ContainersEuropeGreater China

Maersk and Alibaba join forces

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJanuary 5, 2017
13 Less than a minute
Maersk

In a revolutionary first for container shipping, Denmark’s Maersk Line has teamed up with Alibaba, China’s online purchasing equivalent to Amazon. Chinese customers will now be able to book space on Maersk ships, a first for the industry and one that potentially removes many freight forwarders as middlemen.

Maersk told Reuters today that it had begun offering the service to Chinese shippers on Alibaba’s OneTouch booking website from December 22.

Acquired by Alibaba in 2010, OneTouch is aimed at small and medium-sized Chinese exporters with online services such as customs clearance and logistics.

Tags
Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJanuary 5, 2017
13 Less than a minute
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Back to top button