Moz ports threaten Durban’s supremacy Austral Maritime on expansion drive

KEVIN MAYHEW
DURBAN REMAINS the exit point of choice to the Indian Ocean Islands, affectionately known as the “supermarket trade”, but there has been an increase in the number of shipments from a resurgent Maputo and Beira in Mozambique, according to the director of ships agent Austral Maritime, Darren Lowe.
This year has seen an increase in freight business for Austral Maritime despite increases in charter and bunker rates. During the past years the low freight rates have taken their toll on various lines calling RSA/Indian Ocean Islands, with the result that only Mer Austral and one other are solely dedicated to this trade route, says Lowe. It presently uses four vessels operated by Mer Austral to service its destinations, two on long term charters and two owned by Mer Austral.
“The Beira and Maputo issue must be recognised as Durban is paying a price for neglect of the necessary infrastructure to run services smoothly. I have noticed a trend towards increasing the productivity at the multi-purpose berths, but at the moment we are experiencing peaks and valleys in service levels. If the required level of productivity is not maintained, this might drive people to other ports if those ports have developed enough delivery capacity to handle the necessary vessels,” he says.
Launched just 18 months ago when it took over agency representation of Mer Austal Line which operated on the SA – Indian Ocean route, the company’s transition is complete. After some “restructuring” earlier in the year, Lowe is confident about the success of the newly established agency.
“We are embarking on an aggressive drive to either secure a further liner principal, or expand our involvement in the non-liner business,” he said.
Its major destinations are Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte and the Comores, accepting both break-bulk and containers to most ports.
The two larger chartered vessels are deployed on Mer Austral’s main line service, ex Durban to the Indian Ocean Islands. The two remaining Mer Austral owned vessels are dedicated to the inter island feeder cargoes for the larger shipping lines, calling at less accessible ports such as Tolagnara, Vohemar, North West Madagascar and the Comores.