SPECIALIST CAR carrier HUAL has expanded its export services and introduced an Australia, Noumea and Europe, United Kingdom run.
The monthly service to Australia and Noumea calls at Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane with other ports on inducement.
The new ro-ro service from South Africa to Europe and the UK will serve Bremerhaven, Southampton, Antwerp and Le Havre on a monthly basis.
The new services will cater for South Africa's growing vehicle export trade, says Tony Kee, Durban-based director of agents Rennies Ships Agency. South Africa has become a global force in the manufacture and export of high quality motor vehicles, exporting some 100 000 vehicles a year.
We expect to see further growth from other manufacturers in the near future, he told FTW.
HUAL entered the local market over five years ago offering one sailing a month from European ports into Durban, continuing to the Indian Ocean islands and Far East. Its initial focus was imports of European-manufactured vehicles into South Africa.
The line now has 14 SA port calls a month, and while the main trade is still from Europe to South Africa, and on to the Indian Ocean Islands and Far East, monthly sailings are offered from the US East Coast and Caribbean into South Africa continuing to the Far East.
The growing number of car carriers calling at SA ports has motivated the establishment of a specialist talk shop, the PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) Forum, comprising all the major players who meet regularly to solve problems proactively.
The motor industry has been driven by the MIDP. (Motor Industry Development Programme) which
in essence promotes exports of vehicles and components and regulates the import of motor vehicles into South Africa.
BMW, Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler have been at the forefront of developing South Africa's export trade and other motor manufacturers will soon follow suit.
It is expected that shortly South Africa's
fully built-up vehicle exports will be the equivalent of 50% of local sales.
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