DHL Global Forwarding is set to start a new weekly block train service from Suzhou, China, to DHL’s intermodal hub in Poland, effectively linking China to Europe.
The new service, which expands its multimodal rail service, gives an average travel time of two weeks to Warsaw from Suzhou through accessing DHL’s Europe network via Manzhouli in China, Zabaikalsk in Russia and DHL’s intermodal hub in Malaszewicze.
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Compared with the ocean freight time, the rail service takes only half the time and a sixth of the charge of airfreight.
DHL Global Forwarding freight CEO Roger Crook said: "Geographically, we are expanding our coverage in China. The Trans-Siberian North Corridor service taps the bustling production and commercial centres of Shanghai, Suzhou and its surrounding areas.
"The West Corridor rail service originates from Chengdu, one of the most important distribution centres in Western China and a hub for high-tech goods, automotive and other industries."
DHL currently offers a daily wagon service from Shanghai to Europe along the North Corridor, as well as a weekly block train service from Chengdu to Europe along China’s West Corridor rail line via Kazakhstan.
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By GlobalDataMeanwhile, DHL has also introduced the rail service in a less-than-container-load (LCL) option to help multinational companies and small businesses to manage their inventory flows by sending out shipments in smaller consignments.
DHL also plans to start ferry services between China, Japan and Korea to move cargo shipments onto the China rail network and develop a north Asian multimodal network.
Image: An infographic showing DHL’s new rail routes. Photo: courtesy of DHL.
