Maersk: Providing Reliable End-to-End Cold-Chain Logistics
Maersk is establishing itself as a leading provider of cold-chain logistics, delivering first-class service along the way.
Using the latest refrigeration technologies, and backed by decades of expertise in logistics and end-to-end supply chain management, Maersk ensures cargo – including seafood – retains its quality both in storage and in transit.
The cold-chain demand
Reliable cold-chains are a necessity for maintaining product shelf-life and quality, while also adhering to regulations.
For products like food and pharmaceuticals, a temperature-controlled supply chain helps reduce product waste and spoilage. It relies on refrigerated storage, transportation and tracking systems.
- Up to 72% of seafood spoilage happens during transport
- 43% of cold chains around the world report temperature digressions
- Fragmented carrier network and third-party handovers increase risk
- Buyers reject delayed or sub-optimally chilled shipments
In Maersk's case, a premium seafood exporter in Norway required a logistics solution that could guarantee the fresh and fast delivery of salmon over to its customer in China.
Salmon must be kept in strict temperature control with careful handling, as conditions need to be very specific to ensure it maintains the perfect texture, colour and taste.
The brand needed assurance that the product would be treated with the highest standards to avoid market rejection, but inconsistent cold-chain handling by third-party providers impacted freshness and led to rising rejection rates from buyers.
Partners that can oversee the end-to-end transportation of goods are usually preferred when it comes to ensuring product quality in cold chains.
Fresh corridors with Maersk
Maersk Air Freight has become the cold-chain logistics provider for the seafood exporter, bringing solutions and expertise. To provide the best-possible service, it has designed a temperature-controlled, point-to-point salmon logistics solution.
Rather than relying on third-party providers, Maersk is overseeing the whole process, using its own-operated flight network, integrated cold chain and rapid customs processing.
Maersk's solutions include:
- Dedicated fresh corridors: Maersk has expanded its China-US air corridor to include Latin America, which means seafood exporters and importers have faster access to key markets. Its broader network means it has the global air solutions to cater to every perishable need.
- Temperature-controlled aircraft: Optimal freshness is ensured thanks to Maersk's specialised cargo with precise temperature maintenance.
- Maersk-controlled flight operations: Seamless transfers are a result of Maersk's priority handling strategies, reducing risk of delays and temperature variations.
- Rapid customs clearance: Due to Maersk's network with local authorities, salmon shipments get through customs in two hours, as opposed to 6-12 hours, the industry standard.
- End-to-End cold chain management: Due to continuous monitoring throughout the entire journey, there is a guarantee of unbroken temperature control.
An industry leader
In the space of just three weeks, Maersk Air Freight delivered more than 20 tonnes of salmon between China, Latin America and Europe, avoiding all spoilage and passing each quality check.
In comparison to traditional multimodal solutions, Maersk saw a 40% reduction in transit times due to the combination of its controlled air operations and cold chain logistics capabilities.
"To date, Maersk’s own controlled flight operation team has operated over 1,500 flights, handling more than 80,000 tonnes of import/export cargo," says Marcus Ng, Head of Air Freight for Asia Pacific at Maersk.
"This achievement underscores Maersk Air Freight's commitment to setting new standards in global perishable supply chains."
