APM Terminals Inland Services will be integrated into Maersk Logistics & Services from August 1, 2019, as the shipping company looks to develop its landside service offering.
The APM network of inland terminals consists of 36 business units covering 100 locations. The integration of this network is part of A.P. Møller-Mærsk’s strategy to offer end-to-end solutions for its customers.
“By structurally adding inland services to Maersk, customers will have seamless access to a wider range of logistics and services offerings,” explained Søren Toft, executive vice president and chief operating officer at A.P. Møller-Mærsk.
APM Terminals will continue to serve shipping lines and landside customers with services on and around the port premises, such as traditional storage and terminal handling.
Speaking with HLPFI earlier this month, Kristian Lund Knudsen, director and global head of special and dangerous cargo solutions for Maersk, explained that the landside supply chain is one area that the company is strengthening.
“We are developing our capabilities so we can help customers move cargo from the place of production to the final destination. In some markets, in particular North America, we have an established offering in this space, while in other places we are in the process of building our capabilities. We are already providing solutions both to our forwarder and direct shipper customers.”
Maersk also owns the Damco freight forwarding business. The carrier is presently integrating its supply chain management functions, such as origin logistics and Customs brokerage, into its core transportation business.
“Over the last 12 months we have seen healthy growth in the market for oversize cargo transportation and I expect that to continue throughout 2019. This holds true both for non-project oversize cargo as well as for regular project cargo,” added Lund Knudsen.
