CaroTrans International has announced a new agency relationship with Cleve & Zonen Rotterdam for their US and Oceania operations.

Cleve & Zonen is one of Europe's leading NVOs with a long history of neutral consolidation to and from their operation centers in Rotterdam and Antwerp. With this decision, CaroTrans changes it agency partnership from the Zigler Group.

Greg Howard, chief executive officer, CaroTrans International, said, 'We are very happy with this recent development, as it will give our company a stronger position in the Benelux market. We will offer many more point-to-point direct loadings, with the positive result of reducing or eliminating bottlenecks at ports.' Howard continued, 'Cleve & Zonen is a strong wholesale neutral NVOCC, as we are, and goes to market in much the same way we do. We share many agency relationships in South America, the Mediterranean and Asia,' Howard explained. 'Our US inbound customers will enjoy direct loadings from the Benelux region to a more comprehensive scope than ever before.'

Gerard van Pelt, president and owner of Cleve & Zonen adds, 'It is a big step for our company and taken in the best interest of our customers. Both companies pride themselves for operating as true neutral NVOCCs, making their own direct consolidations between Rotterdam/Antwerp and all gateways in the US (New York, Chicago, Charleston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles) and in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney). Two way trade along with comprehensive pick up and delivery services in the respective regions strengthen the service capabilities of our new cooperation.' Van Pelt continues, 'The one-country-one-deal principle has driven us in this direction. The connection will allow us to serve global forwarders in a much more effective manner than ever before. We already share the same agents in various countries; but we will continue to explore opportunities to work closer together. Next year we celebrate our 75th anniversary. For the last 30 years, we are a leading brand within this industry, which fills us with pride. The partnership with CaroTrans will definitely contribute to this.'

'CaroTrans International and Cleve & Zonen have established strong EDI connectivity throughout our networks allowing for improved documentation and data integrity along with greater cargo visibility,' Howard explained.

'These IT initiatives ensure customers the latest most up to date tracking of their cargo. Both our companies are on the forefront of leading edge technology and are committed to providing the highest level, most sophisticated, yet, most customer-friendly available,' Howard continued.

'We are both constantly reviewing and enhancing systems to ensure they provide IT solutions our customers want and need and we are committed to making critical investments in the future.'