Effect on local services
still to be revealed
THE BOARD of directors of Finmare, holding company of Lloyd Triestino, has voted to sell its shares in the Italian carrier to Evergreen of Taiwan - but the South African agents for the line are unaware of the development.
You have caught me cold, said Des Murray, Rennies Ships Agency liner division marketing director, with responsibility for South African agents for Lloyd Triestino, Combine Ocean.
What you are telling me is news, though I expect we'll get the full story during the next few days.
According to information which FTW has received from Trieste, Italy, Evergreen was the sole bidder among 16 companies which expressed interest in purchasing the line.
The mood among senior management of Lloyd Triestino in Trieste is said to be optimistic, however, about their future under the new owner, which has had a long-running alliance service between the Far East and Mediterranean with Lloyd Triestino. The Taipei carrier will provide continuity which the Italian operators had wanted, according to informed sources.
Details regarding the purchase such as price and terms and conditions have not been disclosed at this stage. At the same time Evergreen's offices in South Africa have declined to comment on the purchase or what plans are envisaged for the new acquisition. FTW was awaiting comment from head office in Taipei when this issue went to press.
One factor which has emerged from Trieste, however, is that Lloyd Triestino staff have expressed relief at the action which ends a long period of uncertainty for the shipping line which has suffered from a lack of investment under the Italian government.
