IcefatIcefat
  • ABOUT US
  • MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
  • SERVICES
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • MEMBER
    SIGN-IN
Search
iceartworld2025-04-30T07:47:30+00:00
  • 25.04.23

Global and Local Transportation

  • Company News
ICEFAT Member Armstrong Fine Art Services
When an Andy Warhol lithograph of a Campbell’s soup can worth $65,000 was swiped from the trunk of a curator’s unlocked Porsche Macan, he must have rued the day he chose not to use a professional art logistics company. The victim learnt a hard lesson; works of art cannot be left unsecured or unattended in transit at any point. It took the thief a matter of seconds to get away with an iconic work of art, which allegedly was just covered in a piece of cardboard in the trunk of the vehicle.
This example demonstrates the important role of art transportation operations and how quickly and easily things can go wrong. ICEFAT’s Standards address this in detail, setting out the ways in which our members should demonstrate risk assessments and inventory management. In an earlier blog post, we explored the security requirements of transportation vehicles. Crucially, ICEFAT’s Standards require that a minimum of two crew members are on board a vehicle whenever objects are in transit, ensuring that the consignments are never left unattended.

ICEFAT Member Beweship

Professional packing and crating are fundamental to any art logistics supplier, ensuring that the latest materials are being used and that staff are trained to confidently choose those which are most appropriate to the consignment. Where works of art are being transported in cargo boxes, it is not always practical nor possible to ensure 24/7 monitoring of the cargo. In this instance, ICEFAT requires members to build cargo boxes of a rigid construction secured with a high security lock. 

Shipping internationally or domestically requires our members to follow robust chain of custody procedures. This is where the value of ICEFAT membership comes to the fore. Our international community of members provides a direct business opportunity for collaboration, supplying a global service with unsurpassed local knowledge. Transporting objects of high value – be it financial or historical – comes with a level of risk, which is why these Standards provide assurance to collectors and institutions around the world who understand that compromising on price and quality ultimately jeopardizes our cultural heritage. All ICEFAT members are audited for Standards by EY (formerly Ernst & Young), a third-party auditor.

BACK TO ALL ARTICLES

Related Posts

The Impossible Became Possible: Saving the Treasures of Notre Dame

Our global community of art shippers were united in shock and sadness at the awful events of the Notre... read more

How we’re helping during the coronavirus lockdown

The global shutdown caused by the coronavirus has meant much of the work of our agents has come to... read more

ICEFAT gives back

As well as offering highly reliable, efficient services and running commercially successful businesses, ICEFAT members are involved in myriad... read more

Chairman’s Brief

Happy New Year to all with great hope for a positive 2018. ICEFAT is currently reviewing applications from potential... read more

Moving a Masterpiece to Milan!

Moving a Masterpiece to Milan! Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Universally recognised – renowned masterpiece – countlessly reproduced – it’s the... read more

Middle East Spotlight

Our international membership of 78 of the top fine art shippers across the globe provides a local presence for... read more

How ICEFAT Has Set the Standards for Safety, Security and Staffing

ICEFAT Member: Crown Fine ArtBack in 2017, art world eyebrows were raised when a thief absconded with $12 million... read more

ICEFAT TALKS BREXIT

ICEFAT TALKS BREXIT

In the UK, no meeting can be had, no bus journey taken and sandwich eaten without hearing,... read more

Dublin’s Dead Zoo Decant – Part 1

Inside the National Museum of Ireland – Natural HistoryThey say what goes up must come down, and museum displays... read more

OUR LADY REBORN: Evacuating and Storing the Treasures of Notre-Dame

The fire that tore through Notre-Dame de Paris in April 2019 gripped the attention of millions worldwide – an... read more
EXPERIENCED. TRUSTED. ACCOUNTABLE.

SIGN-UP AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE ICEFAT NEWSLETTER

Facebook Linkedin Instagram
© 2025 ICEFAT. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Geneva, Switzerland
  • ABOUT US
  • MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
  • SERVICES
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US