UPS has launched a Preferred LCL (less-than-containerload) Ocean Freight service from Japan to the U.S. The offering combines UPS's North American ground network with containerized ocean services, providing container freight station (CFS)-to-door delivery in as few as 11 to 18 days, depending on destination. Upon arrival at a West Coast port, preferred LCL shipments will be moved to a trucking network operated by UPS to support air freight. According to the company, the service will result in faster transit and day-definite delivery to more U.S. destination points than competing options. For shipments destined for the U.S. East Coast, the service promises to cut five to six days of transit time off current standard services. Customers get shipment visibility via UPS's own tracking technology, such as Quantum View Manage and Flex Global View. The product is aimed at customers in such industries as high-tech, electronics, healthcare, retailing and automotive. It is now available between Japan and the U.S., and will be extended to include additional countries in Asia over the next six months, UPS said.
