MOVING HISTORY When 36 authentic Berlin Wall segments needed to travel from Denmark to a U.S. museum, GEODIS was up for the task. Coming in at nearly 3,500 kilograms each, the pieces weighed a combined 126 tons and filled seven 40-foot containers. The GEODIS Ocean Freight Export team managed the wall segments’ move across the ocean. The team handled container selection and load distribution, all while figuring out how to secure the unwieldy load. The stakes were high. These were pieces of one of the most significant structures of the 20th century, and they needed to arrive in the same condition they left. “It’s not every day we get to move such powerful pieces of history,” says Christian Hansen, Ocean Export Manager, GEODIS.
HOLD THE TRAINS Alpha Global Projects recently completed a heavy lift move from Maharashtra, India to the United States. Before the team could load the heavy industrial components onto a breakbulk vessel, however, the cargo had to travel more than 1,500 kilometers overland. The shipment included two units at 125 tons each, two at 25 tons, and about 900 cubic meters of accessories. The team first completed a route survey, analyzing bridge ratings, road conditions, and railway crossings along the corridor. It became apparent that the shipment’s height would create a problem at crossings. Alpha Global worked with Indian railway authorities to set up two planned shutdowns, enabling the convoy to get through. Once it finally reached the port, the equipment was loaded and shipped to the United States on time, arriving with no damage.
HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
When Chapman Freeborn completed the delivery of an ATR 72-600MPA maritime patrol aircraft from Turin, Italy to the Philippine Air Force in May 2025, it was a complex job. When the request came in for a second one on the same route, the team had a pretty good idea of what was ahead. Getting the aircraft from origin to destination involved stopovers in Egypt, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The ATR 72-600MPA carries maritime patrol and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) systems, making it a more involved transfer than a standard aircraft ferry. Vivienne Sinclair from the Chapman Freeborn team was on board for every leg. “Experience and understanding of the global ecosystem in complex ferry operations are critical,” Sinclair said. Despite the team’s previous experience, new challenges in the form of weather delays and permit complications cropped up along the way. Ultimately, the aircraft arrived as planned and went into service right away. The delivery was part of the Philippine Air Force’s effort to build out its maritime surveillance capabilities.
July 2026 • Inbound Logistics 151
Powered by FlippingBook