SPECIALIST multimodal project logistics provider, ART Logistics, has launched a multimodal freight service connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand with Central Asia in which cargo is moved by sea from Jakarta, Port Kelang, Bangkok, Haiphong, Keelung and Singapore.
Shipments are then routed by rail through the China corridor, from Lianyungang port in north-eastern China to the Kazakhstan border crossings of Dostyk and then on to Almaty, the country's major commercial centre. The company also provides the same service from the border to other Central Asian countries including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.
"The route from China to Central Asia has been underused in the past as you need to have expertise in managing rail operations across Central Asia and ART Logistics has its own team of professionals who ensure all documentation is in order at China-Kazakhstan border. This ensures a seamless transit for all shipments," said Tatiana Serova, commercial director of ART Logistics.
ART Logistics engages experienced freight teams who all speak Chinese, Russian and Kazakh, to guarantee effective communications with customs officials. It manages the whole process door-to-door and uses its own private pool of containers, providing cost effective and flexible services to a wide range of cities across central Asia.
"Not every shipping line has container drop-off points in Central Asia, but ART Logistics has its own box fleet and an extensive network of drop-off locations within the region, as well as the on-the-ground transportation solutions," the commercial director said.
ART Logistics also utilises its own container fleet for Eastbound back loadings from Central Asia to China, in order to make the equipment turn-around more cost effectively. This also means that empty containers are available in the region for Southeast Asia-based shippers. Transit times from South East Asia to major trade centres such as Almaty in Kazakhstan are about 36 days if documentation is prepared before dispatch.
