UPS Launches New Preferred LCL Ocean Freight Service

UPS today launched a new ocean freight service that provides up to 20 percent faster door-to-door delivery than other less-than-container-load (LCL) services on the market.

UPS's Preferred LCL Ocean Freight service combines the strength of UPS's North American ground network with containerized ocean services to provide Container Freight Station (CFS) to door delivery from Japan to the United States in as little as 11-to-18 days, depending upon the destination. After arriving at a West coast port, preferred LCL ocean shipments will move to a trucking network operated by UPS to support air freight, ensuring faster transit and day-definite delivery to more U.S. destination points than competing services. In the case of East coast destinations in the U.S., the preferred service will cut 5-to-6 days of transit time off the current standard service.

In addition to speed, UPS's Preferred LCL Ocean Freight service gives businesses full shipment visibility via UPS's cutting-edge technology solutions such as Quantum View Manage or Flex Global View. UPS uses advanced handheld scanners and information management systems to capture and transmit pick-up and delivery information not typically available for ocean shipments.

"Greater visibility and faster transit times in ocean freight drive increased global commerce opportunities for companies in numerous industries that want to capture the economies of ocean freight without sacrificing speed and service," said Jimmy Crabbe, vice president of ocean freight services at UPS. "With our Preferred LCL service, companies can bridge the speed and economy gap between air and ocean freight services."

With UPS's Preferred LCL service, customers in industries such as high-tech/electronics, healthcare, retailing and automotive can take advantage of the following benefits:

* Published CFS to door delivery transit times.
* Day-definite delivery commitments.
* Expedited inland transportation.
* Simplified per kilo pricing and invoicing.
* Dedicated operational and bi-lingual customer support.
* Advanced technology tools for maximum shipment visibility.

The new UPS service now is available between Japan and the U.S. and will be extended to include additional countries in Asia over the next six months.

As a global freight forwarder and one of the world's Top 10 Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs), UPS provides a complete portfolio of ocean freight services. In addition to Full Container Load (FCL), the company offers a standard LCL service that provides reliable fixed-day port departures and arrivals supported with visibility and tracking technology. UPS's Sea-Air Service combines the economies of ocean freight with the speed of air freight in major ports worldwide while Trade Direct Ocean is a full-service, door-to-door option for delivering goods directly to customer locations to speed delivery times. With service in all major ports worldwide and facilities in more than 140 countries, UPS offers customers the frequency, capacity and flexibility to meet their shipping needs.

In addition to its full suite of ocean freight offerings, UPS provides comprehensive air and ground freight services as well as UPS Express Critical for global, time-critical freight services. For all of its freight services, UPS's advanced technologies give customers unparalleled visibility of their shipments. To learn more about UPS's ocean freight offerings, visit ups.com/globalfreight.