LTL carrier ABF is expanding its freight hauling services with the addition of what it calls “Ocean LTL,” described as a single-contact, expedited less-than-container-load/less-than-truckload (LCL/LTL) supply chain offering for customers importing goods from manufacturing centers in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“Our new Ocean LTL service is a great compliment to our already successful FCL (full-container-load) business, which has been around since 2006,” said Roy Slagle, ABF senior vp-sales and marketing, in a statement, who noted that ABF maintains a non vessel operating common carrier (NVOCCA) status so it can link all these services together.
He added that Ocean LTL will feature guaranteed weekly departures on a fixed day and schedule, which enables ABF – the principal subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corp. – to expedite shipments up to 40% faster than traditional LCL sources.
Long-term planning is enhanced by advanced scheduling for consolidation and departures while, during transit, virtual warehousing and dynamic rerouting enable on-the-water inventory allocation and order fulfillment directly from the container to the end-user or multiple delivery locations, Slagle said.
The critical part, he emphasized, is that while Ocean LTL shipments may originate as LCL shipments overseas and be delivered as LTL shipments in the U.S., shippers need only be in touch with one customer service contact to assist with end-to-end documentation services, single-source pricing and invoicing.
“ABF handles everything,” he pointed out. “We're a synchronized local, regional and transcontinental motor carrier, a non-vessel operating common carrier, and a global logistics service provider – all linked together by technology.”
