It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

It’s not a storm — it’s the climate

25 April 2026

Maersk: The Box that Built the World

In this episode of Category Leaders, Colin Brown and Martti Wallin take a trip around the world to understand the evolution of global trade through the history of Denmark’s finest Maersk. 

This episode takes us from oil, to containers, to terminals and integrated logistics. From the invention of the container to the standardisation that the Vietnam War brought.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • A family of 10 builds a generational business.
  • Maersk rides the tailwinds of WW1  and survives WW2 damaged but not out!
  • Oil becomes its first great growth engine.
  • The container is invented to counter “break bulk” shipping and reduces cost by 94%
  • The Vietnam War brings standardisation to container shipping and the world changes around the box.
  • The co-ordination dosen’t stop at the port.
  • Maersk scales the stack and chooses to move beyond the boat.
  • Cyber attack, Covid and geopolitics test Maersk’s architecture.
  • Family governance is critical to longevity.
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