LOGISTICS company Samskip has launched a dedicated air cargo business, adding to its services portfolio, which already includes rail, road, shortsea and inland waterway links throughout Europe and globally. 

On 1 May, Samskip Air opened its new offices at Schiphol Airport. 

Hans Blauw manages Samskip Air. He is a 35-year veteran of the air-freight industry. He joined Samskip as air freight manager after four years of running Fairways Group to support Aeroméxico and DHL Aviation. 

Mr Blauw reports to Samskip Logistics general manager freight forwarding Mon Verstegen.  

“As a career logistics professional, the opportunity to help Samskip Air become a force in airfreight logistics was too good to miss, in a market that is currently under-served on quality,” Mr Blauw said. 

“The group has exceptional skills in temperature-controlled goods, pharmaceuticals, electrical goods and automotive parts, and there is always room for services that offer reliability, cargo handling expertise, security and robust documentation.” 

Mr Blauw said Samskip has the ability to flourish in the air cargo services space, with 47 offices in 35 countries and local staff and customs know-how. 

Samskip Logistics director, global forwarding Martijn Tasma said Schiphol is a global gateway for air frieight business and provides a European gateway to Samskip’s multimodal network of trucks, trains, barges and short sea vessels. 

“Hans’s track record speaks for itself and we are delighted to welcome him aboard as the entrepreneurial engine driving Samskip Air,” Mr Tasma said. 

“In the weeks ahead, we will be presenting Samskip Air and explaining how, as a major transport group, Samskip has the negotiating power that works to the advantage of its airfreight customers and the support network to de-risk the air freight supply chain.”