OceanGuaranteed, a joint service from APL Logistics and Con-way Freight, is designed to provide secure, rapid delivery of less-than-container load shipments from China to the U.S.
The partners say OceanGuaranteed is an industry first that meets customer demand for a premium ocean LCL/domestic LTL service that offers faster transit times and day-definite delivery that is more cost-effective than airfreight.
The program will provide "port-to-door" guaranteed service from Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen in China, to all continental U.S. destinations served by Con-way Freight. OceanGuaranteed will use Los Angeles as the U.S. port-of-call for customs clearance and deconsolidation.
Shipments that fail to meet the delivery-day commitment receive a 20 percent discount, subject to the terms of the service guarantee.
"We have created an entirely new service category for our customers that responds to their demands for a premium, day-definite ocean service with transit times and delivery reliability that far exceeds traditional LCL products," says Brian Lutt, APL Logistics president. "By combining two of the most reliable transportation service organizations in the world, we are also able to deliver top-class performance in a package that represents a great value alternative to international airfreight."
David McClimon, president of Con-way Freight, says most of his customers today are trading with China in some manner. "They are managing longer supply chains and more import volumes, yet they still remain under pressure to accelerate product through their domestic distribution networks as rapidly and cost efficiently as possible. Combining our network with APL Logistics creates a new service that directly addresses this critical requirement."
Shipment pricing will be calculated on a per kilo rate, based on delivery from the origin ports in China, to 11 delivery zones in the U.S. OceanGuaranteed shipments also will receive expedited handling, including late-gate privileges at origin, "last on, first off" loading/unloading, and priority shipboard stowage for rapid discharge at the destination port.
Visit www.apllogistics.com and www.con-way.com.