DHL LAUNCHES NEW DIRECT LCL SERVICES FROM THAILAND TO USA, GERMANY AND JAPAN

Direct Services Enhance Speed and Benefits Thai Businesses Trading With Key International Markets

Bangkok, 8 July 2009 – DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, announced the launch of its guaranteed weekly direct Less than Container Load (LCL) services connecting Bangkok to Los Angeles, USA; Hamburg, Germany and Tokyo, Japan. Through Danmar Lines, DHL’s in-house carrier, the new weekly direct LCL services enables shipments to arrive up to a week earlier.

The launch of the new service taps into the key trade lanes for businesses in Thailand. United States of America (USA) is Thailand’s largest export market, with revenue for 2008 totaling over US$20.2 billion; followed closely by Japan, which generated US$20 billion; while Germany generated US$3.2 billion in export revenue[1]. In 2008, computers with accessories and parts were the top exports to USA and Germany from Thailand, while the top exports to Japan were electronic integrated circuits, followed by computers and accessories[2].

LCL services refer to smaller amounts of ocean freight cargo that are insufficient to fill a Full Container Load (FCL). The service is widely used by customers across many industries as it offers the flexibility of shipping smaller quantities in a timely manner.

Amadou Diallo, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding, South Asia Pacific, said, “In the current economic climate, LCL services are in demand among customers seeking ways to ensure greater cost efficiencies for their shipping needs. DHL operates the world’s largest LCL network with more than 2,000,000 cubic meters of LCL freight handled annually via 45,000 point-pairs. The introduction of these new direct services underlines our efforts to reduce transit times for customers. With over 20 origin terminals in South Asia Pacific, we offer our customers complete coverage for their freighting needs.”

Thomas Tieber, Managing Director, Thailand and CEO, South Asia, DHL Global Forwarding, said, “With the new direct services, Thai customers will benefit from our reliable and shorter transit times, and a seamless door-to-door service complete with full track and trace capabilities. As volume to USA, Germany and Japan remains high, these new direct LCL services also reaffirm our confidence in Thailand’s export economy and the continued demand for our LCL services.”

Clas Thorell, Head of LCL Management Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding, said, “The introduction of this weekly service is part of DHL’s continuing plans to expand our own operated, weekly guaranteed, LCL services globally. It also underscores our ‘Customers Needs First’ approach as we continue to enhance our strong in-house LCL network, built upon national and multinational gateways, focusing on optimal cargo flows for greater operational efficiency. Our expertise and capabilities in LCL have further strengthened our leading position in the region and globally.”

As a global leader in LCL, DHL carries more than 97% of its total volumes in house. The in-house systems and strong global network enables the control of cargo flow, information flow, speed, accuracy, cost efficiency and reliability.

DHL’s launch of new direct services in Thailand is part of its on-going enhancements of LCL service capabilities. Since the start of this year, DHL has launched ten other direct LCL services from China, Japan and India to meet increasing demand for the services. DHL’s newly launched routes this year include:
· Chennai, India to Felixstowe, UK
· Shenzhen, China to Hamburg, Germany; Genoa, Italy; Southampton, United Kingdom; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Antwerp, Belgium; Le Havre, France and Vancouver, Canada
· Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan to Chicago, United States of America


DHL – The Logistics company for the world
DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and 310,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 54 billion euros in 2008.


[1] Department of Export Promotion, 2008
[2] Thailand’s Exports summary 2008 by Department of Export Promotion