APL has launched Eagle Express X RailFlash, a new service providing express rail transfer for shipments arriving from China at the Port of Los Angeles to Chicago, Memphis, Dallas and Kansas City.

According to APL, EXX RailFlash will be available from March 14 and will deliver every EXX shipment from China to the US inland at least four days sooner than a typical ocean and land transit combined. The new offering is part of the CMA CGM Group’s ambition to offer its customers a complete and global transport solution through the development of land-based services.

“With EXX RailFlash, the X-factor of our EXX service goes one notch up as we deliver import cargo farther and faster to four key destinations across the US,” said Jesper Stenbak, senior vice president of trans-Pacific trade at APL. “Designed for an expeditious domestic relay that follows the fast 11-day Shanghai-Los Angeles ocean leg, EXX RailFlash will significantly shave off days of inland cargo transits from Los Angeles.”

An EXX shipment from Shanghai will arrive in Chicago in 16 days with EXX RailFlash, compared to a conventional 23-to-30-day transit with ocean and land transportation. An EXX shipment from Ningbo will reach Kansas City in 15 days, instead of the typical 20 to 27 days.

“APL’s EXX service is characterized by its proven performance in speed, timeliness and white-glove service,” said Stenbak. “The service does not only secure shippers guaranteed equipment and vessel space at the Chinese load ports, but also reliable fast China-US West Coast ocean transit. With EXX RailFlash, we shore up inland freight capacity and reliability of our EXX cargo, navigating the North American equipment and transportation crunch.”