DHL has launched its direct less than container load (LCL) services from New York and Chicago to Pusan, enhancing its connectivity between South Korea and the United States.

These new direct services will enhance the company's presence in both the United States and Asia, where customers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), will be provided with an expanded service portfolio and access to the Korean market in a more secure and efficient manner, said DHL.

The new direct weekly LCL service, operated by Danmar Lines, the in-house carrier of DHL Global Forwarding, can reduce the transit time between the US and South Korea by three or more days from New York and by three to five days from Chicago when compared to current service transit times.

DHL said the direct service can also reduce the risk of damage, loss and other contingencies, resulting in enhanced security for customers' shipments.

The weekly New York-Pusan service, with an estimated 26-day transit time, offers greater flexibility and eliminates rail delays and rehandling of cargo in Los Angeles by moving directly from the Port of New York. The Chicago-Pusan weekly service, via the Port of Long Beach, eliminates rehandling of cargo utilizing intact containers.

Kelvin Leung, Chief Executive Offer, DHL Global Forwarding, North Asia Pacific, said: "Today's challenging environment calls for greater productivity and cost efficiencies. DHL is constantly aligning to changing market conditions and evolving customer needs, holding true our commitment to be customers' First Choice. The launch of this new direct LCL route connecting New York and Chicago to Pusan underscores DHL's position as the industry frontrunner."

Not limited to traditional port-to-port service, the new LCL service also offers complete end-to-end supply chain management, which includes pick-up at origin, consolidation and deconsolidation, delivery at destination, customs clearance and DHL Track & Trace – a unique IT system allowing customers full visibility of cargo throughout the process.

Prior to the Chicago, New York LCL service to Pusan, DHL has launched nine other direct LCL services from the US in 2009 to meet increasing demand. From Pusan, Korea, DHL operates 10 direct LCL routes around the world.

DHL also recently launched its direct less-than-container load (LCL) services from Shanghai, China to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Valparaiso, Chile enhancing its connectivity between South America and China.