New breakbulk service launched on Far East – SA – South America route

TERRY HUTSON A NEW liner breakbulk and heavylift bulk service between the Far East and east coast of South America via South Africa is being introduced by APC Safe Line, which is jointly owned by BBC Chartering & Logistic GmbH & Co of Leer, Germany, and Clipper Elite Carriers A/S of Denmark. Specialising in project and heavylift cargo, including forest products and IMO class cargoes, the service comes under the operating control of APC’s headquarters in Singapore and BBC’s offices in Rio de Janeiro. The liner service operates on a four-week frequency with a westbound rotation commencing on October26 from Kobe and calling at Masan, Xingang, Shanghai, Durban, Vitoria, Rio de Janeiro and Santos. The eastbound rotation commences on November 9 from Vitoria and goes via Santos, Rio Grande do Sul, Buenos Aires, Durban, Singapore, Xingang, Masan and Kobe. Other load and discharge ports are available on an inducement basis. Durban becomes a cargo call in both directions, mainly as a ‘top-up’ port, says Mainport Africa’s Brian Hawkins, agents for the service. He anticipates the vessels calling at Durban will offer an average 30% capacity. The initial westbound service calls at Durban on November 26 and the eastbound service on December 2. Thereafter the frequency will be every four weeks. Talks continue over Cosmotrans management buy-out ALAN PEAT AT TIME of going to print, negotiations were still continuing in the management buy-out of Cosmotrans from current owners Super Group, according to group PRO Karen Bell. “We decided to exit from this company, because it doesn’t fit our core business,” she told FTW. “We were approached by MD John Diviani to buy out the company – and we decided that this would be good for the group, Cosmotrans and the customers.” The Super Group is also confident that, as the deal is finalised, there will be a smooth transition to the new company. Diviani had no comment at this stage of the negotiations.