Cathay Cargo Safely Delivers Over 200 Priceless Artefacts for Landmark Exhibition in Australia

Cathay Cargo Transports Terracotta Warriors and Artefacts for Exhibition in Australia

Cathay Cargo recently transported 10 terracotta warrior statues and more than 200 artefacts from Xi’an to Perth, via Hong Kong, for the exhibition Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor. The exhibition is organised by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, with support from the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, and the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip.

The shipment highlights Cathay Cargo’s capabilities in handling sensitive and high-value cultural cargo. Using its Cathay Expert and Cathay Secure services, the team developed a tailored transportation plan in collaboration with shipment custodians and logistics partners. The plan addressed specific packaging needs, and the items were carefully secured using safety nets and straps to minimise movement during transit.

Cathay Cargo managed the cargo from the start of the journey in Xi’an, overseeing inventory checks and packaging. The cargo was tracked using GPS from Xi’an to Zhengzhou, then flown to Hong Kong and onward to Perth. Throughout, the shipment was closely monitored and handled by trained staff.

Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay, said:

“It is a privilege to support this exhibition by transporting these historic pieces. Our teams worked closely with partners and authorities across the journey to ensure the artefacts were handled with care at every stage.”

WA Museum Boola Bardip Director, Museums and Exhibitions, Jason Fair, noted:

“This exhibition features items never before seen in Australia, with many leaving China for the first time. It’s an opportunity for visitors to explore an important part of Chinese history and culture.”

Cathay is also a sponsor of the exhibition, which runs at the WA Museum Boola Bardip until 22 February 2026. On display are the terracotta warriors along with weapons, armour, sculptures, bronze vessels, palace tiles, and pottery. Cathay Cargo will return the artefacts to Xi’an after the exhibition concludes.