Maersk opens new Far East-West Africa loop August 12

DENMARK's Maersk Line, and its unit Safmarine, have revealed they will commence a new service from August 12, called the FEW3, linking the Far East with southern and west Africa.

The rotation will be Shanghai, Shenzhen-Yantian, Guangzhou-Nansha, Tanjung Pelepas, Durban, Pointe Noire, Lagos-Tin Can Island, Durban and Shanghai. The number and size of vessels has yet to be determined.

"FEW3 will allow us to offer additional space, during the traditionally high volume peak months, to South African exporters and importers trading with the Far East and intra-Africa," said Safmarine Africa trade director Dirk Geens.

"Not only will FEW3 improve transit times to Pointe Noire and Matadi, through a direct call to Pointe Noire, but it will also make a direct call at Tin Can Island in Nigeria," said Mr Geens.

He said the FEW3 service calls in Durban would also be used to offer additional space to Safmarine's southern Africa customers.

The call at Lagos' Tin Can Island terminal on the new service will mean the two lines will drop a similar call at Tin Can Island on their FEW1 service, which also connects the Far East and West Africa, reported American Shipper. Safmarine said dropping the Tin Can Island call would allow for more space on the FEW1 for cargo destined for Lome, Togo, and Contonou, Benin.
(Source:www.schednet.com)