A.P. Moller – Maersk has lined up the acquisition of Senior International, a freight forwarding specialist with a significant air freight footprint. In an additional move to boost its own air freight capacity by adding aircrafts to its operations. 

The company noted that air freight provides flexibility and agility in global supply chains, allowing the companies to tackle time-critical challenges and provides further options to move high-value cargo. I

Acquiring Senator International

Maersk aims to boost its offering which integrates logistics, ocean, rail and air with the acquisition of Senator International. The company boasts its own controlled capacity with 19 weekly flights across its network.

The enterprise value of Maersk’s acquisition of the German freight forwarder is set at $644 million and is expected to close in the first half of 2022. It is in line with Maersk’s ambition 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.

Maersk expands aircraft fleet

In addition to acquiring Senator International, Maersk has decided to add capacity to its fleet. The company has ordered two new Boeing 777F aircrafts that are set to be deployed in 2024. Maersk has also leased three Boeing 767-300 cargo planes and is planning to place them into operation in 2022.

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.