The Alfred Wegener Institute , also known as the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), is recognized worldwide for its significant contributions to ocean and polar research. With a comprehensive approach encompassing marine biology, glaciology, and climate research, the institute helps us understand the impacts of climate change on the Earth system. At we transported ice cores from Norway to Germany on behalf of the AWI, and in this article, we will take a closer look at the transport process.

Preparations

We have enjoyed the trust of the AWI for many years and support the research center with a wide variety of transport needs. Consequently, we are very familiar with this client's requirements. Nevertheless, there is a significant difference between transporting equipment or crates and moving highly sensitive goods, such as ice cores, from point A to point B. Everyone on our team is acutely aware of the responsibility for this cargo and eagerly anticipates the journey. But before it can even begin, several preparations must be made. This starts with the usual tasks, such as route planning, and extends to driver selection, the necessary equipment, and provisions for the journey.
The ice cores extracted in the Arctic are invaluable to the AWI's research. They contain information about the region's climate over millennia and can provide insights into the historical changes in the ice and climate. Therefore, if the transport specifications are not met, the ice cores become unusable for scientific research.
The experience we gained with a similar transport a few years ago proved invaluable for this one. We were able to anticipate all known eventualities and prevent any potential problems. Therefore, we brought a generator specifically for this transport to compensate for a possible failure of the refrigeration unit. This had caused some headaches during the last transport, and it required considerable ingenuity to ensure its successful completion. Thanks to our dispatcher, a trained automotive mechanic, the cargo arrived undamaged in Bremerhaven. Naturally, our dispatcher also accompanied, expertly managed, and documented this transport.

The transport itself

The journey was scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM on September 21, 2023. The day before, the truck underwent a thorough inspection: in addition to the standard checks a truck driver performs, the generator's functionality was tested. Various connection cables with different plugs for the refrigerated container were packed, and the generator itself was secured to the container chassis. The truck
departed on time, and the eyes of the colleagues who had stayed behind watched it travel down the road. The drive from Stuhr to Sweden went
smoothly. However, once the vehicle crossed the Swedish border, it encountered a traffic jam. Fortunately, it didn't last long, but in such a vast country, one doesn't expect to be stuck in traffic.
With appropriate breaks and some amusing encounters with moose in the impressive Scandinavian landscape, the vehicle and driver arrived safely in Tromsø and now had more than a day off to enjoy Norway.
Well-rested, the AWI's special container was picked up on Monday, September 25th, and the journey home began. This time, ferries had to be avoided because they require leaving the vehicle and going on deck. This would pose a risk to the ice cores, as the cooling alarm, while loud, is inaudible on deck amidst the noise of a ferry. Therefore, if problems arose, it would be impossible to react in time to prevent damage. Consequently, a different route home had to be chosen, requiring the entire journey to be driven, even though it took longer.
Without incident or major delays, the truck, container, and drivers arrived back home late on September 27th, and the container was handed over to the AWI in Bremerhaven early on September 28th.
Thus ended this exciting journey, and we eagerly await the insights gained from the analysis of the ice cores. They will undoubtedly help to advance research into climate change.

Thanks

At this point, we would like to sincerely thank the Alfred Wegener Institute for allowing us to report on this transport, and I would also like to personally my colleague Bernhard , who kept in touch with us and maintained contact throughout the process. This report would not have been possible without his efforts.