Inside Tailwind
Tailwind Shipping Lines was founded in 2022 by the Schwarz Group — the German retail giant behind Lidl and Kaufland — after pandemic-era freight disruption pushed the retailer to secure its own ocean capacity.
Tailwind represents a striking trend: cargo owners becoming carriers, running container services primarily to move their own goods from Asia to Europe.
“The retailer-owned line born from supply-chain shocks.”
At a glance
- Founded 2022 by the Schwarz Group (Lidl / Kaufland)
- A retailer-owned "shipper turned carrier"
- Focused on Asia–Europe imports