Shapiro starts Milan-to-Baltimore LCL service
Samuel Shapiro and Co. has started a direct weekly less-than-containerload service from Milan, Italy to Baltimore to avoid routing this cargo through the Port of New York and New Jersey.
“No importer wants to wait an additional seven to 14 days for cargo to travel from New York to Baltimore,” said James Shapiro, vice president of transportation and director of regional sales for the Baltimore-based freight forwarder and customs broker. “We can serve a large market by using Baltimore. Our local charges for stripping and truck loading are 40 to 50 percent lower than New York.”
Typically, LCL cargo into Baltimore arrives in-bond from New York. However, due to congestion and customs delays in New York, cargo can take one week or more to arrive in Baltimore by truck, Shapiro said. Consolidated cargo is usually available at the Shapiro’s Baltimore warehouse within one to two days of arrival at the port.
All Shapiro’s outbound Italian cargo is routed through Milan and sails from La Spezia to Baltimore on board vessels operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. “This is the only direct LCL service into Baltimore from Italy,” said Marco Mazzanti, director of operations for M.P. International, Shapiro’s agent in Milan.