W hen managing global supply chains, moving a standard shipment from point A to point B is a science. But what happens when the cargo itself de es the rules—when a shipment measures 18 meters long, is worth millions, or critically, is still alive? This is the realm of project logistics. It is the specialist discipline reserved for the extraordinary—the urgent, the oversized, the sensitive, and the non-routine. In this intricate, high-stakes choreography, every successful move represents a masterclass in planning, precision, and partnership. Project logistics providers operate on a tightrope, managing extreme risk against tight deadlines. The recent disassembly of an Airbus A320neo, for instance, required not just a rapid 30-day teardown, but the meticulous logistical choreography of customs brokerage, specialized transport, and the secure, tracked warehousing of thousands of recovered components. This specialized expertise is equally vital for massive industrial moves, whether it's securing a heavy- lift charter for an 11-ton electrical switchboard shipment or orchestrating the door-to-door ocean transit of an oversized XDR 250 Workover Rig, demanding precision lashing and navigating complex import clearance. The stakes can involve life-saving or humanitarian missions. For example, GEODIS manages the seasonal transfer of approximately 25 re ghting helicopters between Spain and Chile, a complex operation demanding awless, 24-day end-to-end transport to meet global re season demands. At the most sensitive end of the spectrum, Lufthansa Cargo handles more than 10,000 corneal tissue transplants, requiring continuous live tracking and strict temperature control. This precision also ensures the safe relocation of critically endangered Vietnamese crocodile-tailed lizards. Even a single artifact, like the Formula 1 helmet signed by 20 world champions, requires specialized security transport across continents. From managing international regulation and custom solutions to exploring the future with autonomous cargo drones that cut delivery time to remote offshore wind turbines from hours to minutes, the case studies that follow demonstrate the essential role project logistics plays in executing the world’s most challenging operations.
Logistics of an A320neo Teardown The recent disassembly of an Airbus A320neo in the Asia-Paci c region highlights the complex logistical choreography required for modern aircraft teardown projects. Conducted at SIA Engineering (Philippines) Corporation’s facility, the rapid, 30-day nose-to-tail
dismantling released a signi cant volume of used serviceable material (USM) for the aftermarket. The real challenge lay in the subsequent movement and management of thousands of recovered components. B&H Worldwide’s Singapore team managed a comprehensive logistics operation that began on-site in the Philippines. This included the critical tasks of customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and secure, specialized transportation, all while navigating the regulations for dangerous goods. Following transport, the majority of the A320neo parts were shipped to B&H’s warehousing facility within the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore Free Trade Zone. There, inventory management became
paramount. The company meticulously inventoried and tracked each part using its proprietary FirstTRAC platform, ensuring a documented chain of custody and rapid access for repair, sale, or distribution to operators and MROs across the region.
January 2026 • Inbound Logistics 153
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