MAERSK EXPANDS AUSTRALIAN NETWORK, ADDS VIRGINIA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

MAERSK EXPANDS AUSTRALIAN NETWORK, ADDS VIRGINIA DISTRIBUTION CENTER    Maersk Logistics said Tuesday it has acquired O'Farrells International, a Sydney, Australia-based customs broker and freight forwarder, and has added a distribution center in Chesapeake, Va.
   O'Farrells was known as Howard O'Farrell & Co., Neutral Break Bulk Facilities and Plane Trucking. The company's services include customs brokerage, air freight and cargo handling, bonded warehousing and air freight handling facilities, local air freight transport, basic warehousing and distribution, and specialist staff in customs brokerage and air freight.
   These services will be divided between two divisions of Maersk: A new division, Maersk O'Farrells Custom Brokers, will handle customs-related activities; while freight related activities will be combined and operated by Maersk Logistics.
   The two operations will be physically integrated into a single site within the Sydney Airport/Botany Bay Port area.
   Maersk Logistics has operated in Australia since the 1980s and has ffices in Sydney and its head office in Melbourne.
   Also Tuesday, Maersk Logistics said its U.S. subsidiary, Hudd Distribution Services Inc., has opened a distribution facility in Chesapeake.
   Located about 14 miles from Virginia Ports Authority terminals in Norfolk, he facility has 550 trailer parking spaces, 123 dock doors, potential rail access, and is adjacent to Interstate 664.