Vanguard opens Malaysian office, bonded N.J. CFS

Vanguard opens Malaysian office, bonded N.J. CFS    Vanguard Logistics Services, a neutral non-vessel-operating common carrier, has increased its presence in Asia with the opening of a new office in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
   VLS Johor Bahru augments Vanguard's regional trade lanes to and from high-traffic ports including Singapore and Hong Kong, the company said in a statement Thursday.
   Located in the same metropolitan area as the port of Pasir Gudang, the Johor Bahru branch will initially be staffed by 14 people, of which 11 are already on board, with the potential for up to 25 staff by 2011.
   VLS Johor Bahru will initiate a number of trade lanes aimed at linking the local freight forwarding industry into Vanguard's large global network. The first set of services include a three-times-per-week direct sailing from Pasir Gudang-Johor Bahru to Singapore where freight can continue on to the 70-plus direct service destinations Singapore will offer this year.
   Twice weekly services into Hong Kong will allow freight to connect through to Hong Kong's many direct port pairs in Latin America. In addition, Pasir Gudang-Johor Bahru offers weekly sailings to Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai, Vanguard said.
   John Ho has been appointed general manager of the Johor Bahru operation.
   Vanguard also said its New Jersey container freight station has become a customs bonded facility, offering 46,000 square feet under bond at this location.
   The bond allows customers to bring their cargo into the United States without paying duties until the cargo leaves the facility. Cargo can move into the United States in full container quantities and only pay duties on what is drawn out in smaller consignments.
   With the ability to keep freight under customs bond for up to five years at this location, customers can gain the benefits of ordering in bulk and paying duties only on what they use downstream.
   'There are large cash-flow benefits to this process for importers because they have control of their money until the merchandise is withdrawn from the warehouse,' said Robert Sutton, vice president of commercial development for Vanguard.
   If no domestic buyer is found for the imported merchandise, the importer can sell it for exportation and eliminate the need for duty. 'Our freight forwarders and broker customers will be able to bring this benefit to their clients,' Sutton said.