Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Jan 25, 2012 8:13AM EST
Panalpina said its six new direct less-than-container-load services on intra-Asian routes are aimed at tapping growing demand from consumer, high-tech and telecom sectors.
The guaranteed weekly services, operated by the Swiss logistics group’s in-house carrier Pantainer Express Line, will all run out of Shanghai, connecting separately to Keelung, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta. The Bangkok and Singapore services were already operating but have been upgraded to two and three sailings respectively per week.
The new services present a reliable and cost effective option to air freight for small consignments or full container loads on intra-Asian routes, Panalpina said. With short lead times and improved frequencies shippers will benefit from ocean freight economies of scale regardless of the size of their orders.
Panalpina said the new services are part of its long-term strategy to grow business on key Asian trade lanes, especially on Far East westbound, trans-Pacific eastbound, intra-Asia, Asia-Latin America and Asia-Middle East routes.
“Intra-Asia plays a pivotal role in our global LCL network and in the group’s growth strategy,” said Frank Hercksen, global head of ocean freight at Panalpina.
-- Contact Bruce Barnard at brucebarnard47@hotmail.com.
