DCL Optimistic on Outlook for Trade From Japan to Australia--
 Launches Twice Weekly Consolidation Services
 09.24.01

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Tokyo, Japan-Non vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) Direct Container Line announced that the company has launched twice weekly direct consolidation service from Japan to Australia.

Twice weekly service is now available from Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These services are reported to be the first twice-weekly consolidation services offered by the NVO industry between these points.

Transit times for the services are some of the fastest in the industry. Port-to-port transit times from Tokyo and Yokohama are 17 days to Sydney, 20 days to Melbourne, and 25 days to Brisbane. From Osaka and Kobe, port-to-port transits are as fast as 13 days to Sydney, 16 days to Melbourne, and 21 days to Brisbane. DCL, considered an industry leader in the Japan to Australia consolidation services, carries an estimated 21% of all consolidation volume in the trade lane, according to the Japan International Freight Forwarding Association.

Company officials state that the decision to increase the sailing frequency for these services stems from a consistent growth rate in the company's business within this trade lane. DCL reports that while volume growth from North America to Australia this year has been flat due to the strength of the US dollar, exports from Japan to the South Pacific for the company have been particularly strong. For less than containerload (LCL) traffic, volumes are up 5.9%, while full containerload (FCL) volumes are higher by 15%, DCL reported. Growth percentages indicate a comparison of January-August figures for 2000 and 2001.

In Japan, DCL has had a presence since 1987 when it opened branch offices in Tokyo and Osaka. Since that time, the company has developed its infrastructure in Japan with CFS facilities now in twelve cities in Japan, establishing dedicated shuttle services to move freight quickly to load ports in Japan. The company has established CFS facilities in Hakata, Hamamatsu, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagoya, Naha-Okinawa, Osaka, Sapporo, Shimizu, Tokyo, Tomakomai, and Yokohama. DCL now operates consolidation services to over 90 destinations from Japan, including weekly sailings to the South Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and other destinations in Asia.

In Australia, DCL has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. DCL's offices handle sales and customer service details, while import operations are supervised by Vanguard Logistics Services, the operations division of NACA Logistics Group. For service from Japan, DCL Australia also arranges on-forwarding transportation to additional cities, including Adelaide, Burnie, Cairns, Fremantle, Hobart, Townsville, and over 25 points on neighboring Pacific Islands.

Direct Container Line is a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) that was founded in Carson, California-USA in 1978. From its offices in North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific, DCL offers consolidation and full container load transportation services worldwide. For details on DCL, please visit www.dclglobal.com .