Hapag-Lloyd to launch Europe service

TERRY HUTSON
HAPAG-LLOYD intends filling a gap in its global network by introducing a fortnightly service between northern Europe and South Africa and providing services to all five continents for the first time. The new service will make use of four 1200-TEU ships, each with 200 reefer plugs, and will begin operations from Hamburg on October 15. Dakar in Senegal will be serviced on the return leg. The 56-day round trip rotation is Hamburg, Antwerp, Le Havre, Lisbon, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town, Dakar, Lisbon, Thamesport, Hamburg. Hapag-Lloyd will be opening offices in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town headed by Gudrun Feil who has many years international shipping experience with the company. Executive board member Adolf Adrion believes South Africa presents an attractive market for container transport and sees considerable development potential.