Maersk targets Southeast Asia with three-year investment plan

The investment in its supply chain infrastructure will “support Southeast Asia’s emergence as a global production hub and a consumption powerhouse”, Maersk explained. The planned three-year investment includes scaling its warehousing and distribution footprint by up to 50 percent across the area. By 2026, Maersk expects to add nearly 480,000 sq m capacity spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

With these investments, Maersk said it will be able to better serve customers with mega distribution centres that are strategically located, sustainable, and equipped with advanced automation to drive increased efficiencies. One of the notable investments will be at the port of Tanjung Pelepas, located in Malaysia, where it is poised to become a key integrated logistics hub with multimodal connectivity. 

Maersk is also investing in increasing its landside warehouse capacity at Singapore’s Changi Airport, with the aim of solidifying its position as Maersk’s regional airfreight hub.

On landside connectivity, Maersk will increase its haulage capacity in Southeast Asia with the capability to offer greener solutions depending on its customers’ needs. It will also pilot biodiesel-based trucks and introduce EV units by 2024.

On the ocean and terminal front, the company will continue to invest in expanding its infrastructure across the region through APM Terminals, to support enhanced ocean network design and bring additional transhipment to the region.

Maersk ceo, Vincent Clerc, said: “Southeast Asia is the fastest growing area in Asia Pacific. A digitally savvy population, coupled with an e-commerce boom, Government’s efforts to capitalise on global manufacturing diversification, growing regional brands, and rising inter-regional trade is spurring sustained growth in this area.”