Photo: Hummelhummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Maersk axes the names of two historic shipping companies

Container shipping and logistics company Maersk has announced the integration and unification of different Maersk brands including the more-than-150-year-old Hamburg Süd and SeaLand.

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Maersk announced the change on its website on Friday, telling customers that the unification would allow them to better respond to customers’ logistical needs on a daily basis.

“We believe that by integrating these into the Maersk brand, we will be able to ease your logistical difficulties, whilst also offering you more variety, ease, and connectivity than ever before, all under one roof. At the same time, please rest assured that Maersk will continue to adhere and respect all contracts and agreements that are in place including contract confidentiality, so customers can be assured that your information continues to remain safe and secure,” the Dutch shipping company explained its decision.

Shipping company Hamburg Süd was founded in 1871 as a joint corporation by eleven Hamburg trading companies, then belonged to the Oetker Group from 1955 until 2017, when Maersk bought it.

Dampfer Cap Trafalgar 1899

Photo: Willy Stöwer (1864-1931), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Since the takeover, Hamburg Süd has been responsible for all trade involving ships on the routes between Europe and South America, Asia and South America and North and South America.

Maersk’s Friday announcement marks the end of the name Hamburg Süd.

Malcolm McLean at railing, Port Newark, 1957 (7312751706)

Photo: Maersk Line, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As for SeaLand, the company was established by Malcolm McLean, the man who created, patented and spread the first shipping container. SeaLand had seen several owners between 1969 and 1999 when Maersk acquired it.


Main image photo: Hummelhummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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