Launching a new international event is not easy, especially when you are trying to reduce environmental impact while transporting materials all over the world.

“When we launched the championship we had many, many different challenges. We didn’t have any cars or any cities to race in,” Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag told HOST CITY at London’s Battersea Park at the close of the event’s first season.

“One of the most immediate ones was how we were going to take everything around the world to different venues.”

Formula E was about to put the logistics for the event out to tender when DHL stepped forward. “DHL said don’t do a bidding process, we want to be your partners; we really like the idea which fits very well with our ‘go green’ concept.”

Sabrina Asendorf, DHL’s Head of Sponsorship for Formula 1 & Formula E told HOST CITY “We joined Formula E in 2013, more or less exactly one year before their first race in Beijing took place in September 2014. 

“We pretty much bought into a concept that we felt was the right idea and vision at the right time with the right bunch of people. This was a very unique situation, to get involved as a major partner at such an early stage.”

Any rights holder would be pleased to have a major sponsor on board so early in an event’s development. “Of course DHL for us was an amazing partner to have – so we very quickly reached a positive agreement,” said Agag. “We especially liked the approach DHL had to minimise the carbon footprint of logistics.

“Any activity pollutes, and carrying all this equipment around the world does pollute, but there are ways of doing it that pollute less than others. I think really what we liked about the approach DHL was that they had a strategy in mind to minimise the carbon footprint of all the transportation of all the logistical operation of the Formula E Championship.”

The global transportation sector, of which logistics is a part, contributes 23 per cent to greenhouse gas emissions. “With that global footprint, we want to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem,” Asendorf said.

DHL was the first international logistics provider to set a measurable carbon efficiency target, to reduce carbon emissions in its operations by 30 per cent by 2020 compared to 2007. The company is making good progress in terms of achieving that target, according to Asendorf.

DHL also operates one of the largest fleets of trucks in the world and is looking into reducing its environmental impact. 

“One of the technologies that we are piloting is electric mobility. This is where we thought Formula E is an interesting concept to support. We see a lot of strong potential for using electric vehicles in the delivery of shipments to the receiver, especially in inner city venues.”

Formula E is forming an alliance of stakeholders from various backgrounds to speed up the development of electric mobility technology.

“This resonated very well with our own targets and objectives in the area of sustainability and got us very excited about Formula E right from the start,” said Asendorf. “We want to make a positive contribution to the quality of life on our planet.” 

From a point of view of fulfilling logistical requirements, the partnership has been a great success. “For us it has been fantastic because it really has been on time, everywhere – and it wasn’t easy, because we had a problem that no one else has,” said Agag.

“We transport lithium ion batteries, which are very heavily restricted – especially in air transportation.”

In 2013, when Formula E was still in development, a new aeroplane – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – had safety problems linked to batteries catching fire, which led to increased restrictions on flying batteries. 

“It’s been challenging to transport all this equipment around the world, but DHL has been amazing.”

Around 200 tonnes must be transported from one Formula E host city to the next in 10 to 15 containers. 

Battersea Park was the end of the road for the 2014/2015 season, after which all the materials for the race are stored at Formula E’s headquarters, a four-hour drive away at Donington Park. 

“We are really happy to be in Battersea. It was the best choice for us because there has not been one single traffic jam caused by the Formula E race,” said Agag.

“To be in the heart of London and not have an impact on traffic is a major achievement for us.” 

Other circuits presented bigger challenges. DHL’s Motorsport Deputy Managing Director Pierre Luiji Ferrari told HOST CITY “Miami was one of the most difficult, because we are really close to the city. I am sure the residents were not so happy, but it’s just for 24 hours.”

In Moscow, the circuit runs very close to Red Square, requiring roads to be blocked. Formula E is involved in designing the circuits but the ultimate decision is that of the city and transport authorities. 

At the FIA World Motor Sport Council in July, Miami dropped from the Formula E calendar for the 2015/2016 season. Paris was added to the circuit, with the other cities confirmed as Putrajaya (Malaysia), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Long Beach (USA), Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russia) and London (UK). The host of one race on 16 March 2016 remains unconfirmed, with Mexico City said to be the most likely candidate. 

Looking further ahead, Formula E plans to introduce new host cities to the championship. 

“We are looking at another race in Asia – and we would like to race in the Middle East,” Agag said. “And we are looking at a race in Switzerland because there is a change in law which means we can race there.”

