large volumes of vaccines, which he said will support “our recovery in more ways than one.”
He noted that vaccines would require cold chain management, in which they are transported in a temperature-controlled environment at each stage of their journey.
For example, the Pfizer vaccine would have to be stored at minus 70 degrees C, which Mr. Lee noted was colder than the Arctic in winter.
“This requires infrastructure, high standards, trained personnel, and good connectivity to many different countries and throughout the supply chain,” he said.
Fortunately, Singapore has a strong ecosystem for cargo handling, Lee said, noting how SIA and Changi Airport’s ground handling partners have been certified by the International Air Transport Association to handle and transport pharmaceutical supplies.
Major global logistics companies such as DHL, UPS and FedEx are also based here, he added.
“We are now preparing to handle large volumes of vaccine shipments to Singapore, and through Singapore, to help win the global fight against Covid-19,” said Mr. Lee.
He attributed the willingness to handle vaccines to advance planning as well as systematic opportunity creation.
“It took us years of investment and planning, to build a business-friendly climate and to expand our air links around the world,” said Mr. Lee.
“These long-term investments are now paying dividends.”
He also praised the way everyone in the Republic reacted to the immediate Covid-19 crisis, with the situation now stable “just because everyone has worked so hard and sacrificed so much.”
Now there is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines available, he added.
“As vaccines become widespread not only in Singapore, but also in our region and the world, we can hope to resume a more normal life,” Lee said.
“Let us continue to strive in this final stretch, to cross the finish line together and complete our mission to defeat Covid-19.”
Read the highlights of Prime Minister Lee’s announcements and the Covid-19 ministerial task force here.
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