world - Kuehne + Nagel

Markets & Products
17
On arrival at the racing circuit, the containers were positioned behind the pits of the
appropriate teams. This ensured that the mechanics and race engineers could unload the
freight in an optimum manner.
Milko Tass, General Manager Highspeed
Logistics with Kuehne + Nagel in the
Netherlands and a participant in the race.
“Of course I was not personally
involved in this exciting transport
project as a racing driver. But I did
get first-hand reports of the race
teams’ reactions to the work of my
Kuehne + Nagel colleagues. The
unanimous feedback: an impressive,
highly professional performance
from beginning to end.”
After the ship’s arrival in the port of Jebel Ali at the beginning of January and the
discharge of the containers, the boxes were to be transported by land to the Dubai
racing circuit in its spectacular desert setting. But the operation was held up by an
unforeseen event: all public life in the Gulf state was brought to a standstill by the
sudden death of Sheikh Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United
Arab Emirates. It was only as a result of intensive negotiations between the local
Kuehne + Nagel staff and the authorities that the cars could be transported punctually
to their destination despite the official state mourning; a delay would have
meant the cancellation of the first 24-hour race in the Middle East.
To ensure that the freight could be unloaded in an optimum manner and that the
mechanics and engineers had the whole of their material ready at hand during
the race, Kuehne + Nagel lined up the containers at the racing circuit behind the
pits of the appropriate race teams; now there was no obstacle to the eagerly
awaited 24-hour race in the Dubai desert.
When the race was over, the return journey was also organised by the Kuehne + Nagel
team; a repeat performance for the big 24-hour race in the Dubai desert in 2007 is
not ruled out.
Kuehne + Nagel World No. 1/2006