Lidl sets up own shipping line and charters ships

Lidl has taken shipping in its own hands and has chartered three panamax containerships and has also set up its own shipping line Tailwind Shipping to operate the vessels.

The discount retailer has also bought another containership recently to launch a standalone Asia-Europe service this year.

Liner shipping company Alphaliner explained that, “big brands such as Amazon, Costco, Home Depot, IKEA and Walmart have organised shipments on their own, but typically used the services of third-party vessel operators, such as BBC Chartering, G2 Ocean, Pasha Hawaii or Saga Welco.”

Lidl’s Tailwind on the other hand has already secured 4,957 teu sister ships Wiking and Jadrana and a 3,868 teu Merkur Ocean which is believed to have a 24 month charter deal.

Grocery Gazette