Samskip is to expand its global refrigerated foods transportation interests once more, announcing plans for Samskip Logistics USA to acquire the activities of New Jersey-based freight forwarder Rimar Consultants Inc.
Rimar Consultants is responsible for container business equivalent to between 10,000-12,000 TEU per year, and has developed a loyal customer base over a 35-year company history, largely focused on US seafood and meat exports. Subject to agreement with current owner Richie Maddalena, the acquisition is expected to bring three experienced Rimar consultants under the direct employment of Samskip.
Rimar staff will transfer to the Samskip New Jersey office. With a presence on the US market since 1994, Samskip Logistics opened new headquarters in Brunswick, New Jersey last year, trailing plans to open further US offices later.
Samskip has been strongly acquisitive in the refrigerated transport and storage market over a sustained period, investing in more reefer vessels, reefer containers, cold-store and terminal operations, as well as forwarding. In 2016, Samskip Logistics took control of Silver Green AS, based in Bergen, Norway, which operates 14 reefer vessels, principally trading being in the North Atlantic, Baltic, North Sea and Black Sea. Samskip Logistics now owns five reefer vessels. Samskip also invested in new reefer container capacity last year and introduced web-based track and trace capability for temperature-controlled cargoes throughout its network.