New LCL service links HK-Guatemala

DHL today launched a new direct LCL (less than container load) weekly service from Hong Kong to Guatemala in Central America.

The move will enhance connectivity and trade from Hong Kong’s strategic port to one of the busiest ports of Central America, as well as the trade flows between Asia Pacific and Central and South America.

Kelvin Leung, chief executive offer at DHL Global Forwarding, North Asia Pacific, said the link from Hong Kong to Guatemala enhanced DHL’s existing robust LCL global portfolio and service network.

“A number of prominent trends are affecting the freight forwarding industry – globalisation of the supply chain, shortening of product lifecycles and low inventory,” he said.

“In the face of these trends, our customers are sourcing for the most cost effective yet reliable freight forwarding solution for their own customers’ needs.”

DHL currently offers the industry’s widest coverage with more than 700 weekly point pairs from 24 North Pacific terminals sailing to 30 destinations in Central America.

The newly added LCL service underscores DHL’s move to respond to growing trade volumes from Asia Pacific as well as Hong Kong to Guatemala.

According to the International Trade Statistics Report 2009 issued by the World Trade Organization, trade from Asia to Central and South America in 2008 amounted to US$127.3 billion, 2.9 percent of total trade flows in the region’s total merchandise exports2.

Currently, Central and South America account for 1.4 percent of Hong Kong’s exports of services, and may rise as trade between both regions continues to grow.

Edward Hui, managing director of DHL Global Forwarding, Hong Kong, Macau and South China, said by establishing an additional route to Central America, DHL was offering customers in Hong Kong and South China access to an important emerging market.

The new service enhances efficiency by reducing transit time to within 27 days from Hong Kong to Guatemala. The launch of the route is an addition to DHL’s existing direct LCL services from Hong Kong to Central and South America – Hong Kong to Paranagua, Brazil launched late last year.

Clas Thorell, head of LCL management Asia Pacific for DHL Global Forwarding, said LCL offerings were built on the concept of a global footprint.

DHL currently operates the world’s largest LCL network with close to two million cubic metres of LCL freight handled annually.

(Source: www.schednet.com)