FCLCARRIER, which launched a string of new niche services in the United States last month and is well established in Europe, announced that it has started a new service between the United States, Canada and Afghanistan, effective immediately.

FCLCARRIER calls at major ports on both the east and west coasts of the United States and Canada with service to Afghanistan via transshipment from the Port of Karachi in Pakistan. All freight is shipped under an FCLCARRIER bill of lading and cargo is handled on a port-to-port basis or trucked to inland destinations, including Kabul, Jalajbad, Bagram and Kandahar. Through the new service, FCLCARRIER moves breakbulk, hazardous, and project cargo, including non-governmental organization shipments for aid and relief projects.

According to Anton Plompen, FCLCARRIER's CEO, there are not many carriers or logistics providers servicing this region of the Middle East. 'We have a long history of servicing niche locations and we saw a strong demand in the market for service to Afghanistan, especially by aid and relief organizations. FCLCARRIER offers shippers and freight forwarders many advantages ranging from our low rates to supplying all modes of transportation on a single 'through' bill of lading.'

FCLCARRIER's services are supported by three agency partnerships in the United States and Canada, including Waves Logistics Corporation representing North America West Coast, Carolina Shipping Company representing North America Gulf and South Atlantic and Seabridge Shipping Ltd. representing Canada. In the Middle East, FCLCARRIER is represented by Messrs Barwil Shipping (Private), Limited, part of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services (Wilh.Wilhelmsen Group ' Norway is involved with shipping, transshipment and stevedoring activities in Pakistan).