On September 7, 2009, the A.P. Moller ' Maersk Group will merge its supply chain management activities branded as Maersk Logistics, customs brokerage activities branded as Maersk Customs Services, Inc. and its freight forwarding activities branded as Damco, under the single brand name 'Damco'. The new streamlined, customer-focused organization will deliver customized solutions, from forwarding to innovative supply chain management, for customers of all sizes.

Rolf Habben-Jansen, new CEO of Maersk Logistics and Damco says: 'A new, single brand will drive a lot of complexity out of our organization and free up capacity, which we will use to focus on what our customers want to buy. It must be simple and easy to deal with us for our customers.'

'Considering that we are in the middle of a global recession, it's crucial that we offer our customers a broad, yet reliable and steady service portfolio so that they in turn can continue to serve their own customers in the best possible fashion,' says Rolf Habben-Jansen.

Under the new brand, Damco will continue to offer customers - counting more than 10,000 customers globally, including prominent multinationals from amongst other the retail, apparel, electronics and chemicals industries, as well as small independent importers and exporters ' a broad range of logistics services covering A-to-B forwarding and time-sensitive reefer logistics to advanced supply chain management solutions and consultancy.

Mr. Habben-Jansen says: 'To us, it's important that we think beyond the norm and that we create competitive solutions for our customers regardless of their size. We believe we represent the best of multiple worlds: The locally anchored and customer-focused forwarding business combined with the advanced and visionary solutions of our supply chain solutions ' all backed up with the strengths, stability, and capabilities of a large successful corporation.'

While the company is reusing the name of their current forwarding activities, the new brand will encompass all existing supply chain management activities and forwarding activities.

'We have chosen the name Damco because it gives continuity to what we do. The name builds on a long tradition of working closely with our customers,' says Rolf Habben-Jansen.

In the interim period between June and September 7, the supply chain services will continue to be delivered under the Maersk Logistics brand, and the forwarding services will continue to be delivered under the Damco brand.

The Customs Brokerage division, Maersk Customs Services, Inc., will retain its corporate identity 'doing business as (d.b.a.) Damco'. The September 7 date is tentative for Maersk Customs Services due to the many regulatory approvals that must be granted prior to launching the new name. Approvals will be required of every state MCSI operates in and only after they are all received can they submit to Customs & Border Patrol for their approval.