Cities around the world are expressing an interest in hosting Formula E. 

“We have probably over 200 cities that have asked. When you tell them what you have to do, what it’s going to cost you, the implications and so on – then it filters down. There are some cities that really want it and others that are just asking to see how it works. 

“Realistically we will add five or six new more races in three of four years.

“We’ve been in discussions with DHL to figure out the logistics; we want to reduce the carbon footprint of the championship and we want to go to new locations.”

Ferrari summed up the appeal of hosting Formula E. “A lot of cities apparently want to have the race because it’s attractive. It’s downtown; it’s zero pollution, no noise – it’s easy to receive in a city.”

And as for how many races DHL could cope with, doubling in size is logistically feasible. “We can do it, no problem. Until you reach 34 it’s possible – after that we have to start considering complications.”

The Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES) and SOS Global Express has signed a three year agreement for “Logistics and Transportation” under the AGES Industry Partnership Program. 

“SOS Global is honoured to team up with AGES as their Logistics Partner,” said Stephen O’Connell, Vice President of SOS Global.

“Since we started the company in 1986 we have consistently expanded our reach into Global Events and we believe this Partnership is a natural expansion that will benefit all involved.” 

With the expertise and support of SOS Global AGES will develop new standards, procedures and other tools to increase efficiency and reduce costs for event logistics.

“It is not just about reliability and costs. Through our partnership we want to explore and find smarter solutions for our industry”, said Daniel Cordey, chairman of AGES. 

The Industry Partnership Program is a program created by AGES for leading industrial companies who are directly connected with the business of its members and are willing to support the initiatives of AGES in specific thematic categories. Through knowledge transfer and active involvement by the partners, the IPP shall contribute to the elaboration of new standards and policies for the event suppliers industry. AGES and EY recently signed a partnership for the category “Assurance, Tax and Legal”. 

SOS Global Express has provided freight forwarding and logistics for global events from the 1987 NFL Super Bowl and 1988 Olympic Games to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, Nanjing Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. 

Daniel Cordey, who was an executive director of Nüssli Group from 1990 to 2014, is moderating the panel discussion on Innovations in Event Infrastructure at HOST CITY 2015, the leading EU-based meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events, which takes place in Glasgow on 9th to 10th November.

DHL Express, Jordan has extended its support for Generations For Peace to increase the sustainability and impact of the Jordan Schools Programme.

The two organisations share an understanding of the fundamental importance of education, youth leadership and community empowerment. Generations For Peace focuses on empowering teachers and students to address local issues of conflict within schools, which compliments and aligns with DHL’s own “Go Teach” corporate social responsibility goals. 

 “Whilst hailing from different enterprise sectors, we share the common objectives and values that true partnership requires; we both believe that in working together we can achieve more positive impact,” said HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Founder and Chairman of Generations For Peace.

To mark this important milestone in the partnership, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein attended a special DHL event on 26 May celebrating Jordan Independence Day, in the presence of Mr Mahmoud Haj Hussein and his fellow DHL Express senior management team.

“Ours is a relationship that has been nurtured over three years and we are delighted to be able to further build on our commitment to Generations For Peace,” said Mahmoud Haj Hussein, Country Manager for DHL Express Jordan.

“At the heart of our highly valued collaboration is the promise that we are both dedicated to delivering excellence, a brighter future and significant improvements to many people’s lives.”

DHL will continue to support global shipments to Generations For Peace programmes across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

DB Schenker and Porsche Motorsport will take an important step toward climate neutrality by launching a global demonstration tour for the electrically powered GT4 e-Performance race car prototype. DB Schenker has organized a complete sustainable logistics solution for the electric race car’s trip around the world, which will include stops at select racing locations. Among other things, only the most environmentally friendly modes of transport will be used for the tour, which will cover a total of 13,000 kilometres. The GT4 e-Performance Tour will kick off at the end of January with the legendary GP Ice Race in Zell am See in Austria. After that, the electric race cars will be transported in a sustainable manner by ship, rail, and trucks to other events in Europe, the U.S., and Asia.

Both DB Schenker and Porsche have firmly incorporated sustainability aspects into their corporate strategies. For example, the international logistics service provider has set itself the goal of becoming the world’s leading provider of green logistics solutions and is thus the ideal partner for the Porsche GT4 e-Performance Tour.

