DHL HAS introduced a weekly less than container load (LCL) service from Hong Kong to Guatemala, reducing transit time between the two destinations to within 27 days.

The new line comes in response to growing trade volumes between Asia and Central and South America, which according to the World Trade organisation's 2009 International Trade Statistics Report, amounted to US$127.3 billion in value over 2008.

Commenting on the decision to introduce the LCL service, DHL Global Forwarding chief Kelvin Leung noted that there were "a number of trends affecting the freight forwarding industry - globalisation of the supply chain, shortening of product life cycles and low inventory. In the face of these trends, our customers are looking for the most cost effective yet reliable freight forwarding solution for their needs."

The link from Hong Kong to Guatemala serves as a natural addition to the company's existing LCL network, which also includes a service between Hong Kong and Paranagua, Brazil, launched late last year. With close to 2,000,000 cubic metres of freight handled annually, DHL claims to be the world's largest in the LCL category. 

Source: www.schednet.com