Supply Chain Research

Solar power equipment maker JinkoSolar and container line Maersk have signed an agreement that provides “end-to-end transportation” and “digitalized logistics services”. That vindicates Maersk’s strategy of more closely integrating freight forwarding and container shipping services. Maersk accounted for 33.2% of U.S. seaborne imports linked to JinkoSolar in Q2’21 compared to 21.6% in calendar 2019. That came at the expense of shipments handled by Cosco Shipping. The deal is not without risks. Maersk’s other solar power customers may prefer shipping firms with looser links to their compet...