UPS has made a series of network enhancements that have been implemented across Asia, following strong company-wide growth in the first half of 2018.

According to UPS, since the start of the year it has strengthened connectivity for Asian businesses between more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, with transit time improvements of up to three days, impacting over 500 trade lanes.

The UPS Express portfolio has been expanded, with time-definite delivery service to postal codes in mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Philippines.

Cut-off times for export shipments have also been extended by up to five hours in four markets, giving more than 90,000 businesses longer production windows and the ability to fulfil late orders with export pick-ups until as late as 8pm.

“The global economy is now a much bigger playing field and far less hierarchical than in the past,” said Ross McCullough, president of UPS Asia Pacific. “Shifting geopolitical forces, free trade agreements and a surge in connectivity through new technologies and physical infrastructure have allowed businesses from practically every market, including those in Asia, to take their products and services to customers anywhere in the world.”

UPS has grown its air cargo capacity with the addition of seven Boeing 747-8Fs flying between Asia, Europe and the US. Nine more 747-8Fs will increase capacity by more than 10% by the end of 2018.

The company has also launched a rail freight service between Hong Kong and Europe, and expanded its China-Europe rail service with nine new stops in China, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.

In June 2018, UPS introduced alternative delivery locations at EF Lockers or S.F. Stores in Hong Kong to provide greater flexibility to online shoppers.

UPS has also increased retail access points in Malaysia by 70% to almost 180 across 43 towns.

“By making investments in our Smart Logistics Network in Asia, we aim to lay the foundation for more Asian businesses to expand their reach internationally, especially to other markets within our region as increased intra-Asia trade offers a buffer against headwinds from global trade and policy uncertainties,” said McCullough.

UPS was established in Asia Pacific 30 years ago, and now serves more than 40 countries and territories in the region with more than 13,000 employees.