Gauteng holds key to Safmarine’s SA growth

Safmarine’s Johannesburg operation holds the key to the line’s growth in South Africa, says regional executive for Safmarine Gauteng, Peter Andre. This year Safmarine has seen its export market share increase at a higher percentage than the estimated market growth. “This is mainly due to a greater focus on core markets and the strengthening of key customer relationships,” says Andre. While the line offers the market a wide range of products, it is always looking for new trade routes and opportunities, he told FTW. “An example is the newly launched FEW3 service which offers weekly direct connections from key ports in China and Malaysia. The service’s direct call in Durban will offer additional space to Safmarine’s Southern Africa customers during the traditional high volume peak months. Direct calls are then made to Pointe Noire and Tin Can Island in West Africa.” Andre says chemicals company, Sasol, is a strategic partner on this new service and its support for FEW3 follows that provided in 2009 for the launch of Safmarine’s 225 service, the line’s first dedicated container service between South Africa and West Africa.