Damco, a global freight forwarder, announced that it has established
a new Intra-Asia hub in Singapore. The new less-than-container-load hub which has been in operation since the start of April 2008 aims to offer existing and new Damco customers with more competitive services, such as an increased number of sailing frequencies and locations served, as well as a reduction in transit times and more cost competitive offerings.
Jens Wessel, Head of Damco for Asia–Pacific said: “At Damco, we believe in being a partner that
is flexible, easy to do business with and who understands the local needs of our customers. The
decision to launch an Intra-Asia hub in Singapore was based on the growing demand for lessthan-
container-load services from our customers.
With the new service, frequency of sailings will increase on average from one per week, per
destination to two or three sailings per week, per destination for most destinations. There is also
likely to be up to seven times as many sailings destination choices as there was previously.”
The new Intra-Asia hub in Singapore offers services from 80 countries of origin worldwide, to
more than 288 destinations throughout Asia. The main origin countries are the US and Europe.
The less-than-container-load cargo is then collected at the hub in Singapore before being routed
to final destinations throughout the Intra-Asia region.
Anders Johansen, the Regional Ocean Freight Manager for Damco added: “Singapore offers key
advantages from a connectivity and productivity standpoint. With the number of vessel calls and
operators in Singapore, as well as its strategic location, Singapore offers multiple weekly sailings
to most Intra-Asia destinations – providing maximum flexibility and the lowest transit time for our
customers.”
With the tagline “Damco. Your personal forwarder”, and since its brand launch in July last year,
Damco has been differentiating itself as a personalised freight forwarder that provides customers with localised, and flexible services. Besides the new Intra-Asia hub that will give customers more
options, Damco most recently clinched the ‘Best Logistics Service Provider - Sea Freight’ award at
the 22nd Asia Freight Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) held in Singapore on 22 April 2008.
The AFSCA finalists and winners are often seen as the voice of Asia’s shippers, and winning the
‘Best Logistics Service Provider – Sea Freight’ award is a reflection of the customers’ vote of
confidence for Damco.
Damco is carrier-neutral and flexible, having access to a network of all major ocean carriers and
airlines, in addition to a host of local landside service providers such as trucking and customs
house brokers. Damco demonstrates flexibility by working with a broad range of global and local
service providers. It is able to offer the best of both worlds to customers, access to a global
network and yet personalised, localised service. It takes pride in providing customised packages
to meet specific customer requirements.