Fuhai awaits decisions on new ports

THE TAIWAN sea carrier, Fuhai Line, is not likely to get access to the Chinese port of Shanghai for some months yet, according to Jimmy Chao, g.m. of the line's SA agents, Hanpore Shipping. This opening up of SA-China trade is part of a plan by the line to add new ports of call and vessels to the current port rotation of Durban-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Singapore-Port Louis-Durban - and to eventually offer a permanent weekly frequency on the SA-Far East-Mauritius route. "But we are still waiting for the Chinese government to officially grant us rights of call at the port of Shanghai. "I think it will be next year before we get this necessary clearance." The other proposed addition to the line's schedule is Pusan in South Korea, and the feasibility study on this port is still being conducted. When these new calls are finalised, the line is to add a fifth vessel to its current fleet which is already being upgraded, with the older vessels being gradually replaced by newer charters in the same capacity range. The ultimate aim, though, is for Fuhai to buy its own vessels, according to Chao.