DHL launches first direct China – Pakistan LCL service

DHL has launched a direct LCL service from Shanghai to Karachi, making it the first direct LCL service to connect China and Pakistan.

Operated by DHL Global Forwarding’s in-house carrier, Danmar Lines, the new direct weekly LCL service reduces transit time by seven days to eighteen days, and reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 7%.

China and Pakistan signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in November 2006, which projected to triple bilateral trade to US$15 billion by 2015. In 2010, the trade volume between China and Pakistan had already doubled from 2005 levels, and exceeded US$8.6 billion, up 27.7% from 2009.

Located between China, India and the Middle East, Pakistan is in one of the world’s fastest growing regions and is an important trade route.

According to Steve Huang, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, China, this new direct LCL service not only enables the company to provide more options for businesses in China to deliver their products via DHL’s global network, it will also help to further enhance the competitiveness of Shanghai in the international shipping market.