BEST plans to build 12 sorting centres and about 400 logistics stations in Southeast Asia over the next three years. XINHUA
Best Inc, a Chinese smart supply chain solutions and logistics services provider, on August 2 rolled out a “full-chain, direct logistics service” to send packages from China to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, it said in a press release.
The New York-listed firm said the service would be operated in collaboration with Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Ltd (Cainiao Network), the logistics affiliate of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.
“Parcels can be shipped via land, sea or air, depending on customers’ needs. Certain exclusions such as powder or liquid-based products are shipped by land, while time-sensitive products are delivered by air.
“They will then be shipped to Best’s sortation centres in Bangkok, Hanoi or Phnom Penh, before being dispatched for last mile deliveries. Customers will be able to track the parcels in real-time throughout the entire delivery process.
“For e-commerce consumers in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia who select this logistics service, their parcels will be shipped directly from anywhere in China to Best’s warehouse in Shenzhen. From there, the parcels will then be shipped directly to Bangkok in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam, or Phnom Penh in Cambodia, after clearing Chinese customs,” it said.
Chairman and CEO Johnny Chou noted that Southeast Asia is a vital cornerstone of the Best’s global strategy, adding that the company is considering additional investment in the business and the regional market.
“We have developed express delivery networks into five markets in the region, providing customers with speedy, reliable, and cost-efficient services, while facilitating the growth of cross-border e-commerce,” he said.
Cainiao Network Singapore and Malaysia cross-border division head Au Yeong Shong Kwong stressed that the new direct e-commerce logistics service “demonstrates our strategic focus in the region”.
“With our latest launch into Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, and partnership with Best, our goal is to deliver superior customer experience to local consumers in Southeast Asia,” he said.
Best added: “This news comes after Best’s partnership with Cainiao Network last year to launch cross-border logistics services linking China to Malaysia and Singapore. Together with this launch, there is now a comprehensive logistics network supporting the Southeast Asian region, which facilitates a more efficient delivery process for cross-border e-commerce parcels and improve overall customer experience.
“Since 2020, Best has established comprehensive logistics networks in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia, comprising 24 sortation centres and over 1,000 service stations, enabling the company’s provision of its full-suite logistics services to customers.”
On the New York Stock Exchange, Best’s share price, listed under the ticker code BEST, rose $0.05 or 4.95 per cent to close at $1.06 on August 2 for a market capitalisation of $416.07 million, with 2.52 million shares traded.
