Cathay Cargo Successfully Transports Terracotta Warriors and Artefacts to Australia
Cathay Cargo has transported ten terracotta warriors and over 200 artefacts to the Western Australian Museum as part of an exhibition.
Cathay Cargo Successfully Transports Terracotta Warriors and Artefacts to Australia
Cathay Cargo takes pride in having transported ten terracotta army figures and over 200 artefacts from Xi’an to Perth via Hong Kong for the ongoing Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition.
This stunning historical display was organised by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, with additional support from various Chinese heritage organizations and the WA Museum Boola Bardip.
The director for museums and exhibitions at the WA Museum, Jason Fair, stated: “What makes this exhibition unique and the first of its kind is its impressive collection of priceless artefacts. Most of the objects have never been seen in Australia before, with nearly half leaving China for the first time. It is our mission to inspire curiosity. We hope people gain an understanding of the culture, history, and people of China, along with this pivotal moment in Chinese history.”
A Painstakingly Careful Shipment
The transportation of these priceless cultural treasures showcases Cathay Cargo’s expertise in handling special cargo, as well as their commitment to the precision needed to move invaluable items.
Cathay devised a customized transportation plan, developed closely with the shipment custodians and cargo partners, taking into account the unique nature and specific packaging requirements of the artefacts.
The detailed plan addressed every aspect to ensure safe and secure storage, transport, and delivery of these irreplaceable historical pieces, all under constant CCTV surveillance and the watchful eyes of highly trained Cathay Cargo professionals.
According to Tom Owen, Cathay’s director of cargo, “The terracotta warriors are among China’s most iconic cultural treasures. It is a great privilege to help bring Chinese culture to the world.”
Owen also noted that moving these historical items involved meticulous preparation and collaboration between various teams and authorities across Hong Kong, China, and Australia.
Implementation of the Plan
While the statues and artefacts originate in Xi’an, they were first taken to Zhengzhou prior and then flown to Australia through Cathay’s Hong Kong hub.
The Cathay Cargo team oversaw the initial inventory check and packaging in Xi’an, with shipments monitored via GPS throughout the journey until arrival at Zhengzhou Airport. Once in Zhengzhou, the cargo was directed to a secure delivery zone.
Cathay’s plan ensured the utmost care was taken with each artefact, employing safety nets and straps to prevent movement during transit.
The shipment was closely matched to the customer’s loading diagrams to reduce impact during take-off and landing, with real-time surveillance through the ground-handling process.
