In a landmark move that signals a new chapter in sustainable logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), a global integrated logistics giant, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), a world-leading battery and new-energy technology company, have formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement is designed to jointly advance the decarbonisation of global supply chains and to deepen CATL’s logistical capabilities on the international stage.
A Historic Signing in Hong Kong
The signing ceremony took place on 9 October in Hong Kong, bringing together senior leadership from both corporations. On the Maersk side, Morten Bo Christiansen, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Energy Transition, affixed his signature, while Akin Li, Executive President of the Overseas Car Business at CATL, signed on behalf of CATL. The occasion was witnessed by Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller – Maersk, and Libin Tan, CATL’s Chief Customer Officer and Co‑President of Sales & Marketing, along with numerous other executives and key representatives from both firms.
The formal atmosphere of the event underscored the strategic importance both parties attach to this partnership—not merely as a symbolic gesture, but as a commitment to co‑innovate in the realm of green logistics and energy transition.
Building on an Established Partnership
This MoU does not emerge in a vacuum. Rather, it builds on a five-year history of collaboration between Maersk and CATL, covering ocean transportation, multimodal logistics, and associated services. That existing foundation gives this agreement a working history, enabling both sides to move more rapidly into deeper integration.
Under the new arrangement, Maersk will be positioned as CATL’s preferred global logistics partner. That means not just ocean shipping, but a full array of services—air freight, project logistics, warehousing, and intermodal delivery—will be coordinated under Maersk’s integrated logistics network. The intention is to deliver seamless, end‑to‑end solutions for CATL’s expanding global footprint.
Beyond pure execution, the two organizations plan to jointly develop scalable and resilient supply chain models that can adapt to dynamic market conditions. These models will be customized to the needs of different geographies, regulatory regimes, and industrial sectors. The ambition is to foster operational excellence throughout CATL’s supply chain while accelerating its international growth trajectory.
Electrification at the Heart of the Strategy
One of the most forward-looking aspects of this collaboration is the focus on electrification of key supply chain components. The MoU sets out a roadmap for both companies to explore how CATL’s advanced battery technologies can be integrated into Maersk’s logistics ecosystem.
Key areas of cooperation include:
- Container shipping electrification: Investigating how electric propulsion or battery‑assisted systems might reduce emissions in maritime freight.
- Port ecosystem electrification: Upgrading port equipment—cranes, yard vehicles, drayage trucks—to run on battery-powered systems.
- Inland transportation and warehousing: Deploying electric trucks, electric forklifts, and other battery-powered machinery in the “first-mile” and “last-mile” parts of CATL’s supply chain.
- Energy management systems: Designing efficient battery systems, charge management, and energy optimization tools that synchronize with logistics flows.
- End-of-life battery recycling and circularity: Leveraging CATL’s expertise in battery lifecycle management to handle disposal, reuse, and recycling of batteries deployed in logistics operations.
As part of the agreement, CATL will serve as a preferred technology provider for Maersk’s decarbonisation initiatives—bringing its battery innovations, know-how in energy storage, and circular economy capabilities to bear in logistics applications.
Shared Ambitions for Net‑Zero Logistics
Maersk has set itself a bold goal: to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all its operations by 2040. This encompasses everything from ocean vessels to trucking fleets, warehouses, and associated infrastructure. By itself, this is a formidable undertaking. Partnering with CATL gives Maersk both the technological depth and collaborative leverage to push ahead more confidently.
From CATL’s perspective, expanding its logistics reach and embedding its battery technologies into global supply chains aligns perfectly with its own mission. As the company continues to scale globally, logistical resilience, speed, and efficiency become ever more critical. The MoU helps align CATL’s ambitions with the infrastructure and capabilities of a world-class logistics operator.
Through shared research, joint pilot projects, and deeply integrated execution, the two firms aim not just to reduce emissions, but to reimagine how supply chains operate in a greener, more connected future.
