When 2020 began, no one could have anticipated what was to come. Within just a few months, COVID-19, commonly known as Corona Virus, has swept across the world creating a pandemic that’s caused many countries to go into lockdown mode.
While this is happening, many people are falling sick with the virus, while more and more are succumbing to it. It’s, therefore, no secret that health workers are being overstretched when it comes to their work. But, this isn’t the only issue that’s falling on doctors, nurses and other health workers.
Troubles faced
While individuals are being urged to stay at home and keep their distance should they need to leave the house, this hasn’t stopped the increase in people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
Because of this, there’s been a huge strain put on the NHS due to a lack of equipment, beds and overworked staff, as well as a lack of staff as ex-NHS workers are being brought in to help fight against the virus. However, more issues could be on the horizon if more and more medical supplies begin to run short.
Transporting equipment
It’s been widely reported that breathing aids are running short, with companies such as the F1 stepping in to help create one. Alongside this, demand on airlines has been heavy as more and more items and medication need to be transported from country to country.
The medical industry has heavily relied on the airline industry for the transport of goods, and it was widely reported that airlines had taken to filling passenger seats to help meet the demands of hospitals. However, the issue now is, more and more airlines have been grounded and schedules have been heavily reduced to help halt the spread of the virus, which means that the transport of medical equipment is becoming less. And, while the grounding of flights is good to help prevent the spread, it isn’t as good for helping to transport much-needed supplies.
Freight industry
While the medical industry has largely ignored the use of the freight sector, it could be a saving grace for the current situation. This is due to the freight industry not being affected by the same travel bans as regular cargo planes, which is what has been used consistently in the past.
There’s also evidence of the successful use of the freight industry in the current climate. Chapman Freeborn recently utilised its in-house assets to help ease cargo demand for North America. This was implemented after the European travel band that president Trump put in place to help ease the spread of the Corona Virus, and now sees nine weekly rotations that help to transport everything from medical supplies and pharmaceutical good to food items and consumer goods.
Kim Borgaard of Chapman Freeborn Scandinavia said:
“We have seen a surge in requests for cargo into the United States from across Europe. In fact, with the grounding of many passenger fleets, we have seen an increase in cargo demand across the board.
Wherever possible, we’re working with clients to consolidate cargo and sell capacity at an affordable rate. It’s times like these that Chapman Freeborn’s global office is a huge benefit – we can transport smaller movements by utilising capacity on booked part-charters.”
As you can see, the move to air freight has already worked in the USA, showing us that in this age of worry, we may not have to worry as much as there is a solution for transporting aid across the globe safely.
