Ocean transport company Maersk Line announced Jan. 8 that
it’s forming a regional, containerized shipping company called SeaLand that
will be dedicated to the intra-Americas market.
“We heard from our customers that they value Maersk Line
services but they required greater service stability and commitment. That’s one
of the key reasons why we’re responding with an improved, restructured solution
for the Intra-Americas,” SeaLand’s newly named CEO, Craig Mygatt, explained.
The new, independent unit is expected to officially commence
operations Jan. 1, 2015 and have a structure similar to Maersk’s other regional
carriers: intra-Asia’s MCC Transport and intra-Europe carrier Seago Line.
Maersk says the new company will have local sales and support personnel
positioned in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean, but
will be based at a to-be-determined located in the United States.
Maersk says it will begin the transition of its
Intra-Americas business to SeaLand in a phased approach throughout 2014 and
that the newly established team of about 240 personnel will begin their new
roles by July 1 of this year.
Despite its independence, the company’s expected to share
specific Maersk Line operational services, such as finance and land-side
operations.
“This reorganization is an investment in our global
container business,” Maersk Line Chief Trade & Marketing Officer Vincent
Clerc said. “It enhances and strengthens service in this important and growing trade
region, as well as the future of our overall global service network.”
