DHL has launched direct less-than-containerload (LCL) services from Shanghai, China to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile. The new weekly services are operated by Danmar Lines, the in-house carrier of DHL Global Forwarding. Shipments will arrive in Buenos Aires and Valparaiso within 28 and 30 days, respectively. Direct shipment from Shanghai, instead of routing through Hong Kong, results in transit-time savings of up to 15 days, DHL said. Buenos Aires and Valparaiso are the two major ports in South America. Both are key industrial and transportation hubs, offering easy access to other ports and inland cities on the continent. Shanghai and Valparaiso entered into a sister ports relationship in 2007. The new services will facilitate trading between Chinese and South American businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, DHL said. The company currently offers 19 direct LCL services between Asia and South America.
