CEVA Logistics has gone ahead and opened a new, fully automated distribution center in China at Alashankou, so as to bolster its Trans-Eurasian Road transport network.
The 4,300-square-metre facility is meant to facilitate shipment movements between China, Central Asia, the Caucasus, as well as Europe.
The site, situated in the Alashankou Free Trade Zone close to the border with Kazakhstan, acts as a consolidation centre for less-than-truckload – LTL freight and integrated TIR transport solutions.
CEVA said the location lets cargo be consolidated and then shipped within six to 12 hours, all thanks to streamlined customs processes.
The company has outfitted the facility with a Warehouse Management System – WMS technology, RFID systems as well as AI-based measurement tools.
This fully automated distribution center in China is also using electric autonomous forklifts and a centralized control platform with real-time customs monitoring.
All trucks running through the facility are fitted with GPS as well as IoT sensors for shipment tracking.
Lenovo is one of the clients utilising the new logistics hub for standard shipments between China and Kazakhstan.
CEVA has also deployed heavy-duty electric trucks for cargo pick-up from manufacturing facilities across China.
As per the company, the transport model can decrease CO2 emissions by 46% when compared with conventional logistics solutions.
The new facility also backs optimised LTL service by CEVA between Shenzhen and Suzhou as well as Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
CEVA said the new arrangement reduces transit times to 9-11 days from around 20 days.
Apparently, local authorities conferred on CEVA the Silk Road Innovation International Cross-border Logistics Excellence Award at the opening ceremony.
According to APAC Ground & Rail Leader, CEVA Logistics, Kelvin Tang, “Alashankou is a key strategic gateway on the China-Central Asia-Caucasus region-Europe corridor. With the Alashankou logistics hub currently fully operational, we are strategically positioned to fulfil the growing demand.”
