United Parcel Service (UPS) expanded its direct less-than-container-load (LCL) network by more than 300 lanes in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America during 2012.
This brings the total number of UPS’ LCL ocean lanes today to more than 1,700 serving 116 countries, even as the U.S.-based package delivery service announced that more lanes will open this year targeting emerging markets.
Asia saw the biggest number of freight lanes launched, with 139 outbound routes added, including 68 from China, to connect the region to retailers and industrial suppliers in Europe and North America.
UPS, the world’s biggest parcel delivery firm, also added direct LCL service from countries with lower labor costs such as Vietnam, where it inaugurated 10 outbound direct LCL lanes to the U.S., Europe, and intra-Asia in 2012.
There were also 12 new inbound and outbound lanes added to Busan, South Korea, to meet demand stemming from the Free Trade Agreement signed between the U.S. and South Korea in March 2012.
The European region experienced the second largest increase in outbound lanes, with UPS adding 81 direct LCL lanes from the area.
“Companies in the European Union are looking to high-growth emerging markets for expansion,” said Andy Huckbody, vice president of UPS Ocean Freight Services.
He added: “The global economic landscape is constantly changing and we plan to add more direct LCL lanes throughout 2013 to address these evolving market needs.”
Photo: US Department of Labor
