From Dubai to Baku: How Aggreko powered an iconic event

Delivering uninterrupted electricity to one of Azerbaijan’s major international events recently became a global logistical triumph for Aggreko and its logistics partner, Kuehne+Nagel. With the majority of power generation equipment located in the UAE and additional assets needed from across Europe and India, this massive assignment called for precision, speed, and creative problem-solving to overcome geopolitical and geographical hurdles.

Aggreko, a global leader in temporary power and energy solutions, was tasked with supplying over 2,200 tonnes of generators, spare parts, and support equipment. But the project faced a major obstacle: the ongoing Red Sea crisis. “If we relied on traditional sea logistics, the route would have taken us around the Cape of Good Hope, adding two weeks we simply did not have,” said Debbie Reid, Global Project Logistics Solutions Manager, based in Dubai.

Instead, the company deployed a tailored “Sea-Road” strategy. Equipment was first shipped from Jebel Ali Port in Dubai to Um Qasr Port in Iraq. From there, 107 trucks—some requiring crane assistance for heavy cargo—carried the load through Iraq with a dedicated security escort. Upon reaching the Türkiye border, the generators were reloaded onto Türkiye-registered trucks to comply with local road regulations before continuing through Georgia and into Azerbaijan.

Simultaneously, Aggreko arranged dispatches from Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and India. According to Haidy Hassan, Project Logistics Customer Excellence Team Leader in Dubai, “the European dispatches were smoother, but multiple border crossings required intense pre-planning, especially for customs documentation and permits.”

In total, 1,078 tonnes of cargo were delivered overland via 113 trucks from the UAE and Europe. Another 1,000 tonnes arrived by sea, while 150 tonnes of high-priority cargo were airlifted from India, Europe, and Dubai.

Despite the complexity, the operation succeeded without delays. “Seeing the site powered up with lights, air conditioning, and everything working seamlessly made every minute worth it,” Hassan added. “Visitors may never realise the immense coordination that powers the comfort they experience.”

As the event came to a close, Aggreko’s equipment was already being prepared for redeployment. The Kuehne+Nagel team has now shifted focus to demobilisation and new assignments, underscoring the constant demand for efficient, scalable logistics in the events sector.