“This partnership is enabling us to take a major step forward together on the road to green mobility – we’re very much looking forward to addressing this challenge, and we have the right solutions to ensure we’ll be successful,” says DB Schenker CEO Jochen Thewes. “During the tour, we will be able to highlight the progress we’ve made with the development of environmentally friendly transport and logistics solutions around the world.”

The customized logistics solution for the GT4 e-Performance Tour includes environmentally friendly and emission-free rail transport of the concept vehicles, as well as transport with all-electric trucks and ships powered by marine biofuels. The latter mainly consist of fuels made with used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME). DB Schenker plans to use its position as a partner for the tour to get new target groups interested in green logistics.

“We’re very happy that we were able to get DB Schenker onboard as a partner for our motorsports logistics,” says Barbara Frenkel, member of the Porsche Executive Board, with responsibility for Procurement, and also a co-initiator of the sports car manufacturer’s sustainability strategy.

“Together, we want to generate additional momentum for sustainability and sustainable solutions. Porsche has an ambitious sustainability strategy that we are implementing together with our suppliers. We are now taking steps to make our value chain carbon-neutral on balance by 2030, and this also includes ensuring a carbon-neutral service life on balance for future battery-electric models.”

Prototype for all-electric customer motorsports

The GT4 e-Performance will offer Porsche the possibility to provide customers with a motorsports option with all-electric race cars in the future. The strategy here makes use of the technology components in the IAA Mission R concept car, which Porsche presented in 2021 as a vision for the future, but which the company has now made a reality. The vehicle’s body is made of, among other things, composite materials based on natural fibers. The prototype, which is not for sale, will be presented for fans and potential customer teams around the world to marvel at during the tour. However, the electric race car will also collect valuable data during the tour, which will enable Porsche to gain new knowledge for use in the future – and not only for motorsports.

The global tour will begin with the prestigious GP Ice Race in Zell am See from January 27-29, 2023. After that, it will move on to the U.S., where the innovative concept vehicle will take part in the famous Grand Prix of Long Beach in April, as well as in other races. Then it’s on to the Asia-Pacific region for a series of events in the second half of the year.

DB Schenker’s stated goal: Clean logistics

As a pioneer in the field of innovative logistics solutions, DB Schenker has set itself the goal of becoming the world’s leading provider of green logistics services. The company continuously invests in renewable energy and environmentally friendly products for its customers in order to achieve its ambitious goal of ensuring climate neutrality by 2040. The company also plans to achieve complete sustainability transparency in 2023.

“We believe we have an obligation to continue our pioneering work and move ahead even further in the area of clean logistics – and ensure consistent and transparent communication in this regard as well,” says Thewes.  

About DB Schenker

With around 76,100 employees at more than 1,850 locations in over 130 countries,  DB Schenker is one of the world’s leading logistics service providers. The company operates land, air, and ocean transportation services, and it also offers comprehensive solutions for logistics and global supply chain management from a single source. DB Schenker is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2022. The company continuously invests in innovative transport solutions, renewable energy, and environmentally friendly products for its customers in order to achieve its ambitious goal of ensuring climate neutrality by 2040.

The logistics service provider, DB Schenker, announced the extension of its portfolio of climate-friendlier logistics solutions by opening the next chapter of greener transport in air freight. With immediate effect, customers can choose Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for their air transport to anywhere in the world and independent of the type of aircraft or airline used. Via virtual allocation of biofuel, it is possible to avoid up to 100 percent of CO2 emissions. The logistics service provider purchased over 11,000 tons of SAF and has avoided more than 33,000 tons of CO2e this year.

“We are very proud of the game-changing pioneer project we started with our trusted partner Lufthansa Cargo. Today, we take the next step by starting a global green air cargo network. We have purchased massive volumes of biofuel to push the decarbonization of our industry. Customers of DB Schenker can now virtually book SAF on all trade lanes to thousands of airports. This new flexibility is a success factor and good for the climate. Every ton of biofuel counts,” said Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker.

“Reducing the carbon footprint in supply chains is possible not only in a far-distanced future but already today. Yes, sustainability comes with a price. But now the choice is available: No DB Schenker customer needs to use traditional kerosene for their air freight anymore. We hope that this message will give further momentum towards sustainability in aviation. Customers who have tested or are already regularly using our SAF offer are very satisfied,” said Thorsten Meincke, Global Board Member for Air & Ocean Freight at DB Schenker.

