A.P. Moller-Maersk’s (Maersk) first fully dedicated block train from Vietnam to Europe has begun its first transit, leaving Hanoi, Vietnam, on its way to Zhengzhou, China, from where it will go on to Liege, Belgium.
The carrier said the train was laden with 23 40-foot containers for its client Decathlon, one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world. From Liege, the cargo will be transported by road to its warehouses in Dourges and Rouvignies, France, by the end of August 2021.
The sportswear industry is thriving despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Maersk, as customers spend more time exercising outdoors and home workouts have become more popular.
Manufacturers of sportswear goods are “piling up” across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, which has led to a lack of storage space and capacity, Maersk explained.
Philippe Dunand, Maersk Global Account Director for Decathlon, said, “This first block train from Vietnam to Europe for Decathlon will not only achieve reliable lead times, but also provide our customer with improved visibility.
“This service is also driving synergies between intermodal and rail transport, adding resilience and great value for Decathlon’s supply chain.”
Diep Nguyen, Vietnam Logistics Leader at Decathlon, also commented, Maersk’s dependability, along with their familiarity with our products and our needs, have proven invaluable. With the block train, we get a totally new transport solution that is efficient, reliable and with a lower impact on the environment.
“A good alternative solution comes up in the turbulent and pressure period of the traditional transport market.”
