Shipping giant Maersk have moved into air freight after its first charter flight from Japan to Thailand delivered cargo for a major tyre manufacturer on Sunday.
Maersk say that the maiden flight marks „concrete development” after the company integrated Damco’s Air services into its portfolio earlier this month. According to the company’s official press release, the decision to charter their first cargo flight was prompted by an urgent shipment request from one of their customers.
Hean Chun Goh, Auto, Electronic and Tech Vertical Head, at Maersk Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, says that Maersk now have 11 charters in place for their unnamed client.
“It’s very fulfilling to be able to provide a truly integrated solution for our customers. With 11 air charters in place for this client, we are keeping its supply chain intact! We have provided our existing ocean customer with extended land-side services, and by offering this air solution, we have truly completed the transportation mode circle.”
Maersk argue that by combining the speed of air with the cost savings of other modes, customers will be able to reduce inventory and improve their service offerings thanks to „fast response times” and „affordable” prices.
The news comes not long after Maersk’s decision to launch a number of rail-freight services between Europe and Asia, including block trains from Rotterdam and Tbilisi to Xi’an in China.
Photo credit: Maersk