Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has entered into a joint venture with Myanmar-based Carrier King Logistics that makes it the first independent company in the country to provide modern automobile distribution from port to consumer.
With the rapid and ongoing democratisation of Myanmar, a new consumer market is emerging—including a growing demand for automobiles with more and more international manufacturers establishing dealerships in the country’s largest city, Yangon.
“Myanmar traditionally had a very limited automobile market, and still today the majority of cars sold in Myanmar are second-hand vehicles imported from Japan. They arrive at the ports and are then ‘jockey driven’ by individual drivers from the ports to wherever they are sold—or owners or dealers come to the port themselves to pick up the vehicles. As new cars are starting to enter the country, a professional and safe transport solution is clearly needed”, explains Trond Tonjum, Head of WWL South East Asia.
“We really see the potential, and feel that, with the synergies we can create with our long-established activities in Thailand, this is an important market to be in”, continues Tonjum. “We are ready to serve the Myanmar market as it continues to develop. In the beginning, WWL will concentrate on vehicle transhipment and inland services from Yangon port into the city, but the future is encouraging and WWL will be ready to provide all the logistics services that the customers will need, for example a full service to all destinations, including ocean transport, customs clearance, vehicle inspection and processing before delivery into the country.”
The new joint venture will provide new car-carrying trucks and trailers. Preparation on securing top quality on the operation and handling of the vehicles is key for WWL. Time has been invested on training and developing a team of professional drivers to handle the trucks and its cargo. General Manager of WWL Myanmar is Michael Gamban, a qualified manager with more than 12 years of experience and a deep knowledge in the Thai auto distribution market.