Fuhai moves closer to weekly option

TAIWANESE CARRIER Fuhai Line is moving closer to a permanent weekly frequency on the SA - Far East - Mauritius route with additional ports and new vessels on the planning boards. Effective last week, Japan was included in the port rotation for imports only at this stage. Feasibility studies are currently under way to include Pusan and Shanghai as direct ports in the schedule in both directions. According to recently appointed general manager of agent Hanpore Shipping, Jimmy Chao, the line has applied for a licence to call direct at Shanghai. If this happens, a fifth vessel will be brought To page 16 From page 1 into the service. The line's current port rotation covers Durban - Kaohsiung - Hong Kong - Singapore - Port Louis - Durban. The move coincides with the line's fleet upgrade programme which saw the introduction in September of a new vessel, the one year old, 900 teu Silver Ocean. The remaining vessels will thereafter be gradually replaced by newer charters in the same capacity range. The line's ultimate goal, however, is to buy its own vessels, and the appointment this month of Captain Chi to Fuhai Line, Taiwan to head up the vessel acquisition programme will spearhead efforts in this direction. In a further service-enhancing move the line earlier to switched from a mid-stream to a terminal operation in Hong Kong which is far safer in terms of protecting the cargo, says Chao. Mervyn Timothy has been appointed sales manager in Gauteng. Krish Varatharajullu assumes the same role in Durban.