Meticulous Logistics by Cathay Cargo Bring Xi’an’s Terracotta Figures to Western Australia’s Museum
(IN SHORT) Cathay Cargo has executed a high-security shipment of ten terracotta army figures and over 200 artefacts from Xi’an to Perth for the “Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor” exhibition. Utilising its Cathay Expert and Cathay Secure services, the carrier collaborated with cultural authorities and logistics partners to develop a fully custom transport plan, featuring GPS tracking, CCTV monitoring, specialised packaging, and trained pallet teams. Cathay Cargo Director Tom Owen emphasized the privilege of handling China’s iconic relics and underscored the meticulous coordination across multiple jurisdictions. The exhibition, hosted by WA Museum Boola Bardip with support from several Chinese heritage organisations, runs until February 22, 2026, and showcases many items never previously seen outside China. After the display’s close, Cathay Cargo will manage the safe repatriation of these invaluable treasures.
(PRESS RELEASE) HONG KONG, 2025-Jul-1 — /Travel PR News/ — On Monday, June 30, 2025, Cathay Cargo successfully conveyed ten life-sized terracotta figures along with more than 200 accompanying artefacts from Xi’an to Perth, routing the shipment through its Hong Kong hub. This transport supported the “Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor” exhibition, a collaborative project led by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, with backing from the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, and WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Demonstrating its hallmark “We Know How” proficiency, Cathay Cargo employed its Cathay Expert and Cathay Secure solutions to tailor every aspect of the logistics. From initial inventory checks and bespoke packaging in Xi’an to GPS-monitored transfer to Zhengzhou Airport and onward airlift, every phase was engineered for maximum protection. Inside Cathay’s specialised build-up zone, skilled pallet teams used safety nets and precision-tension straps to immobilise the artefacts, with 24/7 CCTV oversight and real-time ground-handling surveillance ensuring uninterrupted security.
Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen reflected on the project: “Entrusted with China’s most famous cultural icons, we took great care—partnering closely with custodians and authorities across the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Australia—to safeguard each relic. It’s a privilege to bring these treasures from Xi’an to Perth and to highlight Cathay Cargo’s expertise in special-cargo transport.”
Once in Perth, the exhibition runs through February 22, 2026, presenting visitors with the awe-inspiring terracotta warriors alongside ancient weapons, chariots, bronze vessels, palace tiles, and pottery—many pieces never before seen outside China. WA Museum Boola Bardip Director of Museums and Exhibitions Jason Fair noted, “With nearly half of these priceless artefacts departing China for the first time, the exhibition offers a rare window into Emperor Qin’s era, inviting visitors to explore China’s rich cultural heritage.”
Following its Perth showcase, Cathay Cargo will oversee the artefacts’ secure return to Xi’an in 2026.
For more information about Cathay Cargo’s specialist solutions, please visit www.cathaycargo.com.
For more information on the exhibition, please visit the WA Museum Boola Bardip’s website, visit.museum.wa.gov.au.
Media contact:
press@cathaypacific.com
SOURCE: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
