In a pioneering achievement, Unitrans Freight Forwarding and Clearing (UFFC) has collaborated with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to ship jumbo containers into South Africa. The 53ft containers were custom designed in China to accommodate a specific exporter’s products for its main market in the United States. “Previously, only North America has seen vessels arriving with these giant containers leaning over the ends of the vessel,” said Unitrans MD Margrit Wolff. A South African-based company is now importing these products in shipper-owned containers, which it intends donating to various schools to use as classrooms once the cargo has been discharged, she said. “This partnership between the shipper, UFFC, the importer and MSC has resulted in this ground-breaking achievement. “Full marks to the South African ports that handled and transhipped these monster containers as if it was all in a normal day’s work. They were confident they could handle the operation and, as promised, succeeded in carrying out a flawless job. Further similar shipments are currently on the water and due to ship shortly.”