DHL launches Europe-Middle East road freight service

(28.01.2009) - DHL Freight, the overland transport business of German global logistics group Deutsche Post World Net, yesterday (January 20) announced the launch of a regular road freight service between Europe and the Middle East. "For shipments to and from the fast-growing Middle East region, DHL customers can now choose the most suitable mode of transport depending on the time/cost restraints associated with each individual shipment," stated the company. It further claimed that road transportation within DHL Freight's network meant lower costs and easier processes than air freight, and shorter transit times compared to ocean freight. "BvDP"



Thomas George, CEO DHL Freight, continued: "With this new choice, it is really worthwhile for our European customers with clients in the Middle East region to take another look at their shipment structure."

DHL explained that in the Middle East, it operated 16 major distribution centres, numerous local terminals "and the most up-to-date truck fleet in the region". To guarantee short transit times, all European shipments were consolidated in 13 major gateways and forwarded to a transit centre in Istanbul, Turkey.

From there, the cargo was fed into the Middle East network. Each shipment was assigned a unique code and could be tracked online. In addition, DHL took care of all administrative work, such as customs clearance, letters of credit and all risk-insurance services.

Middle East markets covered by the new service include key centres in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Yemen.