SAF fueling greener air freight transport

SAF is a well-tested alternative fuel produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials such as used frying oil. The CO2 released during combustion in the engine is only the CO2 removed from the atmosphere during the photosynthesis phase of the plants employed to produce the oils SAF is refined from. DB Schenker only uses biofuel which is certified palm oil free. Currently, SAF is 3-5 times more expensive than regular fossil-based fuel.

For their ESG reporting, customers deciding to pay the premium for virtual allocation of SAF for an air freight shipment receive certification for the exact amount of greenhouse gases avoided. While the actual physical insertion of SAF might occur on different flights, the climate is protected as the exact CO2 emissions of a flight or shipment with conventional kerosene are avoided. This process is called a virtual application and can also be exercised for upstream emissions originating from the production and transport of the biofuel itself.

The new global offer complements DB Schenker’s unique weekly full charter route between Germany and China, launched in spring 2021 and still the only regular air cargo flight in the world to be fully covered by SAF. Over 150 round-trip flights with Lufthansa Cargo have already avoided more than 40,000 tons of CO2e. Individual SAF agreements with further airline partners, such as a recent purchase of SAF credits by Singapore Airlines, will also continue.

Source: Logistics Matters, the global blog by DB Schenker

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord is delighted to welcome the return of DB Schenker as Official Logistics Provider for the 17^th edition of SportAccord taking place from 5 – 10 May 2019 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

As one of the leading supply chain management and logistics solutions providers worldwide,
DB Schenker has been a long-standing Delivery Partner for SportAccord. With dedicated multi-lingual teams located worldwide for the sport event industry, this puts DB Schenker in a strong position when it comes to supporting the needs of delegates.

Commenting on the longevity of the partnership, Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord said: “We are delighted DB Schenker has come on-board once more as the Official Logistics Provider for SportAccord 2019. Working closely with DB Schenker for many years has contributed to the smooth-running of our event operations.

“To have their loyalty, expertise and know-how is invaluable to our event, and as in previous years, SportAccord delegates will be offered preferential rates for Gold Coast. It goes without saying that it makes sense to use DB Schenker for the Gold Coast edition of SportAccord.”

To register as a SportAccord delegate, exhibitor or partner and take advantage of the Official Schedule, attendees will be able to enjoy over 20 networking events and the popular 3-day Exhibition, have access to 50+ conference sessions and the Sports Festival, taking place at the Gold Coast Conference and Exhibition Centre situated alongside the shores of Queensland’s stunning coastline.

Commenting on their involvement in global events including the Asian Games 2018, Christian Schultz, SVP Product Management Sports Events at DB Schenker said:  

“DB Schenker is one of the world’s leading global logistics provider, also when it comes to sports. We are not only part of the biggest sport events worldwide, but we make them possible in the first place.”

Delegates will also be able to meet the DB Schenker team during SportAccord 2019 at Booth No. 9 to discuss their future business needs and requirements.

With an ever-growing list of organisations becoming involved in SportAccord 2019, exhibitors, partners and delegates can contact the dedicated DB Schenker team at au.dl.tme.sportaccord2019@dbschenker.com to discuss the delivery of booths, exhibits and promotional material.

To become an Exhibitor or Partner contact the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 21 612 3070.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #SA2019, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook.

For media enquiries, email the Media Relations Officer: jenny.edmondson@sportaccord.com

SportAccord

SportAccord brings together international sports federations and organisations involved in the business of sport. The annual World Sport & Business Summit is a six-day event attended by leaders of the global sports community. It engages international sports federations, athletes, industry, rights holders, organising committees, cities, government, agencies, media, technology, legal teams, medical professionals, inventors, and subject matter experts – represented at the highest levels.

SportAccord is the only global sports business event attended by all the international sports federations and their stakeholders, who host their Annual General Assemblies during SportAccord.

These stakeholders include: ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and Associate Members. SportAccord receives the full support of the International Olympic Committee.

Follow #SA2019 and #SA2020 on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr       

DB Schenker

DB Schenker is committed to providing innovative supply chain solutions that challenge the status quo. As a global industry leader with more than 140 years of logistics experience, DB Schenker is proud to support industry and trade in the global exchange of goods.

