HELLMANN EXPANDS ON TRANSPACIFIC ROUTE

HELLMANN EXPANDS ON TRANSPACIFIC ROUTE    Hellmann Worldwide Logistics said its transpacific air and ocean freight volumes are 15 percent ahead of projections since the forwarding group entered the trade last July.
   Hellmann created a transpacific division based in San Francisco last year, as a joint venture between Hellmann USA and Hellmann Hong Kong.
   “When you look at the transpacific region, most of these ships are coming full,” said Randy Schlaffer, Hellmann’s transpacific director. There is no overcapacity now, he said.
   With its own U.S. sales force, Hellmann relies on group-owned companies in the major Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Shanghai. Hellmann Shanghai was awarded a “class A” license by the Chinese authorities, which allows it to perform a wide range of forwarding activities. The company is also setting up an office in Cambodia.
   Schlaffer said Hellmann works directly with shippers, but co-loads with other forwarders for air freight out of Hong Kong.
   Hellmann considers the transpacific to be its “single-largest growth area,” he said.
   The forwarder said its transpacific division focuses on corporate clients in the high-tech, apparel, and footwear sectors, and it is seeking alliance partnerships in the logistics industry.
   “Right now, we are focusing on the inbound cargo,” Schlaffer said. “But we expect a significant increase of traffic in the opposite direction as China reduces or waives duties and tariffs now in place.”