Angola line celebrates centenary voyage

Irving Berlin’s classic song, “Blue Skies smiling at me” seemed rather fitting last week as Meihuizen International celebrated the 100th voyage of the multipurpose Blue Sky which operates between South Africa and Angola. The multi-faceted Cape Town company has represented the Angola/ South Line since inception in 1992 and Blue Sky, with its blue hull and white superstructure, has become a permanent fixture, perhaps the doyen, on the West Africa trade. Peter Meihuizen, MD of Meihuizen International, told the gathering of clients representing the likes of Safcor Panalpina, Tristan Export, DHL Global Forwarding, Iscosa and AMT SA: “We would be hoping to replace the Blue Sky with a new or newer vessel early next year , why not Blue Sky 2?” Alan Winde, Western Cape MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, said the province was “100% supportive of the oil and gas industry focus. “A lot of people are already knocking at our door, asking how they can bring more logistics, supply and head office space to Cape Town. “Cape Town may not have oil on its doorstep but it has the necessary infrastructure and if we as government can help you grow your business, that is what we want to do.” Mark Kilbride, ships agency director for Meihuizen International, did some calculations for FTW, revealing that over the 100 voyages, Blue Sky has covered at least 365 000 nautical miles, carrying approximately 11 000 TEUs, around 2 000 refrigerated containers and some 95 000 tons of breakbulk cargoes. “As a segment of our business Angola South Line has grown to be a substantial performer within our multi-faceted operations and we expect it to continue to follow the growth path of the oil and gas industry,” he told FTW. “Our relationship with Angola is as strong as ever and we are confident this will develop further.” With close on 20 years’ experience in the Angola South Africa trade, ASL serves as a niche market rather than competing with larger carriers though competition obviously exists, which calls for flexibility and trying to meet clients’ documentary and cargo handling requirements. Given that ASL calls primarily at oil industry terminals rather than commercial terminals, congestion is not a factor for the Blue Sky. “The problems we experience on the route are port infrastructure limitations which impact on the size and type of the vessel that is employed, weather/sea conditions and landside logistics.