UPS (NYSE: UPS) announced a $48 million investment in 27 temperature-controlled freight cross-dock facilities located across the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Americas, according to a company press release.

The facilities are designed to maintain specific temperature ranges of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and frozen, supporting the movement of pharmaceuticals and advanced therapies between air and ground transportation. All 27 locations carry IATA CEIV Pharma certification for pharmaceutical handling.

Kate Gutmann, EVP and President of International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions at UPS, said the cross-dock facilities "strengthen our end-to-end cold-chain capabilities to ensure critical treatments are delivered safely and reliably to patients around the world."

The investment adds to prior UPS acquisitions in healthcare logistics, including Bomi Group, Frigo Trans, BPL and Andlauer Healthcare Group. UPS also recently expanded its Incheon, South Korea air hub to support pharmaceutical trade flows.

According to Growth Market Reports, the cold-chain logistics market for biologics is projected to grow at an 8.3% compound annual growth rate through 2033, reaching an estimated $39.1 billion. PharmaSource data cited in the release indicates roughly one in three newly approved drugs is a biologic, with more than 85% of those requiring temperature-controlled handling.

Cold-chain failures are estimated to cost up to $35 billion annually and contribute to up to 50% of global vaccine waste, according to the World Health Organization.

UPS reported 2025 revenue of $88.7 billion and operates in more than 200 countries and territories.