IN MID 1997 multi-purpose Far East operator Ahrenkiel Liner Service will reassess its service frequency in relation to customer requirements. If there's a need to upgrade we have the flexibility and independence to react swiftly, Hamburg-based partner in holding company Christian F Ahrenkiel GMBH, Christian J Ahrenkiel, told FTW in Johannesburg last week.
The line scaled down frequency to a 23-day pattern with three vessels after the conversion of Nissan Motor Corporation's CKD cargo to containers earlier this year.
ALS has however made it clear that if base cargoes from markets like Korea and Japan become available, it will have no problem increasing the fleet and frequency.
We always adjust to customer needs, said Ahrenkiel, who uses the example of New Zealand Orient Line to illustrate the point. We were keen to call directly at Bangkok, which was served via transhipment in Singapore, on our New Zealand - South East Asia service. When a customer approached us with sufficient cargo to warrant the call we went ahead. The New Zealand exporter, by saving on transhipment costs, became very competitive in the region which resulted in trade growth for the line and its clients. On the SA route ALS is the only dedicated multi-purpose operator between South Africa and the Far East. Because we serve the regions on a dedicated basis, delays to our schedules which are fixed 12 months in advance, are a very rare occurrence. Next year ALS celebrates 25 years on the SA route, the last 15 as a liner operator. Our philosophy on the trade is that we're prepared to go through good and bad times, as long as the long-term potential is there, and we are extremely positive about the long-term prospects on the route.
