HMM launches China regional headquarters

Nov. 13, Hyundai Merchant Marine is aggressively pursuing Chinese sales in the largest sea-trade market by building a Chinese regional headquarters.
This is the first time for HMM to establish a regional headquarters for only one country. The company has been operating regional headquarters in terms of continents, such as North America, Europe, and South America. The overseas sales hierarchy was composed of the corporation, local branches, and agents under regional headquarters.
The Chinese regional headquarters hired 250 local employees including 11 representatives from Seoul. The managing director will be charge of the regional headquarters, which provides localized sales activities such as booking Chinese cargoes, fixing rates and offering customer service.
HMM will staff 1 regional headquarters, 1 corporation, 5 local branches and 11 agents with 350 workers. It plans to double cargoes from North China to 425,000 TEU by 2005 from 239,000 TEU last year.
Container service routes were also changed to help meet sales goals to call in Chinese ports directly. On a mid and long term basis, services in China will be added and competitiveness be consolidated with localized sales activities with the help of local employees, said the company.
Mr. Noh, president of HMM said, ?hether we are competitive in China will decide the future for shipping companies, considering the infinite development possibilities and cargo increases. The launch of our Chinese regional headquarters will give HMM a chance to reach higher levels and to contribute to mutual economic cooperation and development.