Inbound Logistics | July 2025

Specialized Transportation: Logistics on a Mission

A HOME FOR THE ANTELOPES TO ROAM With logistics precision and a commitment to conservation, DHL Express recently completed a special delivery—transporting 17 critically endan- gered mountain bongo antelopes from Florida to Kenya. The move was orchestrated in partner- ship with Tusk, a conservation charity focused on Africa-led wildlife initiatives. The animals, bred at the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF), required a custom solution due to their

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: IT'S SHOW TIME Moving a world-renowned stage production across continents is no small feat—especially when time is short and the cargo includes massive, custom-designed theatrical elements. For Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA, a show celebrating Mexico, logistics became the star of the performance. With a tight turnaround following the nal Sydney performance, the production needed to leap across the Pacic to New York City in record time. Enter Atlas Air Worldwide, which executed a high-stakes, precision airlift to transport LUZIA’s full stage setup using two Boeing 747-400 freighters. Traditionally, Cirque du Soleil has moved its shows by sea between continents and by road within countries, but the time constraints for the North American tour required a shift in logistics strategy. Every detail mattered. From the moment Atlas received the logistics brief, the team began coordinating directly with Cirque’s operations specialists to develop a streamlined transport plan. The goal: move hundreds of tons of intricate equipment—including a custom rain curtain, two 4,500-kg treadmills repurposed from mining conveyors, and sensitive lighting and water systems—from Sydney Airport to New York’s Kennedy Airport. Loading required precise choreography, with cargo handlers ensuring each custom- built crate was secured for long-haul air transport. Given the complexity and sensitivity of the gear, Atlas employed custom restraints and reinforced pallet solutions to prevent shifting in ight. Crews worked around the clock to load and ofoad cargo, to minimize ground time and expedite customs clearance upon arrival. Timing was critical: any delay would have jeopardized LUZIA’s premiere on Randall’s Island in New York. Thanks to Atlas, the mission was completed two months faster than a comparable ocean shipment.

endangered status and the need to travel as a single herd. DHL deployed a dedicated cargo aircraft for the 7,146-nautical-mile journey, ying nonstop from Palm Beach International Airport to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Each animal was carefully loaded into custom-built crates designed to reduce stress and ensure safety during the long-haul ight. The operation also included six metric tons of specially formulated pelleted feed and three animal care experts—a veterinarian and two bongo specialists—on board. The logistics behind the transfer required detailed planning, compliance with international animal transport regulations, and coordination with multiple agencies across two continents. Upon arrival, the antelopes were transported to a 20-acre sanctuary on the slopes of Mount Kenya that will serve as the base for a long-term breeding and rewilding program.

PRECISION IN MOTION B&H Worldwide completed its rst helicopter transport for Pacic Aircraft Services, moving an Airbus H125 from Oslo, Norway, to Christchurch, New Zealand. The complex

international journey began with ground transportation from Oslo to Brussels, where the helicopter was prepared for air freight. B&H secured a PGA pallet and coordinated with Singapore Airlines to arrange two consecutive freighter ights. To ensure the aircraft’s integrity in transit, the team followed B&H’s proprietary helicopter transport guide, securing the cargo to meet strict international aviation safety standards. Multiple customs regimes were navigated along the way. In Singapore, real-time logistics management enabled B&H to secure an earlier ight connection, cutting four days off the original delivery timeline. Once the helicopter arrived in Auckland, it underwent reassembly and certication by the Civil Aviation Authority before being transported to its nal destination in Christchurch. This early arrival allowed Pacic Aircraft Services to transition immediately into operational readiness.

162 Inbound Logistics • July 2025