DHL is the official logistics partner of the 11th Volvo Ocean Race, a round-the world yacht race starting in Alicante, Spain, on 29th October.
The 3PL will be responsible for air, sea, and land transport of all equipment for the competitors. It will use 152 shipping containers to move hundreds of tons of materials from the starting point in Spain to the finish in Galway, Ireland.
DHL will manoeuvre two identical sets of 40ft ocean freight containers for each team according to the leapfrog principle. Each set includes all gear for stopover repairs and maintenance, such as loft hand tools, lifejacket kits and rig lifting slings.
The teams use the content of the first container during the first leg while DHL delivers the second container to the next destination. As the teams take over the second container at the next leg, DHL prepares the previously used first container for the next stopover.
Reinier Vens, DHL project director for the race, said: “Our proceedings will be monitored from an international control centre especially established for the race. We ensure the smooth procedure of the race by supplying the race organisers, race teams, and partners with the full range of freight forwarding and venue logistics services.”
In addition to the ocean freight containers, DHL provides each team with a number of air cargo containers, for emergency use.
DHL will also provide haulage of pavilions for visitors to the ten race villages, as well as managing the short-term supply of spare parts, via a specially established spare parts depot at the airport in Amsterdam.
