FS Mackenzie starts Europe-Iraq express trailer service

FREIGHT forwarder FS Mackenzie, part of the Famous Pacific Shipping (FPS) group, has commenced twice-weekly express road trailer services between western Europe and Iraq for groupage and part-loads.


The services have been launched in response to increased business demand to supply goods to growing markets in Iraq, especially in the Kurdistan region, a company said. It also follows the creation of a business partnership with Iraqi freight forwarder and logistics firm Mateen Express, which manages five branches in Erbil, Baghdad, Basra, Sulaimanya and Duhok.


The service operates twice a week from Dortmund, north east of Dusseldorf and Basildon east of London to the Mateen Express hub at Erbil between Kirkuk and Mosul. The trailers move via Italy where they are taken by ferry to Mersin, Turkey, then driven to Erbil.


"Our trials have been an absolute success and given us the belief to launch this service to the market," said managing director Alfred Stienen as the company was handling around two trailers a week. "The market knows that Iraqi consumers and business community are demanding more western European goods.


As a member of Famous Pacific, the company said it has opportunities for cross trading and co-loading onto the Iraqi service at the European hubs, as well as a link up in Mersin or Istanbul for on-carriage into Iraq.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)