DHL China-Europe system moves temp-sensitive cargo

DHL Global Forwarding, provider of air, sea, and road freight services in Europe and Asia, has seen increased take-up for its temperature-controlled rail system along China’s West Corridor from Chengdu to Europe.
With temperatures at an average of –20° C (–4° F) during winter, DHL Global Forwarding offers, apart from normally equipped containers for general cargo, a temperature-controlled solution for temperature-sensitive goods moving by rail from China to Europe, so its cargo rail schedules run normally. Using individually powered DHL containers, the temperature of goods can be maintained, tracked, and modified where necessary.
Using the fastest rail connection between China and Europe, DHL’s temperature-controlled rail solution runs weekly along China’s West Corridor from Chengdu, China to DHL’s intermodal hub in Małaszewicze and Lodz, Poland. Chengdu is one of the most important distribution centers in western China given its role as a hub for the electronics, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries.
Customers using DHL’s multimodal door-to-door solution enjoy services that are cheaper than air freight, yet faster than ocean freight with delivery time reduced to half. This system is well-positioned to not only meet seasonal peak demands but also growing demands of customers who look for reliable, cost-effective alternatives in shipping.
Kelvin Leung, chief executive officer of DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, said, “We are seeing an increase in demand across all modes of transport ahead of the year-end holiday season; in particular, the temperature-controlled transportation option is especially useful for temperature-sensitive goods, such as certain electronics and high-tech products. This multimodal service also offers a seamless solution connecting China’s manufacturers to retailers in Europe in a smooth and timely manner, ensuring that holiday merchandise arrive in time at retail stores.
“We launched this precise climate control rail solution earlier in the year after rigorous trials and tests,” he said. “Customer interest in this innovative service has been robust. During the winter season where average temperatures can dip to –20° C and more along the rail route, customers can pre-define the temperatures for their shipments in the exact range of –25° to 25° C (–13° to 77° F). Our customers with temperature-sensitive cargo can now be assured their goods are in good hands, even during severe winters.”
In the winter season where sub-zero temperatures are prevalent along China’s West Corridor through Kazakhstan to Europe, DHL’s temperature-controlled rail solution ensures temperature-sensitive goods are transported in optimal conditions regardless of the ambient freezing temperature. DHL’s temperature-controlled containers are individually powered and offer customers the flexibility of controlling, tracking, and modifying temperatures remotely through an advanced track and trace system that also allows customers to be aware of their shipment’s precise location.