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The political entity that is above the organization currently holding it has shown zero respect for any law or tradition and could conceivably seize it and give them an IOU in US currency. I’m not saying it would go on container ship but it would probably fit in a few standard containers.

27 tonnes of gold fits in a single container. You're talking about like 1 or 2 cubic meters of gold (for comparison, a standard 2TEU container is like 50+ cubic meters). And that'll fit as a partial payload in a single military transport aircraft. The actual flying of the gold isn't super interesting (not like there's roving piracy in the air), but the logistics of how it would securely get from NYC to airport etc is kinda cool.

It’s what happens when other countries no longer trust you to keep your word.

Besides, I imagine they move it, then they say they’ll move it.

From the article it sounds like they moved 27 tonnes, not 86. (Most gold "moves" are just selling in one location and buying in the new, and eating the spread. Eventually I guess there's math showing the spread is large enough it's worth moving)

But yes, would be a cool read on the logistics.