Mer Austral brings on fourth vessel

... and speeds up transit times Terry Hutson MER AUSTRAL has speeded up transit times on the Islands trade following the purchase of its fourth vessel, the Gate, which left Moroni in the Comores on September 13 on its maiden voyage. The general cargo ship will be solely dedicated to the inter-island trades, using Tulear as the transhipment hub for cargoes ex South Africa. Mer-Austral is now able to offer a ship every seven days ex South Africa According to owner's representative Darren Lowe the acquisition of the Gate means that Mer-Austral is now able to offer a ship every seven days ex South Africa, with calls at Mauritius, Reunion, all Madagascan ports, Mayotte and the recently added Moroni and Mutsamudu ports in the Comores. "We offer a 3-day direct transit from Durban to Tulear and a total 16 - 21 day service to North West Madagascar and the Comores, inclusive of transhipment at Tulear. This is by far the fastest service available, and compares very favourably with the usual 6 - 8 week transit time associated with the RSA/Comores trade." Lowe added that all transit times for cargo hubbed in Tulear would be dramatically reduced as a result of the additional vessel, which joins the Parida, Inyathi and Srakane on this service dedicated solely to the RSA/Indian Ocean Islands trade. Mer Austral are the sole stevedores at Tulear (Comato) and, having increased their stevedoring activity in Madagascar by establishing stevedoring companies at Majunga (Comama) and Diego Suarez (Comadoe), the line is able to guarantee efficient and speedy transhipment of cargoes, says Lowe. "We accept all breakbulk and container cargoes and call at the ports of Durban, Tulear, Tamatave, Reunion, Mauritius, Diego, Nossi-Be, Majunga, Tolagnaro, Longoni, Moroni and Mutsamudu."