CEVA Logistics has a multi-modal solution to keep cargo moving across Asia available for customers in Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand sourcing goods from China.

CEVA said this new offer can save up to four days waiting time as jams increase at national borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The innovative Truck-Rail-Truck (TRT) solution will ensure that there will be no disruption in the supply chain.

Prevents long waits at border crossings

CEVA said China and the Southeast Asian region are facing flight suspensions and reductions, space limits and operational restrictions in addition to long waits at border crossings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"TRT [i]s a practical and innovative multi-modal transport solution to remedy these issues. Several CEVA technology customers have already taken advantage of it to keep their cargo moving over the last month," CEVA said in a statement.

Export documentation requirements for the TRT service are the same as an all-trucked service and Customs clearance can be achieved within three hours.

Saves four days on current transit times

The China-Vietnam road border crossing point between Pingxiang and Lang Son currently suffers from backlogs of 2-4 days. To avoid this, shipments are picked up by CEVA across South and East China and loaded into 45’ hi-cube (HQ) containers. 

They are taken by truck to the cross-border train - which operates three times a day - and into Vietnam, where they are then unloaded onto trucks and delivered to the final destination. 

Shipments bound for Thailand which were taking up to 8 days are now arriving in 3-4 days. The new service is also being used by CEVA customers in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

“With our TRT solution, serious traffic jams at the border crossings can be avoided. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it really is the best solution for customers wishing to move urgent shipments between China and Southeast Asia. As a pioneer in TRT service, we will keep exploring our Road & Rail network between China and Southeast Asia to further develop these services,” said Guillaume Col, CEVA Logistics’ chief operating officer.