Maersk opens Chicago Airfreight Gateway

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has inaugurated a new Chicago Air Freight Gateway near Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to offer direct planeside recovery with immediate transfers to the new facility.

The new facility also serves Maersk’s air cargo hub in Rockford Intl. Airport.

The news comes on the heels of the recent acquisition of Hamburg-based freight forwarding company Senator International.

“We want to expand our air freight presence and logistics services in key locations and today’s Chicago inauguration is an important step in our integrated offering to customers,” Mike Meierkort, Regional Head of Maersk North America Logistics and Services.

“We want to create more routing options and flexibility for customers looking to improve their air cargo supply chains. Our new Chicago Air Freight Gateway offers an integrated supply chain solution to time critical shipments and order fulfilment deadlines.”

The new facility is a Bonded Container Freight Station (CFS) with US Customs and operates as a US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF), which enables priority handling and sorting of import and export cargo – according to Maersk.

For import cargo, the time taken from arrival at ORD gateway to being ready for delivery is within 24 hours, pending customs clearance.

For export cargo, the time taken from arrival at ORD Gateway to tender and carrier is no longer than 24 hours, pending carrier booking.

Maersk recently signed a new multi-year partnership with construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer JCB to provide logistics services across its entire supply chain.

Under the agreement, the Danish giant will become the new global Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) for JCB offering end-to-end supply chain management services and management of its appointed third-party warehousing provider.