Panama Strengthens its Logistics Hub: FedEx Receives CEIV Pharma Certification
With the CEIV Pharma certification, FedEx reaffirms its commitment to quality and control in the healthcare supply chain, positioning Panama as a key player in the growing pharmaceutical and medical device sector of the region. These products are typically high-value and sensitive to temperature and time variations.
Obtaining this certification validates that the facilities, equipment, operations, and personnel of FedEx's ramp in Panama meet the rigorous standards and expectations of the pharmaceutical industry. Air exports of medicines are projected to reach their highest level in ten years by 2025.
The FedEx ramp at Tocumen is currently equipped with two temperature-controlled cold rooms. This process includes extensive training and a detailed analysis of all cargo handling operations.
Basil Khalil, FedEx's Vice President of Operations for the Caribbean and Central America, stated that "Achieving this certification demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of quality and control to maintain the integrity of healthcare products while they are in transit." He added that the company is "ready to support the growth of the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors in the country."
Specialized Logistics and Its Impact on Panamanian Trade
The medicines sector is one of the main items in Panama's exports. This achievement underscores the company's commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics and is vital for the development of Panama's pharmaceutical hub.
Global Recognition for the Supply Chain
The CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification was established by IATA in 2014 to recognize quality standards and specific regulatory requirements for the safe air transport of pharmaceutical products.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) indicate that, between January and September 2025, exports in this category reached a value of nearly $34 million, of which more than $5 million were moved by air. This includes operations in San José, Costa Rica (SJO), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ), and the two ramps in Puerto Rico (SJU and BQN).
In the same period, imports exceeded $500 million, with $114 million transported by air.
In an effort that strengthens the country's strategic infrastructure, FedEx announced that its ramp at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) has received the prestigious CEIV Pharma certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The local operation has a direct connection to the FedEx Hub in Memphis, Tennessee, with a frequency of five times a week via a Boeing 767 aircraft.
Innovation for Traceability and Security
To optimize the visibility of critical shipments, Panama was one of the first markets in Latin America and the Caribbean where FedEx implemented advanced technological solutions:
• FedEx Surround®: A service that provides shipment location data almost in real-time. • SenseAware: A set of sensor-based devices that record the location, temperature, and other conditions of the products while they are being transported.
This predictive capability allows FedEx and its customers to make quick and informed decisions in the event of any potential disruption, ensuring the integrity and on-time delivery of highly sensitive shipments, such as those in the pharmaceutical industry.
In addition to the operation in Panama (PTY), a total of twenty-one FedEx facilities worldwide received the CEIV Pharma certification between 2024 and 2025. One maintains a range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, and the other operates in the range of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.
