Inbound Logistics | January 2025

HEAVY LIFTING, SENSITIVE CARGO

DHL’s Wildest Deliveries: Chimpanzees, 007 Relics, and a Flying Hospital From a disabled chimp’s life- changing journey to James Bond’s legendary Aston Martin and a floating heart clinic for children, DHL’s out-of-the-ordinary shipments prove that no project is too big, too small, or too unusual. Chocolat Finds a New Home In August 2024, DHL transported Chocolat, a disabled chimpanzee, from Kenya to the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, UK. Rescued as an infant after surviving the illegal bushmeat trade in Congo, Chocolat sustained injuries that left her with a paralyzed hand and foot. After more than two decades in Kenya, she required a permanent home with specialized care. DHL handled her journey as a high- priority transport. Chocolat traveled in a custom-built crate stocked with fruit and sweet potatoes for comfort. Her trip began with a ight from Nairobi to East Midlands Airport in the UK, followed by a carefully managed road transfer to Dorset. A dedicated team of animal experts accompanied her throughout, ensuring her safety and well-being.

Transporting 60 valuable instruments for The London Philharmonic required meticulous planning.

A Logistical Symphony The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s tour of Japan in September 2024 was not only a celebration of music but also a complex logistical endeavor. DHL transported approximately 60 valuable instruments, including double basses, cellos, timpani, and a harp, from the UK to the Hamamatsu Act City Concert Hall in Japan. The operation required meticulous planning, covering roughly 6,000 miles by air and road. For instance, DHL had to maintain a constant temperature between 17 and 21 degrees Celsius to prevent wooden instruments from warping or cracking. Additionally, custom-built, shock-absorbing cases were used. Despite a tight schedule, all instruments arrived on time and in perfect condition. The tour began in Hamamatsu, then proceeded to Nagoya, Osaka, and concluded in Tokyo. 11 Containers of Hope – Shipping a Mobile Heart Clinic Transporting a hospital? Yes, that’s possible. In February 2024, DHL delivered the world’s rst mobile heart clinic across oceans, covering more than 5,500 miles from Bremen, Germany, to Zacamil, El Salvador. Developed by the German non-prot organization Kinderherzen, the clinic provides lifesaving surgery for children with congenital heart defects in areas that lack specialized facilities. A Logistical Symphony Logistical Symphony

Martin DB5 and the high-speed ice dragster from Die Another Day . DHL ensured the artifacts’ safety using 22 trucks, including enclosed car carriers with hydraulic lifts for secure loading and transport. The logistics team meticulously

handled each piece, guaranteeing maximum protection throughout the journey.

This iconic Aston Martin DB5 was one of 130 pieces of James Bond memorabilia transported from Prague to Vienna.

DHL’s transport of 163 vultures

marked the largest relocation project ever undertaken and completed safely.

Wings in Transit When DHL transported 163 critically endangered Cape and African White- backed vultures more than 620 miles from a rehabilitation facility near Pretoria to the Shamwari wildlife reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, it marked the largest vulture relocation project ever undertaken. DHL ensured a smooth 18-hour journey using two 34-ton trucks and ve support and security vehicles. More than 50 volunteers carefully loaded the birds in just three hours. The operation prioritized the vultures’ safety, providing them with a secure environment to support their long- term conservation.

License to Deliver: James Bond Artifacts

In August 2024, DHL transported more than 130 pieces of James Bond memorabilia on a 205-mile journey from Prague to Vienna for the “007 Action” display. The shipment included 27 cars, eight motorcycles, costumes, and props, with standout items like the iconic Aston

174 Inbound Logistics • January 2025