Cell & Gene

Marken remains committed to delivering lifesaving drugs with quality excellence to our clients and their patients. This year, with the Olympic games occurring in Paris, we understand and anticipate delays in deliveries and collections from sites in France, in areas where the Olympics and Paralympics will be organized. We are proactively monitoring all transportation routes leading up to this grand event and our experts are working on solutions, with contingency plans in place. We will communicate necessary updates directly to our clients, on a case-by-case basis, leading up to the event.

PARIS OLYMPICS 2024 SCHEDULE: 

• Ceremony - July 26
• Olympics - July 24 to August 11
• Paralympics - August 28 to September 8

OPERATIONAL UPDATES:

• AIRLINES - Marken has received confirmation that no impact is expected from the airlines at this time. Our team is in daily contact with the regional airlines to anticipate any disruption that may occur during these series of events. 
• ROAD - The organizers of the Olympic games released a transportation plan for every day of the event in Paris. The transportation plan is available here. A security plan has also been released by the authorities, which cover the accessibility & restrictions throughout this event. Marken will proactively work with the sites impacted, to ensure collection and delivery is successfully performed without any delay. 
• OCEAN & TRAIN- No impact is expected at this time.
• SURROUNDING REGIONS - Minimal impacts are expected from the surrounding regions, as a portion of the event will happen outside of Paris. 

*This situation is fluid and we will update as we get closer to the event.

Marken is closely monitoring the ongoing developments of the expected two-day long transport strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12-13 by Lufthansa airlines and Deutsche Bahn railway.

The Lufthansa strikes were called for by The Independent Flight Attendants Organisation (UFO) union and will cause significant disruption at two of Germany's busiest airports, Frankfurt and Munich. The GDL union announced the strike of Deutsche Bahn passenger and freight train drivers, impacting railroad operations worldwide. This may also include other types of transport, such as local transport services, and the handling and release of imports into Germany as well.

Please note, that Marken has implemented contingency plans, leveraging our UPS network, and diverting exports to other airports, to avoid impacts wherever possible. Our team is proactively working with our clients to provide alternative arrangements and our Customer Service team will communicate any necessary updates to clients as this ongoing situation progresses.

For any immediate questions about a particular shipment, please contact your local Marken branch or business professional.

We will watch and manage this situation very closely within our network to reduce or negate impact to clients and their shipments.

As extreme winter weather conditions are developing throughout Chicago and surrounding regions, we expect there may be delays in the supply chain and are prepared with contingency plans in place.

The major storm is forecasted to bring heavy snow, strong winds and ice to the area, which will lead to hazardous travel and possible blizzard conditions. A full ground stop was issued at O’Hare Airport with approximately 1,000 flight cancellations and delays reported at both O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

Marken is closely monitoring the ongoing weather conditions, and we will work proactively with clients to provide alternative arrangements to ensure patients are unaffected and service remains uninterrupted. Our Customer Service team will communicate any necessary updates to clients as this situation progresses.

For any immediate questions about a particular shipment, please contact your local Marken branch or business professional.

Marken will continue to oversee the ongoing situation and will share updates as available.

Marken is closely following reports across the central region of Japan where a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck on the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture on January 1st, 2024. As a result, on January 2nd, a Japan Airlines A350-900 aircraft designated for earthquake relief efforts, collided with another relief plane at Tokyo Haneda Airport, resulting in a massive explosion.

Please note some domestic flights are experiencing cancellations and delays, however Marken and UPS are fully operational, monitoring all shipments that may be impacted and are taking the necessary steps with Business Continuity Plans in place, to proactively minimize delays and mitigate disruptions for our clients and patients.

We remain committed to sourcing the best available options for each shipment as we continue to observe ongoing challenges. Please contact your local Marken branch or business professional if you have questions about a particular shipment.

Marken will continue to oversee the ongoing situation and will share updates as available.