Maersk Line launches new U.S.-based fleet business model

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Maersk Line recently announced it will launch a program to change its U.S.-based fleet business model, which, it said, will result in environmental and safety benefits.

Company officials said under the new plan Maersk will offer their chassis for use throughout the U.S. to draymen, ocean carriers, marine terminals and railroads. They added that this model allows the industry to fundamentally change its carbon footprint, and when implemented nationally, the carbon dioxide reductions are estimated to be over 4,000 tons.

 

Maersk Equipment Services Corporation (MESC), a maintenance and repair management group, has been providing chassis to Maersk Line, and the new business model continues MESC and Maersk’s commitments to environmental performance and overall efficiency while improving safety and reliability, according to Maersk.

 

Maersk Inc. Vice President Andy Chinigo told LM that this effort was spurred by analysis of Maersk’s own practices and other available alternatives did not produce the efficiencies and environmental benefits that it believes are necessary for the future given the increasing "green" legislation.

 

“Finding ways to improve efficiency and reduce the negative environmental impact from our industry activities is an ongoing process,” he explained.

 

Through this model, Chinigo said truckers will be able to utilize the same chassis for multiple moves at different terminals and for different lines, which will, in turn, drive out efficiencies and provide supply chain benefits that only the user controlling the chassis can deliver.

 

“When fully implemented nationwide, the environmental benefits are huge and there will be significant efficiency benefits in the supply chain that will be realized in actual cost savings by all participants in the supply chain,” he said.

 

In terms of other benefits, Chinigo said that this is the closest model of a truly neutral chassis being available for draymen and terminals to use for any container.

What’s more, he said Maersk has made a number of announcements regarding environmental initiatives in the past few years, and this program continues that trend as the leader in driving the industry towards greater infrastructure and environmental awareness.  

 

“Trucks will not have to wait in slow-moving lines on marine terminals to pick up a chassis, resulting in fewer emissions,” said Bill Williams, Maersk Line Vice President of Health, Safety & Environment, in a statement. “Because of the increased efficiency, drivers can get a customer’s container from the terminal faster, better supporting customer needs. In short, with well- managed and well-maintained chassis pools, everyone wins.

 

Williams also mentioned the safety benefits, noting that when a driver holds a chassis longer, there will be less wear and tear on the equipment compared to the current practices in which chassis are connected and disconnected from trucks constantly. And he said Marine Terminals will see safety benefits from less congestion, as they won’t have to store large quantities of chassis on terminals and reduced congestion contributes to better traffic flow.

 

The first phase of this program will begin in the third quarter in the Port of New York and New Jersey region, where Maersk will offer a fleet of over 5,000 chassis to industry users, according to company officials. MESC will provide leasing and pool management services through a new division, Direct ChassisLink. Maersk has a fleet of 90,000 chassis in the U.S. which represents one of the largest chassis fleets in North America.  

 

 

(Source: Logistics Management)