Direct Container Line, a California-based NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier), announced last month that it would launch a new consolidation service into Marseilles, France. The weekly service will be the first direct consolidation service offered from the United States to Marseilles and will feature a transit time of 18 days from New York.

Manfredi Motor Transit Co. has formed Distribution Technologies Inc., a separate corporation responsible for expanding the organization's supply chain management capabilities.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics USA has added a new domestic airfreight department specializing in logistics and airfreight services related to the trade show, utility, and performing arts market sectors.

FedEx Custom Critical has opened an ExpressCenter in Portsmouth, N.H., to provide rapid pickup service for businesses in the city and surrounding communities. The new center offers freight pickup in less than 90 minutes for customers located within a 25-mile radius of Portsmouth and in less than two hours within a 26- to 50-mile radius.

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. plans to reduce transit times in approximately 25 percent of its more than 10,800 service lanes. It intends to accomplish this reduction by adding schedules, altering existing schedules, and improving the work-flow of selected freight.

Freightliner LLC has created a used-truck retail sales group dedicated to serving fleets. The group will work with SelecTrucks Centers as well as Freightliner Trucks, Sterling, and Western Star dealers to develop new fleet customers for high-quality, late-model Class 6 to 8 used vehicles.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo (VAC) has announced additional service for Las Vegas and San Francisco customers. VAC has added a third weekly flight between Las Vegas and London's Gatwick Airport as well as a four-day-a-week service from San Francisco to Gatwick, supplementing its current daily service from San Francisco to London's Heathrow Airport.

Enron Corp. has created a transportation logistics company called Enron Freight Markets to provide risk management and transportation and logistics alternatives for shippers, carriers, and third-party logistics companies.