GEODIS Marks Three Decades of Leading Cross-Border Road Transport in Asia

GEODIS underscores its leadership in cross-border road transport solutions that are highly flexible, reliable, and efficient. With thirty years of experience and a strong dedication to meeting the changing needs of an evolving demands of a continuously expanding market.

Since pioneering cross-border road transportation in 1995, GEODIS has expanded its road network to securely connect manufacturers and distributors from Southeast Asia to China. Equipped with industry-leading Internet of Things (IoT) features, the GEODIS Road Network links Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam through a secure and sustainable overland solution providing full on-line visibility.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the GEODIS Road Network – a milestone that underscores three decades of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to customer success.

LM sat down with Mr. Venkateswaran Lakshmanan, Sub‑Regional Managing Director for Southeast Asia, to explore how GEODIS’s flexible service tiers, cutting‑edge safety and security technology and sustainability initiatives are shaping the future of cross‑border road freight.

Responding to Customer Need for Agility, Security & Sustainability

GEODIS’s foray into cross‑border trucking began when demand for faster overland routes outpaced the limitations of sea freight and the capacity restrictions of airfreight. The company recognized that road transport, with transit times significantly shorter than maritime but more economical than air, would become a strategic asset for companies seeking agility within the region. Road transport quickly proved to be a sustainable alternative while offering similar door-to-door lead times.

“ASEAN is China’s largest trading partner, with trade value reaching $234 billion in the first quarter of 2025. To meet the demands of our customers looking for secure day-definite road transportation, our initial Thailand-Malaysia corridor has expanded into a network that covers Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, all the way to Hong Kong and multiple gateways on the Chinese mainland,” explains Mr. Venkateswaran.

Over the years, GEODIS has adapted its operational playbook to the unique requirements of each market, investing in local customs clearance teams and establishing border‑station hubs to expedite documentation and reduce dwell times. These efforts have cemented GEODIS’s reputation for reliability among automotive suppliers in China, electronics exporters in Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard and Hi tech, automotive and consumer goods companies throughout the region.

A Road Solution for Every Need

Recognizing that no two supply chains are identical, GEODIS has developed a range of road freight offerings covering both FTL and LTL movements. Its flagship service, RoadDIRECT, provides the fastest available transit: daily door‑to‑door departures with guaranteed delivery windows, end‑to‑end visibility and priority loading. This appeals to high‑value or mission‑critical shipments that cannot tolerate delay. For customers balancing speed and cost, RoadFAST delivers day‑definite transit in one to two days after collection, with scheduled departures that integrate seamlessly into planning cycles. Meanwhile, RoadSAVE offers a budget‑optimized solution for non‑urgent cargo, moving goods within two to three days of pickup via either door‑to‑door or hub‑to‑hub fulfilment. By packaging transit speeds, frequency and fulfilment options into clearly defined tiers, GEODIS helps clients align transport spend with inventory strategies, minimizing working capital tied up in transit stock.

Prioritizing Safety and Security

Safety and security underpins every mile of GEODIS’ Road freight operations. Trucks on cross‑border routes are fitted with dual-facing cameras and panic buttons in the cabin, electronic door locks, cameras and movement sensors within cargo containers. Satellite tracking ensure vehicle location and shipment status are relayed in real-time even in remote areas without cellular connectivity. In the event of unauthorised access, visual and audio alarms attract the attention of drivers and nearby persons.

“These investments aren’t optional – they’re our pledge to protect customer cargo and the people who move it,” emphasizes Mr. Venkateswaran.

Full End-to-End Control and Visibility

From transportation to security, customs clearance to last mile delivery, GEODIS has dedicated teams at all touchpoints. At key land‑bridge crossings, our in-house customs brokerage and trade compliance teams handle customs formalities, while central control‑tower platforms track shipments continuously, enabling proactive exception management. This end‑to‑end orchestration reduces touchpoints, mitigates risks and shortens overall door‑to‑door transit, delivering a smoother experience and enabling real-time tracking.

Embedding Sustainability

Beyond the direct benefits of modal shift from air to road, GEODIS has taken concrete steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The GEODIS road fleet operates mainly Euro 5 trucks where nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions are minimized. Combined with biodiesel, this set up drives carbon emissions reduction as high as 25%.

Double‑deck racking within GEODIS containers protects cargo from compression damage caused by pallet stacking and repetitive vibrations, while allowing more pallets to be moved in a single container trip, reducing transportation cost per pallet and tailpipe emissions per pallet by as much as 40 additional percentage points. Route‑optimization algorithms prioritize the most fuel‑efficient paths, minimizing unnecessary detours and idle time at border crossings.

“Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice‑to‑have’ – it is the way we do business at GEODIS,” notes Mr. Venkateswaran.

Charting the Next Thirty Years

As GEODIS raises a toast to 30 years of cross‑border road freight excellence, it is already forging plans for the next milestone. GEODIS is set to increase the usage of ever more efficient fuels and employ Electric Vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions, enhance capacity planning for greater efficiency and upgrade its digital platform for richer tracking and reporting capabilities.

With ASEAN projected to become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030, GEODIS is well‑positioned to drive the overland logistics that power regional prosperity.

“Our mission remains unchanged – to be a growth partner to our customers and deliver goods with innovative, sustainable and ethical logistics,” reflects Mr. Venkateswaran.

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