January 13 - Global logistics network WCA and global wholesale trading platform, Alibaba.com have concluded a co-operation agreement that will see approved WCA member companies integrated into the Alibaba.com logistics platform for cross-border e-commerce
Last year, the WCA set up an e-commerce network. Dan March, WCA's chief executive officer said: "Many of our member companies are already heavily involved in many facets of cross-border e-commerce logistics. The strict qualification process for our newly-formed WCA e-commerce network will provide reassurance that the services provided by our members can facilitate merchants on Alibaba.com to accelerate their global trading."
Alibaba will begin by using the WCA network for B2B shipments to India, the USA and UK
WCA will provide support to Alibaba in vetting and approving logistics providers. The two have agreed parameters and standards of service. Approved providers will have full access to compete for logistics orders generated on the Alibaba.com platform.
Asked to clarify the relevance of the agreement to project cargoes, Bruce Cutillo general manager of the WCA's projects and dangerous goods networks explained that it received a request from an Alibaba vendor for delivery of project cargo (transformers for a major French company) into France back at the turn of the year, and several members of the WCA Projects network have shown interest in the new WCA e-commerce network.
David Yokeum, chairman of WCA (left) signs the cooperation agreement with Steve Su, director of Alibaba Logistics in Hangzhou, China.
