News / Lidl launches its own carrier and goes shopping for a fleet of box ships

The Jadrana. Photo: vesselfinder.com

In the latest move that sees a major shipper taking greater control of its supply chain, German discount retailer Lidl has chartered three panamax containerships

And reportedly it has bought another, as it prepares to launch a standalone Asia-Europe service this year.

According to Alphaliner, Europe’s largest supermarket group has gone one step further than other major shippers, however. It has set up its own shipping line – Tailwind Shipping – to operate the vessels.

Alphaliner said: “Big brands such as Amazon, Costco, ...