The Poseidon pharma ocean freight program was presented at the IQPC Temperature Controlled Logistics Conference in London. Poseidon is a unique model in pharma-logistics and it takes the form of a strategic supply network that consists of all the principal actors involved in transporting pharma products by sea sitting at the same table as equal partners.

“This is a completely new approach to pharma-logistics fulfilment which harnesses the collective knowledge and power of the entire supply chain to drive innovation, realise efficiencies, improve safety and, ultimately, save money. It’s the difference between an outdated logistics chain that pillages profit and a new one that creates competitive advantage and adds value,” explained Alan Kennedy, one of the architects of the new model.

Poseidon is not specific for a certain type of business or person, it involves any shipper of pharmaceuticals that would like to join, or anyone who is considering an increase in its presence in the ocean freight market. “By coming into the Poseidon program a pharma company will get immediate access to the combined expertise and experience of some of the industry’s leading ocean freight practitioners. Add to this the fact that they will be proactively involved in the forward design and continuous improvement of the program and it becomes a unique opportunity,” commented on its benefits Mark Edwards, who is responsible for the operational aspects of the program.

The Logistics and Supply Partners chosen for the Poseidon program went under a rigorous pre-qualification and selection process, to make sure that only the best ones were part of it. They had to be not only of the highest technical competence, “but must be committed to working in a collaborative environment, must be adaptable to change, and must be prepared to continuously challenge the status quo,” explained Kennedy.

Everyone involved in the program is governed by the Poseidon Partner Agreement, which allows them to work together as a single team with common rules, common goals, and common standards. The Poseidon Management Group is responsible for the strategic direction of the program and a cloud-based Collaboration Hub makes it possible to communicate, exchange ideas, and share information.