Shipco offers air consolidation to Chile

   Non-vessel-operating common carrier Shipco Transport is expanding its presence in South America by offering an air freight consolidation service to Chile.
   “Rapid growth in the Chilean air freight market has resulted in a large consumer demand,”  said Carlos Aybar, Shipco’s general manager for the Chile office. “With increasing opportunity in the market, the addition of an air freight solution is a natural progression to meet our customers’ requirements and to better serve them.” 
   The new operation will initially focus on handling inbound air freight, mainly from United States and the Far East.
   “We have the advantage of a significant existing presence in those regions,” Aybar said. “Additionally, we can offer our unique Shipco hybrid SeaAir service to our customers.”
   SeaAir into Chile is comprised of shipments sent by ocean from the Pacific Rim to the United States then flown to Santiago.
   “In general, the customer will save 50 percent compared to conventional air freight and a 50 percent reduction in transit time compared to traditional ocean freight,” Aybar said.
   “Chile is a consignee controlled market, similar to Australia and South Africa; two markets which we are very strong in,” said Kim Ekstroem, Senior Vice-President and global head for the air freight product. “The market is experiencing space constraints, where Shipco is able to secure space with our buying power and space commitments. Additionally, we believe there will be a foreseeable demand for exports in the future and Shipco is well prepared to take that on as well.”
   Marco Bahamondez will head Shipco’s Chile air freight operation.