TANZANIA – Global logistics leader A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has introduced the Korosho Express, a seasonal ocean service designed to support Tanzania’s booming cashew trade.
Launching in late October 2024 and running through February 2025, the Korosho Express will operate bi-weekly sailings from the port of Mtwara, Tanzania, to major cashew markets in China, Vietnam, and India.
The service aligns with the peak cashew season to maximize efficiency and support Tanzania’s export industry.
The Korosho Express highlights Maersk’s commitment to tailored logistics solutions that meet specific regional needs.
“This new service demonstrates our dedication to providing targeted logistics solutions for our customers,” said Babafemi Jay Aderounmu, Head of East Africa Market for Maersk’s ocean business.
“By offering reliable, scheduled services during peak season, we’re enabling more efficient trade flows and supporting the growth of this vital export commodity.”
Equipped with dedicated capacity and optimized for transit efficiency, the Korosho Express is set to facilitate reliable export schedules, enhance connectivity, and streamline the shipping process, all of which are crucial for growing export volumes in Tanzania’s cashew sector.
Expanding operations in Asia
Simultaneously, Maersk has opened its first licensed bonded warehouse in northern Vietnam, operated by Maersk Contract Logistics.
This facility, strategically positioned near the Hai Phong seaport, serves as a logistics hub in northern Vietnam and connects with Maersk’s current fulfilment centre in Hai Phong and the Lach Huyen terminal, a joint venture between APM Terminals and Hateco.
The facility aims to enhance storage solutions and operational efficiencies, meeting the increasing demand for imports and exports in the region and enabling streamlined supply chains for Maersk’s customers.
In the Philippines, Maersk Contract Logistics has inaugurated its largest distribution center in the country, the 10-hectare “Optimus” facility in Calamba, Laguna.
With a capacity of 76,000 pallets and a 75-dock layout, Optimus will serve as a transportation hub for southern Luzon.
The facility includes a Fleet Operational Control Centre (FOCC) to optimize trucking fleet management, maximizing operational efficiency.
ptimus also aims to be a LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility, employing technologies for energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction, underscoring Maersk’s commitment to sustainable logistics.
These expansions, from Tanzania’s Korosho Express to new facilities across Asia, reflect Maersk’s focus on tailored, sustainable solutions to support growth in diverse regional markets.
