I couldn’t resist the pun, but what a fantastic piece of cargo to be transporting, don’t you think? I mean the fossilized skull of a Triceratops that Rhenus helped return home to the U.S., on behalf of Europe’s leading paleontologists at ZOIC in Trieste, Italy. A journey that required careful planning to ensure the integrity of such a rare and important piece of historical and scientific research.
The internet tells you that “Triceratops is special because of its distinctive three-horned skull, massive bony frill, and its role as one of the last and most iconic non‑avian dinosaurs.” It was a large herbivore that lived in the Late Cretaceous period in North America, around 68-66 million years ago – one of the last large dinosaurs before they were wiped out. Non-avian, and yet, 68 million years later, it gets to take its first flights. CargoForwarder Global tried to find out which charter aircraft type and company was used as this was not mentioned in the press release, but received no response by time of writing, so it remains a mystery. What we do know is its size: weighing 318 kg, the skull was 80 cm high, 120 cm wide, and 185 cm in length. A seemingly small version, since Triceratops skulls can measure around 2 to 2.5 meters in length, and up to 2 meters in width – fitting for a body that was usually around 8-9 meters long and weighed in at around 6-10 tons.
The skull had originally come from the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota. After extensive restoration at ZOIC’s laboratories in Trieste/Italy, it then made its way to Milan’s Malpensa Airport (MXP), and from there to Dallas, Texas (DFW), and on to a Dallas gallery. While ZOIC designed its custom packaging, using advanced shock-absorbing systems and specialized materials for maximum protection, Rhenus Logistics arranged all transport – from collection at the restoration site and road transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), air freight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and final delivery to the gallery in Dallas, Texas.
Paola Calloni, Air Freight Product Country Manager at Rhenus Italy, said: “When it comes to cultural assets, logistics plays a strategic role. We are not just moving an object. We are safeguarding scientific and historical heritage that demands expertise and responsibility.”
Giorgia Bacchia, Logistics and Compliance Manager at ZOIC, commented: “Bringing paleontology to the world means uniting science and logistics. It’s a collaborative effort that ensures the stories of the past continue to be heard.”
