February 4 - Panalpina is expanding into western China following the opening an office in Chonqging.

The opening follows the establishment of the forwarder's Wuhan Centralised Services Centre and Chengdu office.

From Chongqing, Panalpina can offer customers a mix of overland transportation, an extensive global air network and access to international ocean ports via the Yangtze River. In addition, it has launched full rail service to Europe and Russia.

"Panalpina has been operating in this western region for ten years now and with the opening of this office, we are taking the next important step in our 'Go West' strategy," said Dr Rudolf W Hug, chairman of the Panalpina Group.

Launched in 1976, Panalpina Greater China is headquartered in Shanghai, and now has a workforce of more than 1,500 employees located at 20 branch offices. It has three major districts: Yangtze River; Bohai Bay and Pearl River Delta; and the Taiwan Business Unit.