Deutsche Post DHL’s air and sea freight division said the new services connect major sea ports in Japan directly to Chennai in southern India and New Delhi in northern India, without the need for reshipment.

Transit time could be cut between the two Asian countries by as much as six days compared to other ocean freight services, the company said.

DHL said the once-a-week “LCL Direct Box” services should also mean cheaper shipping, less chance of damage and cuts in carbon emissions for shipments of up to 3.25%.

From today (26 June) direct LCL services launch from Tokyo to New Delhi, offering a transit time of 26 days, along with a 28-day route from Nagoya to New Delhi, a 27-day route from Kobe to New Delhi, Tokyo to Chennai in 20 days and Kobe to Chennai in 21 days.

The services come with DHL Track & Trace and other visibility tools. Previously, DHL’s LCL services from Japan to India were routed via Hong Kong.

Mark Slade, the president and representative director of DHL Global Forwarding Japan, said his company was expecting growth in the Japan to India trade lane, suggesting the new LCL services would be of particular interest to customers in the automobile, electronics and high-tech sectors.

Asia Pacific

The new LCL services add Chennai and New Delhi to DHL’s LCL Direct Box service, which already connects to Los Angeles, Chicago, Hamburg, Milan, Shanghai, Busan and Bangkok.

The company said it is continuing improving its LCL services within the Asian region, last year expanding its northern Asia services in China, South Korea and Taiwan, and earlier this year launching a direct Japan to Bangkok service.

Rench Leow, vice president of ocean freight and head of LCL management at DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, said connecting key markets was an important part of his company’s strategy to become a preferred LCL carrier in the Asia Pacific region.

“India is one of the major economies in Asia and the country has an expanding effect on the world stage,” he said. “We’re very excited to offer customers to and from this huge market a wider opportunity to enjoy our state-of-the-art products and services.”

Source: Post&Parcel/DHL

Tags: DHL Global Forwarding, India, Japan