Shipping giant Maersk has launched a digital solution that will assist customers who book airfreight.
The new online tool is available on the company’s website. Now, customers will have access to prices for as much as 70,000 connections with airports globally. This tool will assist customers to simplify their supply chains. These online bookings can also be combined with value-added services.
Easily book airfreight
Darryl Judd, regional head of air freight for Maersk says: “In today’s age, where volatility and uncertainty have become perpetual potential threats to the global supply chains, our customers are looking for agility and resilience that allows them to make quick decisions around the movement of their cargo across borders. By booking with us on Maersk.com, our customers get instant prices, and the transparency allows them to make informed decisions.”
Judd adds that the manufacturing has diversified. For example, the digital solution will assist businesses needing raw materials. A customer can be in one part of the world and easily book air freight cargo.
Customers will welcome this initiative, especially with recent logistics issues arising from the Red Sea crisis.
Air cargo trends in logistics
Earlier this month, Maersk released an article titled “Understand the upcoming trends in air cargo for 2024”. Businesses now need to be flexible to customer needs. “With customer demands getting more nuanced, a high level of flexibility seems to be the need of the hour. Air freight operators need to be nimble and provide solutions that lower operating costs and save time,” reads the article.
Mordor Intelligence reports in recent years there has been a dramatic surge in air cargo due to the growth of the global economy, evolving consumer preferences, and technological advancements.
Also Read: DHL reveals top e-commerce trends for 2024
Innovation in logistics
Last month, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced their joint venture called “Gemini Cooperation”. This agreement will help deliver an interconnected network within the industry. This initiative is planned for February 2025.
Maersk has been at the forefront of innovation in recent months with its operations. In October 2023 the company opened a 130,000-square-foot facility in Los Angeles.
The import/export gateway offers direct planeside recovery with immediate unit load device (ULD) transfers. In the same month, Maersk and Kodiak tested driverless trucks.
Benefits of shipping air freight:
- Speed: Companies may need stock urgently and choose air freight as it’s a much faster option than ocean freight. The Red Sea crisis may force manufacturers and store owners to look to air freight to prevent a serious shortage in their production line or store shelves.
- Reliability: Airlines run strict schedules. These schedules make it a reliable option to air freight cargo. Fresh produce is often flown via airfreight so items arrive fresh at a destination.
- Efficiency: Shipping by air freight is a great time saver. A manufacturer may need an urgent part to complete a project. Placing the item as air cargo will allow the manufacturer to save time instead of waiting a few weeks for ocean freight to arrive in port.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
