Memphis, TN November 22, 2002 FedEx Freight, in cooperation with FedEx Trade Networks, will now offer less-than-container-load (LCL) service to and from Europe, via FedEx Trade Networks Ocean Transport Service.
FedEx Freight, a provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) service in the United States, and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs clearance, international freight forwarding and trade facilitation solutions, are both subsidiaries of FedEx Corp. In addition, Koninklijke Frans Maas Groep N. V. (Frans Maas), a provider of international freight forwarding and logistics services, supports the service.
According to FedEx, the Ocean Transport Service is door-to-door or door-to-port with one invoice and a single source of accountability for shipment control. The U.S. inland ground service is to be provided by FedEx Freight. FedEx Trade Networks will then handle the ocean portion of the move, acting as Federal Maritime Commission Licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI), formerly known as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC). Finally, Frans Maas will handle the European ocean coordination and ground transportation.
With the service, customers can call a toll free number for rate quotes, tracking, proof of delivery and assistance with documentation. "Rapid transit is one of the key differentiators of this service. FedEx Freight specializes in next-day and second-day delivery in the U. S. FedEx Trade Networks utilizes multiple sailing schedules to get the freight moving as quickly as possible to or from Europe. And, Frans Maas provides coverage at ocean ports and has service locations throughout Western and Eastern Europe. It is a seamless, convenient service," said Ed Alderman, FedEx Freight director of international development.
FedEx Freight's European service will be implemented on a phased-in approach, beginning with the Atlanta service area. States served through Atlanta include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Service in the Midwest is scheduled to begin in mid-December. Service in the Northeast and Southwest is set to start in mid-February. The service will be expanded to locations in the West in mid-March.
"This service offers a unique value to the marketplace. Customers no longer have to call multiple providers to handle a single shipment to Europe. Their needs are met by a single FedEx source," said Dennie Carey, senior vice president of marketing for FedEx Freight. "We have leveraged our relationship with our sister company, FedEx Trade Networks, to meet the increasingly global needs of our customers."
