Flexible and secure relocation of a German diplomat from Ashgabat to Bonn in geopolitically challenging times

In 2024, a German diplomat planned his relocation from Ashgabat to Bonn. Due to the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia, the previously used transport route through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland was no longer safe.

The main challenge was to find a secure transport route to protect the diplomat’s belongings from confiscation while accounting for an extended transport duration of approximately 10 days. Additionally, a short-term and secure storage solution was required until the diplomat could find a new residence.

IPA developed a flexible and proactive moving plan with a new, secure route. The route involved transporting the belongings by truck to the Caspian Sea, then by ferry to Azerbaijan, followed by truck transport to Georgia, and via the Black Sea to Romania. From there, the route continued through Hungary and Austria to Berlin, where the diplomat’s belongings were stored temporarily before being transported to Bonn. Security measures included a sealed truck, plumbed containers, GPS tracking, and regular reporting.

The move was completed on time and without incidents. The diplomat’s belongings remained intact and secure throughout the entire transport. The short-term storage solution in Berlin allowed the diplomat to settle in Bonn stress-free.