For further information visit www.dbschenker.com, dbschenker (LinkedIn)

For press enquiries, contact Mirko-A Kahre, mirko-alexander.kahre@dbschenker.com
+49 1523 75 79 468 (M), +49 201 8781 8726 (P)

Saan Trucking is a young independent company that originated in 2012 from Royal Dutch Saan, a family-based company with a great history in logistic services.

For the last couple of years, many touring-shows and complicated logistic projects have been trusted to our expertise. We strive for quality and continuity, which results in long term partnerships with our clients, the allocation of extraordinary one-off projects and a growing market share in fast trucking services. Our focus lies on the road in front of us, but our view is beyond the horizon.

Saan Trucking makes sure that live entertainment can be truly live. Any time, any place in Europe. We offer custom-made transport solutions for live entertainment productions. Our strength is characterized by high quality service and our engagement with our customers all along the road. With a small committed team, we provide the best trucking service for the best price.

We do many different types of live entertainment trucking projects; family entertainment, one-off projects, some smaller orchestras, sports events, music performances.

Disney on Ice

As one of the most popular family-entertainment shows in the world, Disney on Ice has been around for many years. This special show casts more than 50 well-known Disney-stars, performing over 30 sing-alongs from the entertainment company.

The show “100 Years of Magic” was touring Europe in the winter-season 2016-2017, performing more than 250 shows in 31 cities within 6 months. For this show, Saan Trucking was chosen to arrange the transports within the continent, deploying 22 trailers on average and driving over half a million kilometres. The show includes two ice-sets that move separately to the other equipment. The result is a production that requires three separate planning and routing operations that need to be overseen.

Holland Heineken House

Holland Heineken House is the national home of the Dutch Olympic Committee and the overseas home to all the Dutch athletes, families, fans and sponsors during the Olympic Games. In 2014 Saan Trucking was granted the full logistics operation for building the Holland Heineken House in Sochi, Russia during the Olympic Winter games.

This logistics project took about five months and covered the whole operation from planning until the return of all equipment to all vendors. Due to safety regulations and driving bans as an effect of the Olympic Games, we faced a tight timeframe to get all the equipment into Sochi. The operation consisted of loading on various locations, transfer, parking and just-in-time delivery at the venue.

We executed the transfer of 19 trailers from the Netherlands to Sochi using two ferry transfers. The first from Germany to Latvia was used to reduce turnaround time and economic reasons. A 2,500 km drive brought us to the second ferry; this ferry was mandatory due to a driving ban for the route to Sochi. Together with all the extra safety regulations, this was the biggest challenge for this job.

Thanks to our experience and extending network in Russia we concluded this project with a quick return home. The Holland Heineken House is a typical example of a close cooperation with our client and our experience with a-typical one-off projects.

Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier offshore race which is held every three years since 1973. It belongs to the largest sailing events in the world and it is considered the toughest sailing competition for teams. For the 2014-2015 edition Saan Trucking supported the official logistics supplier GAC Pindar with extra coordination, storage and flexible transport service.

We supported the race in three different ways. First, we provided full coordination and storage of an extra mast and accessories in a strategic location in Amsterdam. The mast should be 24/7 available if it was to be used as a substitute on one of the boats of the race.

Secondly, we transported several supplies from suppliers of the Volvo Ocean Race in the Netherlands to the start of the race in Alicante, Spain. Therefore, we used 10 trailers to Alicante, collect containers, lift-offs and one of the chassis was provided by us at the suppliers. Finally, we provided the transport for several stopovers in Europa, from Lisbon to the finish in Gothenburg, Denmark. Because of the tight race schedule, the challenge was to provide all the equipment in time. Therefore, we combined ferry and road transport, most of the time overnight.

The Volvo Ocean Race is a typical example of a successful sports event collaboration between the client, Saan Trucking and a third party in logistics.

Our fleet consist of tractors, box, softside and flatbed trailers, both mega and standard. All our trailers are equipped with the necessary facilities such as e-tracks at various heights, ratchet straps and load-bars. Recently we have expanded our fleet with five new trucks, all branded in our company colours to match with our current fleet.

We believe it’s not only about the trucks on the road, it’s about the people who drive the trucks. Our dedicated drivers speak fluent English and are very experienced in handling any live entertainment production successfully. Our drivers think beyond transport and provide additional services on site where possible. We offer transport solutions suitable to your needs. We put great care in personal contact with our clients, therefore you can contact us 24/7 by email and phone. If necessary, even in the middle of the night. So please do not hesitate to contact us about the possibilities of supporting your live event.

