Inbound Logistics | July 2023

UNDER COVER OF NIGHT Dealing with oversized cargo, especially when it’s static—it isn’t self-propelled and cannot be towed— often involves making special accommodations. It was necessary when Baltimore-based Thunderbolt Global Logistics handled the nal leg of delivery for nine pieces of static cargo arriving from a Turkish factory into the Port of Tacoma, Washington in March 2022. Fortunately, six of the nine pieces of static cargo were not oversized and could be delivered on atbed trucks to the customer. However, three had dimensions that required making special accommodations. “Due to their size, the two widest pieces could be delivered only on the weekend at night between 1-6 a.m.,” explains Jim Shapiro, Thunderbolt’s owner and director. Thunderbolt had a delivery deadline to meet and it was critical that the vessel be on time. The entire project was a coordinated effort involving Project Cargo Network partners BATI Shipping, Europe Cargo, and Thunderbolt. To mitigate potential delays, Thunderbolt obtained customs clearance prior to the shipment’s arrival at the Tacoma port. Delivery went off without a hitch. In fact, the two widest pieces were delivered by 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, well within the window of time allotted. The third wide piece with travel restrictions that weren’t as stringent was delivered during the day on Friday. The balance of the shipment was picked up and delivered by atbed truck the following Monday morning. DOWN FOR THE TASK In addition to its regular activities, BATI Innovative Logistics has been involved in various unusual one-off logistics projects. A notable one is the ongoing North Marmara Underground Gas Storage Expansion project in Turkey begun in 2020. This national project involves expanding underground gas storage facilities and is signicant for the oil and gas industry.

Active travelers have long been able to check bulky items like bicycles, snowboards, skis, sur»oards and more when flying to their intended sport destinations. Even a hard stand-up paddleboard is cleared to fly as baggage these days, provided it meets certain height restrictions. Until recently, motorcycle enthusiasts haven’t been as lucky. That changed in spring 2023 when WestJet Cargo introduced a new service that o¨ers specialized transportation options and tailored logistics solutions for motorcycles. The Canadian airline calls the service BIKE’Air and it’s available on both domestic and international flights connecting Canada to the United States and Europe. Destinations include Miami, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Rome and London. The cities can be reached from four stations in Canada—Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver. O¨ered from April through October, BIKE’Air lets motorcycle fans transport their bike to one destination, pick it up, ride it to their heart’s content and then return it to any location within its network. Shipments must be booked in advance. “WestJet Cargo recognizes the potential of motorcycle tourism and is determined to support its growth and culture, by making it even more accessible and appealing to riders,” says Kirsten de Bruijn, executive vice president of WestJet Cargo. For shipments to/from trans-border (U.S.) and international cities, it’s necessary to contact one of WestJet Cargo’s partners. All domestic, trans-border and international movements require a dangerous goods declaration from a regulated dangerous goods specialist. Providing air cargo services to businesses, freight forwarders, shippers, and individual customers, WestJet Cargo utilizes the expansive network of WestJet’s wide and narrow-bodied aircraft and its newly introduced fleet of four dedicated Boeing 737-800 converted freighters to meet the diverse needs of its cargo customers. Each motorcycle is strapped securely to a palette in an upright position before being boarded onto a plane and transported to its final destination. It isn’t necessary for a bike’s owner to be on the same flight—if it also happens to be a passenger plane—or to even fly with WestJet. HAVE MOTORCYCLE, WILL TRAVEL

July 2023 • Inbound Logistics 133