CaroTrans, a global NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier) and ocean freight consolidator has announced its first direct, weekly LCL service between Poland and New York. The transit time from Gdynia to New York is 22 days, and the first sailing is December 12.

CaroTrans is partnering with Euroconsol in Poland to offer this direct connection for imports into the U.S. Euroconsol is a leading, neutral global NVO providing comprehensive local market coverage from six container freight stations (CFS) throughout Poland. The CFS are located in Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice, Poznan, Gdynia, and Wroclaw. Both NVOs offer complete information technology solutions including freight tracking and online booking for effective shipment management.

“Expansion of our direct LCL European service network will continue,” said Greg Howard, CEO of CaroTrans. “Our aim is to provide our customers with the most efficient, timely, and secure LCL services in the market. Flexible and reliable ocean transportation services are critical to the integrity of today’s global supply chains.”

“Our market is happily expecting this new direct service from Gdynia to the U.S. as an alternative to Hamburg,” said Maciej Mazurkiewicz, president and managing director of Euroconsol. “We found CaroTrans, with its reputation in the U.S., an excellent partner for us to develop this direct LCL service out of Poland.”

The weekly sailings from Gdynia to New York represent the first step in the relationship between CaroTrans and Euroconsol. Future plans involve similar service offerings to Chicago and Atlanta.

CaroTrans continues to build out its direct European service portfolio which consists of 42 import services to eight U.S. gateways, and 45 U.S. export services to 12 countries throughout Europe.

Poland has had strong economic growth compared to other countries in the European Union (EU) and is the eighth largest economy in the EU. It has a resilient private sector and a well-educated and skilled workforce. Top exports from Poland to the U.S. include television receivers, video monitors, petroleum, oils, autos, and digital process units. In 2014, the value of U.S. imports from Poland totaled $5.2 billion.