Hong Kong - Agility recently played a crucial supporting role in successfully transporting 22 tonnes of musical instruments within Pyongyang, on behalf of the world famous New York Philharmonic Orchestra for a debut concert in the North Korean capital. This was the first time that an international logistics company had provided such support.

The orchestra arrived from Beijing by charter flight at Pyongyang and the musical instruments had to be transferred within a few hours into the concert hall and back to the airport. The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of their recent Asia tour, contracted Agility Fairs & Events Canada and Agility Korea to handle the logistics for the concerts in Pyongyang and Seoul.

A fleet of four Agility trucks were given the green light to travel the 192km across the border from Seoul to the North Korean capital. The vehicles, with air-suspension and temperature-control equipment, were carrying broadcast equipment for television companies to Pyongyang in order for the concert to air to a global audience.

All of the instruments and orchestra equipment were transported from Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport to the East Pyongyang National Theatre.

“The operation was demanding, keeping in mind the freezing weather conditions (-12C) and the need for very careful handing of this sophisticated and high value cargo in a span of a few hours. We had to ensure that our trucks kept a constant temperature of +22C at all times” commented Olaf Tauschke, Senior Vice President of Agility Asia Pacific Region.

“This was the first time for any international logistics group to provide logistics support for an event such as this in Pyongyang. All of us in Agility are very honoured that we have been entrusted to be part of this historical event,” he added.

Agility Korea carried out a similar operation for the New York Philharmonic orchestra the day after the Pyongyang concert in Seoul. After the cargo was transferred by air to Incheon Airport, Agility trucks picked up the musical instruments and equipment for a performance at the Seoul Arts Center, before the cargo was delivered to the airport for the return trip to New York, with Agility handling the air freight back to the orchestra’s home base.

The successful project was due to detailed planning for months prior to the event between Agility Fairs & Events Canada and Agility Korea.

The Pyongyang concert, which also reached  a worldwide television audience, was part of a cultural exchange effort, and a decision that was supported by the U.S. Department of State for the opportunities it offered to enhance mutual understanding."