Company to acquire Senator International
AP Moller–Maersk (Maersk) recently announced the intended acquisition of Senator International, a well-renowned global freight forwarding company with a strong air freight offering.
Furthermore, to expand its own controlled air network, Maersk is adding aircraft to its operations: three leased cargo planes to be operational from 2022 and two new building Boeing aircraft to be deployed by 2024, the company indicated in a press communiqué.
In addition, Maersk is purchasing two new B777F and leasing three B767-300 cargo planes. To operate and manage this added capacity, the cargo airline Star Air, the internal air cargo operation of Maersk established in 1987, will become a key vehicle supporting Maersk’s logistics offering.
“We have strengthened our integrated logistics offering through E-commerce logistics acquisitions, tech investments, expanding our warehouse footprint and, as a natural next step, we are now ramping up our air freight capacity significantly and creating a broader network to cater even better for the needs of customers,” explained Vincent Clerc, Executive Vice President and CEO of Ocean & Logistics, AP Moller–Maersk.
Strong air platform
Senator has built a renowned airfreight operation centered around own controlled capacity using nineteen weekly flights across its network. Senator operates a significant part of their business through a dedicated air bridge with own controlled capacity and ensuring a high service level for its customers. This focus on own controlled capacity is highly aligned with Maersk´s air freight strategy.
“By joining Maersk, we strongly believe that we will be able to deliver an even broader portfolio with own controlled air capacity as well as also in other modes of transportation. Senator´s customers and team will love it,” commented Tim-Oliver Kirschbaum, CEO and shareholder, Senator.
The German company brings a technology advantage with its Cargo Wise One core operating platform, a cutting-edge yet easy-to-use single system which will accelerate the integration with Maersk’s Air and LCL (Less than Container Load) products.
Maersk’s ambition is to have approximately one third of its annual air tonnage carried within its own controlled freight network. This will be achieved through a combination of owned and leased aircraft, replicating the structure that the company has within its ocean fleet. The remaining capacity will be provided by strategic commercial carriers and charter flight operators.
Star Air, Maersk´s air operator
As an in-house aircraft operator, Star Air will operate and maintain owned and leased aircraft for Maersk while continuing to operate air cargo for its current customers.
As an integral part of building the own controlled air capacity, Star Air has purchased two new B777 freighters to be delivered by Boeing in 2024 and leased three B767-300 freighters which will be operational next year through Cargo Aircraft Management, the leasing arm of ATSG.
“We are delighted to welcome Star Air to the Boeing family of 777 operators and we look forward to many years of partnership as they continue to grow their air cargo division,” remarked Ihssane Mounir, SVP, Commercial Sales and Marketing, Boeing.
Achieving carbon neutrality is a strategic imperative for Maersk. On Air, Maersk will have similar ambitions as on Ocean, including forwarding business where the company is involved with carriers that offer SAF-based (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) solutions as well as own fleet, where Maersk is committed to explore carbon neutral fuels for the Star Air operated fleet of aircraft in line with IATA guidance, the press communiqué concluded.
