DHL launches multimodal service linking Japan to Europe

DHL Global Forwarding has announced the launch of a multimodal service linking Japan to its existing rail solution from China to Europe. The new link uses a combination of trucking, sea and rail solutions, offering customers in Japan access to DGF China's rail freight solution which reduces the delivery time to Europe by up to half compared to solely using ocean freight and reduces costs by up to 85% compared to air freight.

Kelvin Leung, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific said, "We have established a North Asian multimodal network which connects the North Asian power houses - China and Japan - directly to any destination in Europe.”

Businesses in Japan with goods to be transported to Europe can be picked up from anywhere across Japan by truck. Using 40 ft containers, cargo is then transported to any of four ports across Japan -- Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Hakata. Upon arrival at the ports, cargo is transported by sea across the East China Sea to Shanghai. This enables goods from j Japan to reach any part of China via DHL's multimodal sea-rail service. From China the goods can be transported to Europe via either of DHL's transcontinental rail corridors. From Europe, the multimodal service is also available via China rail and sea to Japan for the import shipment.