FOLLOWING the Sealand acquisition by Maersk Line on December 11 last year, the result of almost five months of planning was put to the test. Today, trading under the name of Maersk Sealand, the carrier says the overall integration has been completed and it enjoys an expanded customer-base from the combined operation. 'The major benefit comes from merging the talents and experience available within Sealand with the current Maersk organisation to create a global transportation powerhouse, thus providing the new group with a strong ability to service our customers,' Maersk Hong Kong managing director, Ulrik Brandt, said. Maersk Sealand, which is the largest container shipping line in the world, is also the largest carrier in Hong Kong, employing about 1,200 people. The carrier's vessels make about 65 port calls each month at Hong Kong port. It has more than 24 services weekly, with seven services to North America, four to Central/ South America and the Caribbean, four to Europe/Mediterranean, three to Africa, two to the Middle East, two to Australia/New Zealand and one each to Vietnam and Cambodia. The carrier also provides services in the intra-Asia trade to north and south Asian countries. 'Vessels deployed range from the smaller capacity of 369 teu (20- ft equivalent unit) in the Vietnam service, 2,000 teu in the Middle East service and up to the larger 4,000 teu and 6,600 teu in the North America and Europe/Mediterranean services,' Mr Brandt said. Maersk Logistics is also currently in the process of combining staff strength and operation of the previous Sealand logistics and mercantile organisations. As Maersk Logistics needs to work with other shipping lines as well, the company operates independently while working with Maersk Sealand as one of its suppliers of space, he said. Maersk has been a customer at Modern Terminals since 1975 and Mr Brandt said Hong Kong terminals were efficient. 'However, it is important for the operators not to rest on their laurels, as globally many ports operate at least as well as Hong Kong, and further efficiency gains can be realised,' he said. Mr Brandt said that Shenzhen ports had caught up and were today delivering services equal to those of Hong Kong and were charging carriers lower fees than their counterparts in the SAR. He said Hong Kong should further develop and refine barge operations from the Pearl River Delta and explore opportunities for bridge connections from the western part of the delta. 'All stakeholders in the continued growth of container traffic through Hong Kong should quantify and efficiently promote the abilities of Hong Kong as the world's leading logistic hub-port,' Mr Brandt said. Maersk builds customer base