Germany’s manufacturing industry has always enjoyed a high reputation, with automotive manufacturing being widely recognized. Since Karl Benz invented the first car, Germany’s automotive industry has gone through more than 120 years of development. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that most important raw materials and auto parts of German-made cars come from abroad. However, when it comes to the main suppliers of these raw materials and auto parts, the German Association of Automobile Manufacturers (VDA) believes that “China’s contribution cannot be ignored.“.

In order to maintain a leading advantage in the global market, automobile manufacturers rely on continuously and effectively respond from its upstream and downstream suppliers. There is a high demand for the timeliness, flexibility, stability, and cost-effectiveness of logistics solutions. Glass, the protagonist of our story today, which can be found in front and rear windshields, side windows, and sunroofs of cars, are usually delivered by sea.

While the experts from New Silk Road Intermodal insisted that rail transport could be a better choice. Compared with other modes, the China-Europe freight train, as the major logistics solution for shipment from China to Europe enjoys unique advantages in terms of efficiency and price. 

Meanwhile, the dedicated team and specialized service of New Silk Road Intermodal have proved that they can support their customer in each stage of the cycle. Mr. Zan Wang, the sales manager, once received a thank-you letter from a customer, who generously said, “Your service quality is beyond doubt, and we look forward to more opportunities for cooperation.”

The glasses commonly used in automobiles

Strict-controlled handling in every details of loading 

The glasses to be shipped by the NSR Intermodal this time were packed in more than a hundred containers. As they were transported by rail for the first time, the shipper were puzzled and got dizzy at the all the documents and procedures. Ms. Chen, the operator in NSR, responded to the anxiety and worries of customers with great patience and care. “ It usually took some time for our clients to switch from sea to rail, what they need is our support.” , she said.

With on-site investigation and communication, Ms. Chen and the   workers at the yard jointly developed a packing plan, fastened the goods with triangular wood and iron wire, and finally adjusted the goods to the appropriate position.

Seamless coordination to copy with contingencies

Most manufacturers of cars are highly sensitive to the time. These batches of glasses have a specific need to reach clients as quickly as possible.

Possibly, the sea transport may be affected by uncertain factors such as extreme weather, port congestion, and cancellation of plans making it difficult to arrive on time . So it is crucial for the forwarders to demonstrate their capabilities to coordinate and to minimize risks.

In August 2022, two containers were expected to depart from Wuhan. Unfortunately, due to the temporary cancellation of the plan, they were stranded at the ports for several weeks. Although the common practice is to wait for the next departure, NSR knew that a delay in delivery was not an option – it impacted clients who were relying on the punctuality. New Silk Road actively switched to the contingency plan and used truck-rail transport so that the glasses could reach Germany within the deadline. They searched for alternative spaces for storage and dispatched vehicles to transfer the goods out. Finally, two containers filled with glasses set sail from Xi’an.

Speaking of the bits and pieces during the transportation process, Mr. Zan Wang recalled, “Even with meticulous arrangements, unexpected events are always unpredictable. One time, a container loaded with car glass broke down in Russia, and we arranged for a truck from Belarus to pick up the damaged container and replace it with a new one. Of course, the company’s ability and efforts to respond to emergencies were highly  recommended by customers.”

The damaged glasses during transportation has been rescued by NSR

Alternative insurance service for special cargo.

Unlike other general cargoes, glass has higher requirements for  safety. Although they are wrapped in wooden pallets carefully to reduce damages, it is inevitable that these fragile items could be damaged whether it is transported by rail or by sea.

Generally speaking, the claims for insurance after damages takes several months, which may be harsh time for the customers. New Silk Road decided to immediately compensate the customer in advance after they received the requests for compensations. It immediate relieved the cash pressure and worries of the manufacturers. These customized service did actually protect the valuable cargoes from potential risks.