This article was contributed by Saan Trucking. For more information visit www.saantrucking.com

DB Schenker is proud to have been the official logistics provider for the host broadcaster of the Asian Games 2018. Held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, from 17 August to 2 September, the Asian Games 2018 is the second largest international sporting event after the Olympics. Some 45 nations participated in 463 events – covering 40 sports in various venues between the two cities.

Sports Events Logistics experts at DB Schenker from more around 16 countries worked hard behind the scenes to transport broadcasting and stationary equipment to Indonesia, so that audiences at home around the world could support their country’s athletes live on television during the 2018 Asian Games.

In early 2018, PT Schenker Petrolog Utama (DB Schenker Indonesia) and DB Schenker Sports Events Germany were appointed by the International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) to handle the temporary importation and re-exportation of broadcasting equipment for the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.

This meant nothing less than taking on the responsibility of ensuring millions of viewers worldwide would be able to enjoy Indonesia's largest international sports event to date.

The first time Indonesia hosted the event was in 1962, the country and the whole media environment was much different back then. The 2018 Asian Games were originally slated to be hosted by Hanoi, Vietnam, but the country backed out from the appointment after stating concerns over costs.

Our logistical tasks included bringing in all the technical equipment needed for an International Broadcast Centre set up at Jakarta Convention Centre in Senayan, Jakarta, from where the broadcasting signals of the Games were spread across the world – as well as handling the deliveries and pickups for the various broadcasters from each of the participating nations in the 43 venues where competitions were broadcast live.

IGBS were very careful in choosing a good partner to do this. This is equipment coming from four continents, it was more than 2.600 single pieces and cases, all very sensitive electronic appliances and we did the whole thing door-to-door: pick up in the origin country, importation into Indonesia, customs clearance duly and in time, delivery up to broadcasting compound and respectively backwards on the re-export after the Games are finished.

Without a dedicated team working around the clock for months in the preparation and then again months in the execution, this would not have been possible.

With fully chartered cargo airplanes and many other regular scheduled flights that successfully landed between early July and mid-August at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the DB Schenker Indonesia team carried several hundred tons of broadcasting equipment owned by IGBS and other independent broadcasting companies from all over the world. This included equipment that had been used for the FIFA World Cup in Russia earlier this year.

Several shipments were also delivered by ocean freight to the Jakarta International Container Terminal. In major international sports events such as the Asian Games, time constraints are a common challenge faced by logistics companies.

Indonesia was very enthusiastic about hosting this event and it was a great success in the end. However, getting there was a wild ride on a rollercoaster of arrangements and back and forth with authorities and regulating bodies. Never had so much broadcasting equipment been brought in and out of the country in such a short period of time, so there was no one with a track record or a blueprint of how to do it. As everyone that has been around in the country for a while can tell, sometimes the simplest endeavour can turn into a most adventurous undertaking and usually, certainties are not part of the equation. Organizing this logistics project went in pretty much the same style: until everything was set up, no one could really tell how it would work out in the end.

But the experience that often in this country, the last minute before a deadline is the most powerful leverage for many things to start moving into the right place, allowed us to maintain the typical faith and calmness that are hard to explain to outsiders.

Once again, Indonesia has proven to the world and each and every one of us that here, everything that is seasoned with the right portion of patience, creativity and endurance, can turn into a success.

DB Schenker is Silver Sponsor of Host City 2018, where Future City Mobility and Event Logistics is one of many exciting agenda topics

The International Triathlon Union has extended its partnership with SEL Sport & Events Logistics (SEL) to serve not only as the global logistics partner for ITU but also the travel solutions partner, offering “360 degrees” services.

“We are delighted to further develop our relationship with SEL, which has proven itself to be delivering and adding value to ITU to the highest standards”, said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.

“We are thrilled that a company such as SEL Logistics, which has more than 25 years of experience in major events, will be delivering not only the logistic services they’ve been providing for more than a year, but will also take care of all ITU travel solutions as an international sporting federation with multiple events across the world.

“The delivery of our branding elements from race to race all over the world, and the travels of all ITU staff, Technical Officials, and Executive Board are now centralised and organised to the best quality standards.”

SEL Sport & Events Logistics will now provide logistics and freight forwarding for the ITU to all World Triathlon Series (WTS) events in 2017 and extend this service to all 15 World Cups, Paratriathlon World Series and Paratriathlon World Cups.

