Safmarine starts Asia/West Africa multipurpose string

A.P. Moller - Maersk Group-owned Safmarine has started a monthly multipurpose service between Asia and West Africa.

Safmarine said the service calls at Singapore, Zhangjiagang and Xingang (Tianjin) in the Far East. Major West Africa ports served include Namibe, Lobito, Luanda, Pointe Noire, Libreville, Douala, Malabo, Sao Tome, Durban, Lome, Tema, Takoradi, Abidjan and San Pedro. Inducement calls at East African ports and additional Asian load ports call will also be scheduled to meet customer needs, the company said.

The Antwerp, Belgium-based line tested demand for the service using the positioning voyages of three new Chinese-built ships, Safmarine Angela, Safmarine Akwaba and Safmarine Andisa, the latter being named on Tuesday at the Tianjin Xingang Yard, China.

The 12,070-deadweight-ton ships are each equipped with three cranes capable of loading, carrying and offloading commodities in bulk, out-of gauge project cargo, heavy lift and containers (470 TEUs) with special cargo such as reefers.

The key to high customer demand for this service has been the ability for us to provide our customers the flexibility of loading with us cargo of any shape, size and weight. With so many infrastructure projects underway in West Africa this multipurpose offering gives us a real edge, said Verner Hammeken, multipurpose vessel manager for Safmarine in China. 

Source: American Shipper