COPENHAGEN (Reuters), – Denmark’s A.P. Moller–Maersk, in a latest effort to increase its ocean shipping business, announced on Tuesday that it will purchase freight-forwarder Senator International and two Boeing (NYSE.) aircraft.

Maersk handles approximately one fifth of all containers worldwide and will purchase the German logistics company for around $644million, it announced.

Many airlines had to abandon their passenger aircraft during the pandemic. It has driven up cargo demand on specially equipped freighters.

Maersk still receives two-thirds its revenue from container shipping. The firm plans to increase its air- and land-based cargo services, in order to provide logistical solutions for clients such as Walmart (NYSE:), and Puma.

Vincent Clerc from Maersk, Maersk’s chief executive officer for ocean and logistic, stated that “the COVID scenario has only accelerated this fact that we must move on this.”

We are buying these assets to build a network we want to expand. This will create growth, so we are optimistic.”

Maersk is expected to complete the acquisition in the first quarter of 2022. It will also add three new Boeing 777 cargo aircraft to its fleet of fifteen aircraft.

Clerc stated to Reuters that the goal is for a third to be provided by our own tonnage and two-thirds via belly-space aboard commercial airlines.

Although the planes leased will still be in operation next year, they are not expected to replace the new Boeing aircrafts which were built last year. Combining this with Senator International’s six aircraft, Maersk will have roughly twice the air cargo capacity.

Clerc stated that this mix is “the right mixture to ensure a certain degree of operational control when it’s needed, while still being able to have flexibility by moving with commercial airline,”