SÃO PAULO, Brazil, Dec. 1st, 2008 — FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has just sent a very valuable shipment to Buenos Aires from São Paulo: six polo horses. Worth US$ 500,000 each, the horses were placed on FedEx airplanes to take part in the world polo championship.
The three-hour flight called for a special operation and the leasing of specific equipment to accommodate the animals, including transport bays and a special seat for the veterinarian and assistant. The IATA requires that for every six animals shipped, one qualified attendant who is fluent in English attend the trip.
“It is an honor to be the transportation company chosen for this delicate shipment. This decision proves that FedEx is the most trusted company for transportation, regardless of the size of the shipment”, says Carlos Ienne, managing director of FedEx Express for the Mercosul region.
The shipment of the horses– each weighing about 500 kg– complied with the strict sanitary requirements before arrival in the Argentine capital. All the animals were sedated to guarantee flight safety during takeoff. “Few companies have the infrastructure and human resources to transport live cargo”, says Ienne.
Out-of-the-Box Cargo
Other remarkable cargoes transported by FedEx include a yacht for the U.S. sailing team during the 2000 Paralympic Games, a windmill from Denmark, a five-ton helicopter, and an eight-ton statue of a war hero. As the official sponsor of the CART FedEx Championship Series, FedEx is in charge of logistics for more than 50 cars in more than 20 CART races, in five countries on four continents.
FedEx has a flight from Viracopos, Brazil to Memphis (U.S.A.) five days a week and to the South Cone five times a week, as well as a highly-committed team skilled in transporting horses or any other cargo to more than 220 countries around the world.
FedEx Express has been operating in Brazil since 1989, through its own stations in the cities of Campinas (SP), São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Porto Alegre (RS) and Blumenau (SC). In other cities, the operation is run by our network of Licensed Transporters, such as Rapidão Cometa, Expresso Araçatuba and Transportadora Americana.
The FedEx delivery network reaches 2,850 Brazilian cities, covering about 90% of Brazil’s GDP and offers three International Shipment Centers (two in São Paulo and one in Rio de Janeiro) and 35 Authorized FedEx Shipment Centers.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee. FedEx Express Latin America & Caribbean Division services more than 50 countries and territories throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and employs more than 3,400 people committed to total customer satisfaction each business day.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a vast portfolio of logistics, e-commerce and commercial services. With gross revenue of U$ 38 billion, FedEx offers integrated business solutions through operators, competing collectively and managing collaboratively under the respected FedEx brand. Positioned consistently amongst the most admired companies, with reliable staff, FedEx inspires its over 290,000 employees and suppliers to remain absolutely and positively focused on security, on the highest ethical and professional standards, and on the needs of their consumers and communities.