Jobs in Singapore: “How I went from a job in the skies to leading global air cargo operations from Singapore”

Carrie Yap is the Area Head of Air freight, Southeast Asia at Danish integrated logistics company A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), which has its regional headquarters in Singapore. The company has been operating in Singapore for 50 years and while Maersk is traditionally known for its container shipping business, it has been expanding its logistics services over the years. A new 1.1m square feet World Gateway 2 facility will be officially launched in 2026, further enhancing its omnichannel fulfilment capabilities for regional customers with strategic access to Tuas Port and Changi Airport.

1. Tell us about what you do at Maersk.

1. At Maersk, I’m responsible for the growth of the company’s air freight portfolio in Southeast Asia. I work closely with my team on the ground to coordinate air freight shipments across the region and create customised supply chain solutions that can address the needs of our clients while offering them visibility of their products. In logistics, customer experience is a key differentiating factor, and every client we have requires a unique approach to meet their supply chain needs, whether it’s for urgent deliveries or specialised cargo.

Besides growing our air freight business through air-focused initiatives, we also strongly advocate for solutions that tap on sea and air transshipment. This is in tandem with the company’s vision to become a global integrator of container logistics by offering end-to-end supply chain solutions for our customers. In particular, Singapore’s position as a well-established air hub in Asia that is served by multiple airlines has enabled Maersk to implement several key initiatives in this area, making it a vital node for time-sensitive and high-value goods like pharmaceuticals, electronics and e-commerce products. For instance, we are able to bring in cargo from neighbouring countries via sea freight before connecting to far-off destinations in Europe or America via air.
 

2. How did you end up in this role at Maersk?

I started my career as a cabin crew member before leaving my job to pursue further studies. I chanced upon the world of air freight after graduating from university with a degree in Business Administration and took on related roles in logistics and supply chain management in an SME. I spent the first few years learning the ropes and building up my technical knowledge by wearing different hats, from serving as a key account manager to working in customer service procurement. Exposure to different portfolios made me more agile and versatile as I was able to better understand client needs quickly. 

While I hadn’t originally envisioned myself working in logistics, the dynamic pace of the work convinced me that this is where I would like to grow my career. Eventually, I landed a role at Maersk. What drew me to the position was Maersk’s ambition to shift from a traditional ocean carrier to a fully-integrated logistics provider. This goal of making the connections seamless for customers, no matter what mode we are using, resonated with me.

I also saw many similarities between my previous stint as a cabin crew member and the work I currently do in air freight. For cabin crew members, their priority is always how to ensure passengers are well taken care of on a flight, whether it’s a 1-hour or an 18-hour long journey. You need to be able to multi-task, come up with creative solutions to meet passenger demands, communicate effectively and respond with empathy. These are skills I’ve carried with me ever since and I apply them in my work today, where our customers may have the same basic logistics needs, but require different approaches. Understanding the reasons behind their requirements allows us to better customise solutions to reduce their pain points.

3. What have you learnt through your experience at the company?

Being based in Singapore, which is the regional headquarters for Maersk, has provided me with vast opportunities to explore new ideas on how air freight can be integrated with other solutions such as sea freight. After all, Singapore is home to one of the world’s top sea ports and airports. With excellent connectivity to the region and beyond, we are able to provide faster, more reliable and flexible solutions to our customers. Additionally, the strong ecosystem here means that we can collaborate with other leading industry players on new initiatives with ease.

Taking on a regional leadership role at Maersk has also enhanced my personal development and allowed me to further grow my career. What I’ve learnt is that leading a team is often more than just driving growth or managing operations – in the world of logistics, it is about inspiring people to innovate, while building resilience in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment. Humility helps me stay grounded and is critical when it comes to managing a team made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. That is why I stay close to the ground, actively listen to my team and provide opportunities for feedback.
 

4. What do you find most meaningful about your job?

In my early days in logistics, many veterans came up to ask why a young girl like me would want to join what was perceived as a traditional industry. Having worked in logistics for well over two decades now, I will say that I disagree with that viewpoint. Logistics is the backbone of global trade, and the COVID-19 pandemic is a strong testament to how critical and resilient logistics is to our day-to-day lives. Even when the world came to a standstill, logistics companies continued to move cargo and deliver essential goods such as food and medical supplies all over the world.

The field is also being transformed by the rise of AI and digitalisation. This is true at Maersk, where we continue to upgrade our solutions with technology in mind. In fact, we are currently looking at how we can integrate predictive analytics into the solutions we provide so that our clients have better visibility and are able to be more agile in their supply chain plans.

All in all, the Maersk purpose sums up beautifully why I am so passionate about logistics - improving life for all by integrating the world. My team and I remain committed to providing the best solutions for our customers. This sense of enabling economies, connecting people and ensuring items reach those in need is what motivates me to keep going.