DHL speeds F1 into Singapore

Singapore - Last-minute shipments, special requests for food and equipment, fussy drivers and a high level of secrecy: these are just some of the things DHL has to deal with when delivering the F1 equipment into Singapore in time for the nation's first-ever race.

DHL said it became the official logistics partner for Formula One (F1) in 2004, and works closely with Formula One Management (FOM).

"Throughout the F1 racing season, DHL moves up to 300 tons of equipment per race across four continents and between 17 countries by land, sea and air, to a tightly controlled timetable," said Dan McHugh, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific.

DHL said it will be bringing to Singapore some three 747s with 300 tons of airfreight and 50 40-foot containers for the race. The shipment includes everything from cars to banners, replacement parts like engines, tires as well as food and champagne for the VIP tents. The cargo is expected to arrive in Singapore from 20-21 September.

In a conference call with the Singapore media, Thomas Nieszner, CEO of Europe and CEE of DHL global forwarding, which is the arm in charge of moving the F1 race, said the team feels a sense of nervousness providing the logistics to a nation that has never hosted the F1 race before.

"There's a sense of nervousness in a way, but we are extremely well prepared for [the Singapore race]," he said.

According to him, the biggest challenge moving the F1 is timing, as sometimes the time between each race can be as short as ten days. The company said it is equipped to begin the move to the next race venue (Japan and Europe) in as short as three hours after flag off in Singapore. 

DHL will also have an "Extra Services Team" on standby to meet special requirements of the teams, organisers and sponsors. Deliveries to and from the track can be made within 24 hours by express flights.

The company said it will also set up a mobile DHL Logistics centre at the racetrack to offer round-the-clock service for urgent shipments, customs clearance as well as shipments of hazardous goods and temperature-controlled items.

"Even while the race is on, engineers are constantly working on improvements and parts need to be available at a moment's notice," McHugh said. "Any delay in the transportation can have severe consequences for the team's results."