Maersk Logistics, the logistics division of the AP Møller-Maersk group, has confirmed plans to establish a separate reefer logistics team as of 6 April, with new management set to begin operating out of the company's Copenhagen headquarters and, subsequently, the establishment of dedicated Maerk Logistics reefer offices worldwide.
Management of the Maersk Logistics reefer division will no longer be embedded within the reefer department of Maersk Line, as it has been since the department was created six years ago, but will operate for the first time out of a separate office.
Ole Schack-Petersen, former chief executive of Stockholm-based perishable logistics provider LCL Group, has been appointed as director of global reefer logistics. Anders Roest-Hansen, currently head of reefer logistics at Maersk Line, will also be part of the new team.
Explaining the decision to create an independently run reefer logistics arm, Mr Roest-Hansen said the reorganisation would enable Maersk Line to focus on its core actiivities while placing reefer logistics activities under the control of a more focused management set-up.
'During the last three years we have been able to get Maersk Logistics' reefer logistics operations up to speed and we've been able to generate a good amount of volume and traction,' he told Eurofruit Magazine. 'It makes more sense now for us to separate the logistics and shipping areas and then both teams can focus on making their own calls.'
Mr Roest-Hansen also confirmed plans to 'ramp up' the Maersk Logistics' reefer operatons. 'We're going to be hiring a lot of people over the next few weeks as the new office gets off the ground,' he said.
