Flexport goes online in Hong Kong

US-owned forwarder Flexport has opened an Asian regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

Backed by Founders Fund, Google Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, Y Combinator and others, Flexport is a licensed freight forwarder built around an online system which provides clients with real-time shipment visibility and analytics for international routes, rates, speeds and customs compliance data.
Chief executive Ryan Petersen said, "Hong Kong is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world with five-hour flight connections to key Asian cities…We decided to set up our regional headquarters here and move a significant portion of the air freight out of southern mainland China through Hong Kong International Airport."

Petersen foresaw that Hong Kong’s role would be further strengthened by the Chinese Government’s Belt and Road initiative to develop links with the countries of Eurasia.
“The city’s position as a key hub to connect the East with the West in global trade will continue to grow, making it an ideal base for our expansion."
Associate director-general of investment promotion at InvestHK, Dr Jimmy Chiang added: "Flexport’s business proposition of an online platform for international trade will not only make handling shipments more efficient for clients, but also introduce new technologies and services to the industry.”