Maersk partners with Secure Logistics Group for onshore services

KARACHI: Maersk West and Central Asia Limited (Maersk), a leading global provider of shipping, transport and logistics services, has appointed Pakistan’s Secure Logistics Group Limited (SLGL) as its onshore logistics partner.

SLGL announced this development in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday.“This strategic partnership aligns with SLGL’s continued commitment to expanding its logistics services portfolio,” the notice stated.

Maersk and SLGL are also in discussions regarding a similar partnership utilizing SLGL’s TIR Licence, which would enable the company to provide logistics services to Maersk, starting with regional markets and extending to Central Asian countries.

SLGL revealed that domestic services are set to begin by the end of September 2024, while regional services are anticipated to launch by late October or early November 2024.In the previous month, SLGL, based in Islamabad, successfully secured the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) licence for international road transport.

The TIR Licence enables SLGL to enhance its logistics services across all countries designated under the TIR system, including Afghanistan and various Central Asian states such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, along with China, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, SLGL had noted in its earlier announcement.

It was reported last month that Maersk plans to invest $2 billion in Pakistan’s port and transportation infrastructure over the next two years.Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh mentioned that Maersk indicated this investment will help develop infrastructure and play a crucial role in bolstering Pakistan’s economy.He added that this investment stems from efforts made by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).