THE SHIPPING lines in the GEX (Good Hope Express) consortium on the Far East-SA-South America trade are still examining what ships it will need to maintain its fleet schedule, according to Rob Sainsbury, m.d. of Quadrant Line - the SA member.
We are reviewing what is necessary for additional ships in November - when the Nantai vessels are withdrawn, he said. But, as far as everybody is concerned, we intend it to be business as usual. Nantai - whose withdrawal from the group was rather acrimonious - has two vessels plying the trade, both of about 1 400 TEU (twenty - foot equivalent unit) capacity. With these two vessels the GEX fleet is 11 ships strong.# But, Sainsbury added: We have no intention of breaking our weekly service, and will definitely go back to 11 ships when it becomes necessary.
