Swiss forwarding giant Kuehne + Nagel is to expand its European overland network and introduce its "KN Euro-Line" product to 200 more scheduled international lines with departures doubling to 2,000 per week.

KN-Euro-Line has structured tariffs and timetables for its network between 39 countries and 300 international connections via a central hub in Haiger, Germany and seven regional hubs.

"We will add one new international direct connection each week during the next four years, with the objective to offer 500 scheduled connections throughout Europe by 2014," said Dirk Reich, management board member of Kuehne + Nagel International AG in a company statement.

This will be in addition to its current direct lines between Poznan and Strasbourg, Stuttgart and Milan, and Munich and Bologna.

A central network management located at the headquarters in Schindellegi, Switzerland, will be in charge of planning, control and supervision of the network activities to increase network efficiency.

The standard product "KN Euro-Line" will be complemented by the "KN Parcel" for smaller shipments of up to 32 kilograms. "KN Euro-Line Time-Definite" which guarantees on-time delivery within an agreed timeframe will also supplement it.

"KN Euro-Line Express" delivers in shorter transit times than the standard product and "KN Euro-Line Express12" guarantees delivery before 1200 hrs and shorter transit times.

"Our standardised offer is tailored to customer needs for reliable, clearly structured and innovative products," said Mr Reich. "From parcel to complete load - we're offering the full range of solutions from a single source."

Source: Shipping Gazette