A NETWORK of third-party non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCC), Vanguard Logistics Services, has expanded into India with its agreement with Delhi-based Freight Systems of India.

With this initiative, Vanguard will be in 16 cities in India to offer customers over 30 direct export services, as well as onforwarding from the key origin points of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Tuticorin and Cochin. Freight Systems will rebrand its export NVOCC services to Vanguard.

This new structure will oversee over 45 direct weekly and multiple weekly import services offered in the company's global network to all major ports in India.

"There are many benefits to our customers by establishing this commercial and operational structure in India, such as better control of our services and management of our pricing," said global Vanguard chairman and CEO Charles Brennan.

Its expansion into India is based on an arrangement that utilises the infrastructure of Freight Systems. The new regional management team for the Indian subcontinent will manage the commercial and operational aspects of its business, but it will make use of the operational structure of Freight Systems to facilitate the transactions.

Said Freight Systems founding CEO David Phillips: "Transparency and trust have been the foundations of the relationship between our companies. Vanguard will now have its flag flying in India, something that I have been advocating for a long time."