Rapid Response To Earthquake Damage Keeps Critical Shipments Moving

Following the major earthquake (8.9 on Richter scale) that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered severe damage to multiple reactors. Due to the damage at the nuclear plant and other serious damage caused by the tsunami, service to the main cities and prefectures in central Japan was dramatically curtailed. The combination of the effects of the tsunami and the grave situation at the nuclear plant made it critical for Marken to develop a contingency plan for the pick up and delivery of clinical trial specimens and the delivery of clinical trial materials to investigator sites in safe areas of the country.

Marken would only authorize drivers to collect and deliver shipments in areas declared safe by local authorities. The move of the office to Osaka put Marken personnel outside the danger zone and closer to Kansai International Airport (KIX), which would temporarily become the hub airport for Marken’s shipping activities. Since no export license was required for biological samples, it was possible to export from any international in Japan with just a pro forma invoice. This made it possible to use KIX as a gateway with minimal impact on exports of specimens.