MULTI-PURPOSE operator Gulf Africa Line recorded steady growth on its US – Southern Africa service last year and expects more of the same for the year ahead, according to a company spokesman. While the line was reluctant to divulge details of the cargo mix moving on the route, it does not see currency fluctuations as a major contributor to cargo flows. “The strength of the economies concerned is a more important factor and at the moment the South African economy is strong which translates into healthy imports,” the spokesman said. The despatch of vessels in South Africa and draught problems in the US are the main challenges facing carriers, in his view. “Security is an occasional problem when vessels are forced to wait outside US ports for coastguard inspections. Other than that, security is an issue of costs only.” Commenting on the impact of more stringent security measures, he said the new Democratic congress was calling for 100% scanning of import containers. “This would be cause for concern if implemented hastily without back-up and sufficient equipment.”
