Calling West
and South Africa
NORWEGIAN car carrier HUAL will launch a direct ro-ro service from the US to West and South Africa on July 31.
It has operated a fortnightly ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) service carrying vehicles on the Europe-SA trade since 1994 and is now the main carrier of European and US built cars to SA.
The American-made units have previously moved via Europe. But the growing volumes have justified a direct US service - eliminating the longer transit on the European leg, said HUAL management.
The line will launch the new service from the Port of Houston in the US on July 31 - with the HUAL Traveller following a port rotation from there of: Jacksonville; Savannah; New York; Baltimore; Tema; Lome; East London; Durban.
From there, the vessel will sail for Asia to load cargo destined for export from Japan and Korea to the US.
The West African calls fill a present void, according to Tony Kee of HUAL's SA general agents, John T Rennie.
There are currently no regularly scheduled ro-ro carriers calling in West Africa, he said, and very limited services to SA.
We believe we can make a significant contribution to the development of this trade route, by offering a world-class service to shippers of ro-ro cargo destined for these parts.
HUAL is considering adding other US load ports if required - and notes that Abidjan, Cotonou and Lagos on the West African leg are also available by transhipment.
There's some significance in the line's vessels being capable of carrying all kinds of heavy equipment (up
to 150-tons weight and
5-metres height). This cargo segment today forms an important part of our total liftings to SA, HUAL management told FTW.
The line expects to be carrying used vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment into West Africa. The SA market will add requirements for factory-new vehicles and roadbuilding and construction equipment.
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