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FedEx Trade Networks does it with ease, and reliability

FedEx Trade Networks, the freight forwarding and customs brokerage arm of global shipping giant FedEx Corp, provides customers around the world with multi-modal solutions to match their unique supply chain needs.

Industry veteran Joseph Frank, vice president, FedEx Trade Networks, Asia, first worked for an ocean carrier in the 1970s when intermodal transport was largely unknown.

So, it is no surprise that he embraces ongoing trade development like Beijing's "One Road, One Belt" initiative and anticipates FedEx Trade Networks will play a larger role in the project one day.

China's proposed "One Road, One Belt" will build railways, roads, tunnels and bridges along Marco Polo's Asia-Europe Old Silk Road through joint ventures and public/private partnerships.

But Mr Frank cautions against solely relying on land bridges. "Remember that the volumes rail structures can handle do not come close to what you can do by ocean," said Mr Frank.

One Eurasian land bridge obstacle is the low-level infrastructure development along the way, which is years away from matching US and Canadian railway double stacking of enormous intermodal freight trains.

Before that happens, there must be the removal, bypassing or upgrading of bridges and tunnels that would make North American rail volumes possible on Eurasian routes.

While Mr Frank sees value in intermodal capabilities coming to fruition along Marco Polo's Old Silk Road, he believes ocean transport still holds the higher volume potential between Asia and Europe.

Nonetheless, Mr Frank sees FedEx Trade Networks playing a significant role. "We see this as a great opportunity because it's going to be similar to the development of the intermodal rail services you see in North America or what you see in Europe," said Mr Frank.

"What differentiates us from other forwarders is that we are part of FedEx and have unmatched capabilities to provide customers with solutions for their entire supply chain. We adapt as the industry evolves and are truly guided by working with our customers to build solutions based upon their needs," he said.

"In today's environment, and with the significant and frequent shelf life changes of products, a customer's requirements can shift from needing it next-day to moving down the chain to five-day service and eventually to ocean service," said Mr Frank. "FedEx Trade Networks connects customers with the right solutions at the right speed to meet their changing needs."

Mr Frank also sees a growing role for FedEx Trade Networks in e-commerce, which one might place within the realm of quick delivery. However, to make that quick delivery possible, there are additional complexities that need to be addressed.

In e-commerce, it's critical to know the duties and taxes in the country where you are selling your merchandise. That's where FedEx Trade Networks can also provide value.

"We're in a very good position in the e-commerce sector because we have in-house specialists with the knowledge and tools needed for international trade, and we have it up front with regard to the purchase of a particular product, " said Mr Frank.

"When you combine that with our transportation and delivery capabilities, we are able to build cost-effective, end-to-end solutions for customers of all sizes.

"The FedEx brand is based on quality and reliability, and when you're able to provide the type of service customers can depend on it, whether it's one or two days, or three to five days, that's truly what customers are looking for," said Mr Frank.

"These days some customers may look for low cost options, but a successful solution is more than that ?it's reliability and flexibility ?and that's what FedEx Trade Networks provides," said Mr Frank.