UK Government’s pandemic response sees Kuehne+Nagel awarded international logistics contracts

Kuehne+Nagel has been awarded the following three separate contracts in the Multi-Lot open procurement process

• Lot 1: Airfreight Charter Services

• Lot 2: Airfreight and Ground Handling Services

• Lot 5: Roadfreight Services

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the DHSC has managed international freight to support the urgent importation of medical devices, consumables and products into the UK on an ex works basis to ensure critical supplies are available to protect and preserve life. Most critically, the continued importance of mass testing as part of the Test and Trace (T&T) programme in the UK requires significant volumes of COVID-19 test kits and related items to be imported from overseas producers in order to secure volumes amidst increasing global demand.

In late December 2020, the DHSC launched a competitive open procurement tendering process to find the Most Economically Advantageous Supplier of services across each mode of transport. Kuehne+Nagel submitted winning proposals in 3 out of a total of 5 lots (or transport modes). As part of the contract, Kuehne+Nagel will ensure that the DHSC has the available freight capacity to support continuity of supply of COVID-19 test kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical products as required, to health and social care providers in the UK.

The 12-month contracts, each with potential options to extend for another year, commenced on the 18 March 2021. The services form part of Kuehne+Nagel UK’s wider commitment to the pandemic response effort, alongside providing daily flights to Belfast carrying live test samples for analysis, warehousing, test kit assembly and distribution services as a trusted logistics partner to the UK’s National Testing Programme .

"We are privileged to have been chosen by the Department of Health and Social Care to support an endeavour of great national importance. This endorsement of the skill and capabilities of our people is one we are particularly proud of and we look forward to playing our part" Stuart Innes – UK Air Logistics Director