FE-SA-West Africa service for June launch

With a new shipping service on the Far East-SA-West Africa trade, the Netherlands line, NileDutch – which has a nowhistoric relationship with West Africa – is increasing its focus on what it sees as a burgeoning market in SA. In a joint-venture with the major Japanese shipping line, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), NileDutch has announced a fortnightly service between Asia, SA and West Africa, starting June 17 with the arrival of the Commodore in Shanghai. The service will run between Shanghai, Shenzhen (Shekou), Singapore, Durban, Lome, Tema and Lagos – with NileDutch and NYK each deploying two vessels of between 2 200-TEU and 2 700-TEU capacity. In an exclusive interview with FTW, NileDutch’s Rotterdam-based liner director, Jan-Willem de Braal, said: “NileDutch, will be expanding its presence in West Africa by adding the new service to its current Asia-Angola service.”