BURGEONING TRADE between South Africa and Mainland China has motivated China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco) to upgrade its service on the route.
The line, which offers a weekly frequency, last month brought on the 2480 teu Trade Apollo which replaces its 1200 teu predecessor in the 11-strong fleet.
According to Johannesburg-based Don Strachan, national sales manager for Cosco agents Cosren, traffic has increased dramatically for the line which celebrated one year on the trade last month.
He does not rule out the possibility of further vessel or frequency upgrades in the future.
And Cosco is generally enjoying capacity sailings in both directions. Cosco keeps a careful watch on containers and is currently updating its systems to keep a more watchful eye on them, he told FTW.
The fully cellular Apollo Trade was built in 1994 in Germany and has a speed of 21 knots.
Cosren has in the meantime expanded its national network with the opening this month of a Cape Town office headed up by Errol Schlemmer. The Port Elizabeth office, managed by Ramesh Arjun, opened in July this year.
