Alan Peat
IN A major re-structuring and blueprint for growth at Hyundai Merchant Marine, one new area for focus is in the line's car-carrying plans for southern Africa, according to Captain Brian Hawkins, m.d. of local general agents, Diamond Shipping.
The overall plan sees Hyundai intending to increase its fleet from the present 122 ships to 250 vessels by 2010, he said, To move away from the traditional markets of bulk and container shipping; and diversify into non-shipping activities.
This is designed to triple its annual revenue to US$12-billion by 2010.
Part of the plan is also aimed at expanding the car carrier business, Hawkins added.
It's on a very aggressive ship-building programme, he told FTW, aiming to have a fleet of 100 car carriers within the next decade.
Some very modern car-carrier designs are being built. And these have very good deck stress specifications - allowing larger equipment and ro-ro consignments to be carried.
Out of this also comes an increased focus on the southern African market, where potential exists, but where the line has not been so active in the past, Hawkins added.
Effectively, he said, we've got to identify the import/ export opportunities for
ro-ro cargoes.
And there's definite promise in the SA motor manufacturing and supply markets, Hawkins added.
The motor industry is changing tremendously,
he said. Whereas large numbers of models were assembled locally before, manufacturers are now concentrating on specific model ranges, importing the others, and exporting their selected units and components.
This, said Hawkins, allows for both import and export opportunity to be on a growth path.
There's also quite a large import volume of second-hand vehicle units from Japan destined for overborder countries, he added. This is also quite lucrative for the car carriers.
The current Hyundai schedule sees a twice-monthly service between Europe and SA; and a monthly voyage on the Asia-SA trade.
Other services are also calling on an inducement basis. But Hawkins sees future growth as Hyundai further develops its profile and commercial portfolio in southern Africa.
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