Danish carrier A.P.Moller-Maersk and Ethiopian partner Freighters International (PABOMI) announced the opening of a consolidation centre in Modjo Dry Port, Ethiopia.

"This multi-purpose facility helps to simplify and optimise apparel and lifestyle customers' supply chains – saving cost, significantly reducing their speed to market and making them more competitive," says a release from Maersk.

A hub for export or import cargo in Ethiopia, the new consolidation centre offers a range of warehousing and distribution services. "With direct links from Modjo Dry Port to Djibouti Port and industrial parks, the facility offers customers first mile delivery, consolidation, cargo fulfilment and supply chain management solutions. Decarbonisation is an integral part of Maersk's strategy and the rail service that connects all the container freight stations to Djibouti Port runs fully on hydroelectric power."

(Left to right) Addis Alemtaye, Corridor Manager Ethiopia/Djibouti, Maersk, Carl Lorenz, Managing Director, Eastern Africa Area, Maersk and Daniel Zemikael, Freighters International.

Carl Lorenz, Managing Director, Eastern Africa Area, Maersk says: "Our integrated logistics offering is all about creating value for our customers. The new consolidation centre in Modjo Dry Port saves our customers time and cost through consolidation, synergies and providing a single point of contact with greater visibility. Ultimately, the new facility will help to make Ethiopia a more attractive and competitive destination for sourcing goods for the apparel and lifestyle industries – key industries for job creation and growing the Ethiopian economy."