Global freight forwarder network WCA has signed a partnership agreement with China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, which will allow sellers on the Alibaba site access to logistics services from approved WCA members.
WCA is a global network of small regional forwarders which collectively operate more than 6,000 offices in 189 countries. The network has been set up to assist members compete with larger
multinational forwarders.
WCA said it will provide its professional support in vetting and approving international logistics providers for the customers of Alibaba.com. Approved providers will have full access to compete
for logistics orders generated on the Alibaba.com platform.
Independent forwarders should benefit from the deal
The collaboration between Alibaba and WCA, which will start this month (January), for shipments to the U.S., India and the UK, follows a similar deal last week when Alibaba signed a partnership
with shipping giant Maersk Line to offer sellers direct booking access to shipping capacity through its platform (CargoForwarder Global reported).
“The fact that Alibaba.com has recognised the quality, global strength and professionalism of WCA and its members will open up vast new opportunities for business growth for independent freight
forwarders”, said Dan March, WCA’s Chief Executive Officer.
WCA last year set up an e-commerce network, which more than 120 companies have applied to join.
Is Bulgaria becoming Alibaba’s European springboard?
In other news, the Bulgarian government as well as the Chinese Xinhua news agency both report that Alibaba is seriously considering forming a European logistics centre, which is to be based in
Bulgaria.
Apparently, there have been close meetings between Alibaba and the Bulgarian based GoldPoly group, GS-Solar Company, as well as with the Bulgarian prime Minister.
Alibaba has so far refrained from commenting on this.
Nol van Fenema / John Mc Donagh