DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) reports strong global demand for its ‘Business Continuity Solutions’ offering which provides a range of storage options aimed at helping customers avoid unnecessary costs and delays in transit and at destination.

“Many of our customers are requesting or using these custom-tailored solutions to make their business recovery-ready,” Dominique von Orelli, DGF's head of Global Ocean Freight, told Lloyd's Loading List.

“Having their shipments stored in one of our secured global container hubs or dedicated warehouses not only avoids delays in transit but also reduces the space pressure on the factory warehouses for instance.”

“In addition, the goods are ready to ship, and customers can release them for delivery, whenever they are needed.”

As reported in Lloyd’s Loading List, ocean freight container imports from China heading for Europe and elsewhere face storage difficulties on arrival at destination ports in the hinterland due to COVID-19-related lockdowns which have put a squeeze on space.

According to von Orelli, DHL’s solutions offer customers full cost transparency and control. “This makes it for shippers and consignees much more convenient compared to 'a delay of transit option' offered by some shipping lines,” he added.

“We are even offering value added storage services such as carton relabelling, kitting and re-packing or pick-to-demand and labelling. This ensures a smooth and resilient restarting or ramping up of our customers’ businesses. Once the customer is able to receive the shipment we are able to deliver fast.”

Asked which ports in Europe and beyond were currently struggling with congestion and bottlenecks due to a lack of storage solutions, von Orelli replied:

“In some places, we may observe temporary congestion. However, we do not expect that this will be the case on a broader scale. Currently, the volumes shipped via ocean freight are on a lower level (than normal).”

He added: “Ports should therefore be able to manage the throughput, even if not all importers are able to receive their goods. But this can of course change quickly, when the current situation stabilizes further and factories as well as supply chains ramp up again. But I re-iterate, thanks to our DHL Business Continuity Solutions we are able to avoid congestion-related delays and additional costs for our customers.”

Source: lloydsloadinglist