And as part of its “360 degrees” services, SEL will implement its travel solutions to centralise workloads and increase productivity around the available resources.

“Triathlon is a sport for all – for all ages, for all levels of competition – truly global. So for us to have the opportunity to support ITU in its quest to broaden its reach, we are excited said Pier Bottero, Chief Executive at SEL.

“We shall always endeavour to optimise solutions and services for ITU, and all stakeholders.”

ITU and SEL said they will continue to develop the partnership towards 2020 and beyond as they seek to improve efficiency for LOCs, athletes and fan experiences at ITU events worldwide.

By the time the time the athletes on the track hear the starting pistol, the team from DB SCHENKERsportsevents has already completed most of its work. The logistics experts are organisation specialists for major sports events. They begin their preparations long in advance, developing logistics plans for management committees, associations, hospitality firms, sponsors, and service providers.

DB Schenker is the leading name in international sports and events logistics. Its partners come from every sporting discipline – football, winter games, sailing, athletics, motorsport and a lot more besides. Around the globe, DB SCHENKERsportsevents employs some 150 people who put their expertise at their customers' disposal, combining precision logistics with a passion for sporting pursuits of all stripes.

Always on the ball

In sports terms, 2016 was a superlative year. DB SCHENKERsportsevents toured the planet as it delivered logistics services at the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio, the UEFA EURO tournament in France, and a host of big-name tracks for the Formula One season.

These major events required months of preparations, which covered everything from long-distance planning to on-site services, and which were then followed up by the necessary activities following the events' conclusion.

An Olympian task

From delivering canoes for the competition itself to champagne for the party afterwards, the German team at DB SCHENKERsportsevents dispatched over 1,030 shipping containers of material to Rio. They contained essential provisions for the Olympic Village, the German national team, the house that served as their residence during the Games, as well as for the opening and closing celebrations and the VIP catering service organised for every stadium.

"As long ago as September 2015, i.e. almost a full year before the Games, one of our team was already in Rio to coordinate and oversee our planning activities on-site,” Christian Schultze, SVP at DB SCHENKERsportsevents.

“The most intense period for us was just before the Games, and then the whole team was involved. The Olympics and Paralympics represent a challenge, but it's one that we enjoy taking on time and again."

The Olympic Village has accommodated some 17,000 athletes during the course of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. DB Schenker sent some 940 containers of material to Rio to equip the village, which is often described as the "heart" of the Games. At no other sporting event do so many world-class athletes live in such close proximity, and the village is designed to provide every possible service from accommodation and catering to training facilities and platforms for meetings and events.

Similarly, the German house served as a place where athletes and figures from the worlds of sport, politics, business and the media could congregate. DB SCHENKERsportsevents had 100 per cent responsibility for all logistics activities at the site. As the exclusive logistics partner for the German house at Rio 2016, DB SCHENKERsportsevents planned and performed everything connected with the logistics pertaining to this traditional hub for meetings and mingling at the event.

As the official logistics partner of the Olympic teams from Austria, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland, DB Schenker made use of its respective national offices to make sure that the athletes' equipment made it to Rio on time. Similarly, DB Schenker staff in China, Japan and South Korea played a role in transporting television equipment from these countries, while employees in Singapore organised the transportation of the Singaporean sailing team's boats and other equipment.

Following the end of the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games, the work of DB SCHENKERsportsevents continues. Once the television broadcasts stopped and after the last athletes embarked on their homeward journeys, the logistics specialists spent about two months working on returning and forwarding the items sent to Brazil for the Games.

A race between racing events

DB SCHENKERsportsevents is also responsible for the pan-European logistics needs of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, which relies on the experts for support between Formula One races. Whenever an event is held somewhere in Europe, DB SCHENKERsportsevents is in the thick of things.

Sometimes, races are just one week apart, a week during which the racing team needs to have a new home built for them at their next destination. When the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS drivers, cars, mechanics and other team members arrive for the new racing challenge, their motorhome needs to be ready and waiting for them.

In other words, everything has to be dismantled, loaded and transported to the next destination in the shortest time possible. It's the logistics provider's very own race between races. The moment the equipment arrives, 18 experts set to work in several shifts to complete the motorhome's construction in around 36 hours. Every step of this process has to run completely according to plan so that the construction team can hand over the keys on time.