DHL improve LCL Tokyo/Yokohama-Chicago service

DHL will enhance its Less than Container Load (LCL) services with the launch of direct LCL services connecting Tokyo and Yokohama to Chicago.

DHL will enhance its Less than Container Load (LCL) services with the launch of direct LCL services connecting Tokyo and Yokohama to Chicago.

The introduction of these weekly guaranteed services reduces transit times by at least 3 days compared to current services, while enhancing security and increasing both business efficiency and competitiveness.

LCL freight bound for Chicago from Tokyo and Yokohama is usually shipped by sea to Los Angeles where it will be unloaded from its consolidation container. In Los Angeles, it will be combined with other freight that has reached the US west coast seaport for its onward journey to Chicago. DHL’s new direct consolidation service from Tokyo and Yokohama bypasses the re-handling in Los Angeles and the consolidation containers are instead transferred directly to the railway station, thereby reducing transit time by at least 3 days. The elimination of re-handling in Los Angeles also reduces the risk of damage, loss and other contingencies, resulting in enhanced security for our customers’ shipments.

Commenting on this service enhancement, Charles Kaufmann, representative director/president of DHL Global Forwarding Japan said: “DHL’s ongoing quest for better services in our continuous commitment to be the customers’ first choice led to this achievement of shorter transit times. DHL will continue to deliver fast, cost-efficient and reliable services to customers in Japan, and further strengthen its Ocean Freight business and market leading position when it comes to LCL services.”

These new services join DHL Global Forwarding’s portfolio of direct LCL services in Japan. In Tokyo, export customers can enjoy direct LCL services to over 10 cities, including Antwerp, Belgium; Barcelona, Spain; Shanghai, China; and Hong Kong. Direct LCL services are also available in Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.

Clas Thorell, head of LCL, Asia Pacific, said: “DHL has the world’s largest LCL network and the new direct service from Tokyo and Yokohama to Chicago signals our commitment to continually expand our own operated, weekly guaranteed LCL services globally. As Ocean Freight remains a viable transport option, the new service not only offers customers with greater efficiencies and reliability but also further bolster our service offerings as we strengthen our market leading position in in-house LCL services.”