Sonoco ThermoSafe and Asiana Cargo Sign Global Master Lease Agreement

Sonoco ThermoSafe, a unit of Sonoco and the leading global provider of temperature assurance packaging, and Asiana Airlines Inc., a South Korean airline headquartered in Seoul, are pleased to announce a global partnership agreement for leasing the new Pegasus ULD temperature-controlled bulk shipping container. The agreement enables pharmaceutical freight forwarders access to Pegasus ULD containers directly from Asiana Airlines.

Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Pegasus ULD is the world’s first FAA and EASA-approved passive bulk temperature-controlled ULD container for pharmaceutical use, which enables it to speed through international air freight handling and customs processes at the lowest possible cost. With a focus on sustainability, the Pegasus is engineered with composite materials, offering a lighter solution that is also substantially more damage-resistant than traditional metal containers. Additionally, the Pegasus ULD contains a fully integrated, FAA-approved telemetry system providing real-time, cloud-based data on payload and ambient temperature and key environmental factors, precisely synchronized with GPS location.

Bourji Mourad, who heads Logistics & Partner Management for Sonoco ThermoSafe’s Bulk Rental group, said, “Partnering with Asiana Cargo and the inclusion of Pegasus ULD to their “Cool+” specialised cold chain service is very much welcomed. The next steps will be systems training, particularly ‘ThermoSafe Connect’, our online tool for container ordering, and other admin functions.” Mourad further confirmed, “Incheon in South Korea is a new addition to Sonoco ThermoSafe’s global network, where Unilode manages the ground handling operations, including storage, servicing, preconditioning to the right temperature, as well as container repair, which is beneficial to all stakeholders.”