Maersk is one of the largest shipowners in the world. It has been investing in land transport for years and has recently expanded its air freight services. Maersk Air Cargo is set to triple its capacity over the next few years, expanding its global network of connections. How can one of the main shipowners become one of the biggest air freight forwarders?
Maersk Air Cargo Inauguration
The inauguration of the Maersk Air Cargo arm was announced in the first quarter of 2022. Maersk Group‘s goal is to fill the air freight services market gap. Since it already had sea and land freight services, it had to improve its airfreight capacity to become a global provider of integrated logistics.
Maersk Air Cargo
Maersk cargo aircraft (previously known as Star Air airline) carried goods mainly in the Asia Pacific and China. It will change with Maersk Air Cargo. Maersk acquired Senator International (for over USD 640 million), a global logistics company based in Germany. It provides sea, air and road freight, packing, and has warehouses. Senator International serves clients in Asia, North America, southern Africa, and Europe. The acquisition of the company means that the Maersk group absorbs the customer base and know-how, enhancing its competitiveness.
According to Maersk, air freight services must be offered at a more “professional level,” which the shipowner is ready to provide since it acquired Senator International. The Maersk Group wants to provide demanding customers with on-time deliveries and a consistent supply chain, especially after the pandemic. The target group is e-commerce companies, which are a large transport and logistics services market. Since Maersk provides sea, land and air transportation solutions, companies can get tailored offers.
Maersk Air Cargo’s hub is Billund Airport, Denmark’s second largest airport. The carrier aims to have one-third of its annual air tonnage carried within its controlled freight network. It is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2022.
Maersk is not the only shipowner that is expanding its air cargo services. MSC and CMA CGM have also taken steps in this direction.