MSC launches Angola service

TERRY HUTSON
MSC HAS just announced the purchase of the 1996-built container vessel Atlantic Trader (16 165-gt), which will be deployed on its new South Africa – Angola service. The new ship, which has a container capacity of 600 TEUs, is to be renamed MSC Sheila.
The fortnightly rotation will be Cape Town – Walvis Bay – Luanda – Lobito – Cape Town. Cargo ex Johannesburg will be railed direct to Cape Town and cargo ex Durban and Port Elizabeth transhipped on existing MSC services.
The first departure ex Cape Town is on June 15 and MSC expects the service to go weekly from November, suggesting that additional tonnage will be introduced.