Strategic Implications across Industries
This partnership has broad implications—beyond just Maersk and CATL. Some of the ripple effects and strategic highlights include:
- Accelerating Electrified Logistics
Logistics emissions—especially from shipping, trucking, port operations, and warehouses—account for a substantial portion of supply chain carbon footprints. By pushing electrification across these nodes, Maersk and CATL can set a template for other players in the sector. - Scalable Innovation Platforms
Because the MoU includes co-development of new models and technologies, it opens the path for prototypes, pilots, and scalable rollouts. As breakthroughs in battery systems, energy management, and distribution logistics emerge, they can be applied not just for CATL, but across the industry. - Competitive Positioning
For Maersk, becoming a more sustainable logistics provider is a competitive differentiator—especially as many customers increasingly demand lower-carbon logistics solutions. For CATL, stronger logistics support helps reduce costs, improve reliability, and accelerate its global deployment of energy systems. - Policy and Regulatory Leverage
Governments and ports around the world are tightening emissions standards, offering subsidies, and mandating cleaner energy transitions. A partnership like this allows Maersk plus CATL to be early movers, positioning themselves to comply, lead, and possibly help shape regulation. - Synergies Beyond Logistics
While the central focus is supply chain electrification, CATL’s battery innovations may find other applications within Maersk’s operations—such as onshore storage, backup power, or microgrid integrations at terminal facilities.
Challenges, Risks, and Paths Forward
Although the MoU is a strong statement of commitment and intent, realizing its full potential will require overcoming several challenges:
- Technical feasibility and scaling: Electrification of ocean shipping and heavy-duty freight is still emerging. Ensuring performance, reliability, and cost competitiveness will be tough.
- Capital investment and payback: Transitioning to electric fleets, retrofitting ports, and deploying energy systems involve heavy upfront costs. Managing ROI and business cases will be critical.
- Regulatory and infrastructure variation: Different countries and ports have varying levels of electrical infrastructure, grid stability, and permitting. The partners will have to tailor their approaches region by region.
- Battery lifecycle and sustainability: Deploying batteries at scale introduces questions of safety, recycling, disposal, and secondary use—all of which must be addressed to prevent unintended environmental trade‑offs.
- Coordination across complex supply chains: CATL sources components and serves markets globally. Integrating all nodes—from mines to manufacturing to distribution—requires smooth coordination and data alignment.
To mitigate these, the agreement includes collaborative R&D, pilot programs, and phased rollouts. The use of custom models for different geographies allows flexibility. Moreover, CATL’s strengths in battery design and circular economy give the partnership internal capabilities to manage battery-related risks.
What This Means for Stakeholders
- For Customers and OEMs: End customers and original equipment manufacturers (especially in the electric-vehicle sector) can expect more robust, lower-carbon logistics support from a joint Maersk–CATL offering.
- For Investors: The partnership gives investors in both companies clearer visibility into long-term strategic direction and value creation tied to decarbonisation.
- For Governments and Ports: This alliance signals serious private-sector momentum toward greener logistics. It may encourage supportive regulation, incentives, and infrastructure investment.
- For the Broader Industry: It sets a benchmark. If Maersk and CATL succeed, others may feel pressure to follow suit, accelerating decarbonisation across global logistics networks.
Milestones and Next Steps
In the months and years ahead, some of the key milestones to watch include:
- Pilot Projects
Expect to see trial runs in electrified port equipment, electric drayage fleets, or battery-powered yard operations in select geographies. - Joint Development of Battery-Logistics Solutions
Co-designed battery systems, modular energy packs, and integrated software platforms that optimize energy use across logistics nodes. - Geographic Rollout Strategy
Rolling out solutions first in regions with favorable infrastructure and regulatory support, then expanding globally. - Performance Metrics and Reporting
Public disclosure of emissions reductions, energy efficiency gains, and cost impacts—reinforcing both accountability and market leadership. - Scaling Circular Economy Solutions
Systems for battery recycling, reuse, and resource recovery that feed back into future deployments, closing the loop on sustainability.
The MoU between Maersk and CATL marks a bold step toward the future of sustainable logistics. By combining Maersk’s global logistics reach and infrastructure with CATL’s advanced battery technologies and energy expertise, the two companies aim to co-develop scalable, electrified supply chain solutions capable of decarbonising critical nodes from ports to warehouses.
This strategic partnership is more than a symbolic alignment of vision—it is a sustained, action‑oriented alliance with real operational implications. As Maersk works toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2040, CATL becomes a core enabler. Meanwhile, CATL gains not only a deeper logistical backbone for its global growth but a platform to embed its energy innovations across transport networks.
If successful, Maersk and CATL’s collaboration could reshape expectations for how global supply chains function in a lower-carbon world—and set new standards for what is possible when technology and logistics converge for climate impact.