DHL Global Forwarding has expanded its Asia-Europe-Asia multimodal network with the launch of a weekly less-than-container-load rail service between Duisburg and Chengdu.

According to DHL, the new LCL service has a door-to-door lead time of up to 29 days, catering to rising demand from high-growth sectors including the automotive, manufacturing and chemical sectors, many of which are based in Chengdu’s industrial parks.

“With Sino-German business and economic ties poised to grow stronger, the new LCL service will fill an important gap in what has long been standard for air, sea and road transport,” said Steve Huang, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Greater China. “The fixed schedule service will not only provide a more frequent and consistent shipping route, but one that is agile enough to cater to businesses of all sizes; and adapt to commercial needs based on ongoing economic changes throughout Asia and Europe.”

The service supports smaller shipments between Europe and China, addressing the growing trend towards ad hoc shipments and lower-volume, just-in-time orders in Chinese manufacturing and production. DHL expects the service to ship everything from spare parts, high-tech components and raw materials up to finished goods.

“Since 2008, DHL Global Forwarding has been investing in infrastructure and expanding our network offerings to help make the Belt and Road’s vision of seamless freight connectivity a reality,” said Huang. “This latest service will expand our product portfolio to suit all shipment sizes with planned departure schedules for eastbound and westbound directions. With the recent US$23.6 billion deal signed in July to strengthen trade between Germany and China, our new service will connect people and businesses securely and reliably, bringing a new degree of flexibility that our customers in both regions will enjoy.”

DHL has been offering a range of solutions connecting China, Japan, Southeast Asia and Taiwan with Europe since 2010.