Abu Dhabi Classics rely on DB Schenker logistics
Transport of musical instruments for the Vienna Philharmonic in four days through three countries.
The Vienna Philharmonic performed on 15 and 16 February at the Abu Dhabi Classics with the logistical support of DB Schenker Germany. Since 2008 the festival in the United Arab Emirates has featured cultural highlights from all over the world.
On behalf of the Abu Dhabi Department for Culture and Cultural Heritage, experts from DB Schenker Germany prepared instruments and crates of clothing for air freight to the United Arab Emirates after a concert in Doha, Qatar.
There DB Schenker employees loaded the instruments onto special trucks directly after passing through customs.
The vehicles had a maximum interior temperature of 23°C and thus ensured that the harps, double basses, violins and other sensitive instruments were transported safely to the Emirates Palace Auditorium, the main venue of the Abu Dhabi Classics, where they were set up back stage in their orchestral arrangement.
Specialists from DB Schenker Germany helped the orchestra manager and musicians to unpack the instruments. In spite of the short time available, the orchestra was able to organise a rehearsal before the start of the concert.
Directly after the concert most of the instruments were packed and transported in special vehicles to the airport. There the export formalities were completed overnight and the entire transport loaded onto pallets.
The remaining instruments were required for a chamber music concert on the morning of the departure. After the concert they had to be cleared for export within two hours to ensure that the travel schedule could be maintained.
The combined passenger and freight aircraft chartered specially by DB Schenker Germany took off at 2 p.m. for Lyon, France.
Apart from customs clearance and loading of the instruments, the DB Schenker Germany experts also had to organise travel for all members of the orchestra, including check in, catering, passenger lists, seat arrangements and safety measures.
In France the Vienna Philharmonic was assisted by the DB Schenker national company. The next concert was scheduled for the following day.
DB Schenker Germany has been responsible since the 2008/2009 season for the logistical arrangements for world-renowned artists performing at the Abu Dhabi Classics.