Multi purpose vessel floats into Safmarine service

Safmarine made history when the company recently took delivery of a new multi purpose vessel.

The 1,052 TEU Safmarine Sumba is the carrier's first new MPV since it became a member of the AP Moller-Maersk Group more than 11 years ago.

It is also the first of six new multi purpose vessels that will be delivered to Safmarine between 2011 and 2012/3.

Safmarine purchased two of the ships, the Safmarine Sumba and her sister vessel, while they were under construction at the Jiangsu Sugang Shipbuilding yard in China.

A further four newbuilds are on order to Safmarine and are being built at the Wuhu Shipyard, also in China.

Safmarine's multi purpose vessel head Grant Daly the carrier's investment in the new tonnage was part of its "long-term commitment" to the breakbulk trade in West Africa.

Multi purpose vessels carry their own gantries that enables the ships to load and off load without requiring any shore-based lifting equipment.

Safmarine currently offers six regular multi purpose services linking West Africa with Europe, Asia, North America and South Africa. Direct calls are made at more than 60 ports on these services, which accommodate the full range of cargoes, including containers, breakbulk (principally cocoa and coffee), neo-bulk (timber, steel), project modules and oil and gas-related cargoes.

The new, owned vessel joins Safmarine's existing multi purpose fleet of 14 chartered vessels.

Source: Cargonews Asia