Hoegh Treasure calls at Maputo

Treasure in Maputo Port last week was a first for the vessel, and Hoegh Autoliners’ fifth sailing into the port. It follows a decision by the line in May last year to add a Maputo call to its Europe-SA service on a sixmonth trial basis, sending a strong message to South Africa’s underperforming car terminals. At the time of the announcement, Africa region MD Per Folkesson told FTW: “We feel that we owe it to our customers who, like ourselves, face similar operational challenges and under-performance from Transnet Port Terminals.” “This is a happy day for us,” Folkesson told FTW last week. “We are pleased with our growth in southern Africa.” Rising 45 metres above the foggy Maputo waters, the 12 decks of the 199 metre-long Höegh Treasure have 54 150 m2 of parking space to accommodate up to 5500 vehicles. Four of the eleven storage decks are “flexible,” rising or lowering to allow for abnormal loads. Driving ramps are also adjustable. Departing from Bremerhaven, the Höegh Treasure sails to Antwerp, Le Havre, Southampton and Spain before arriving at PE, where discharge begins. It then makes its way up the coast to Durban, Maputo, Port Reunion and Port Louis before heading to Fremantle and Pacific ports.