New FE service gets strong support from reefer exporters

Exporters of citrus have added their support to the new containerised Safari 3 service launched by Safmarine in July this year. Primarily aimed at providing an alternative for dry cargo exports and imports to and from South Africa and the Far East, the service – which connects Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius with the Far East – has proved an attractive one for South African reefer exporters as well, says Safmarine’s reefer manager John Macdonald: It provides access to the Far East, Middle East and European markets out of Maputo with one transhipment in Tanjung Pelepas. “This option can be a cost saving one for growers in the area as it offers easy access to these key markets. Maputo is also a convenient option for exporters should the port of Durban be under pressure in terms of storage space and capacity,” he said. Macdonald – who has become Safmarine’s new ‘Mr Reefer’ following the retirement of Jan Kruger – says the line has already received a number of bookings for the new service even though it was launched mid-way through the citrus season. A former commercial pilot whose father introduced him to ships at the age of five, Macdonald joined Saftainer in 1996. In 1998 he was seconded to Safmarine to take care of reefer logistics and he’s been involved with reefer business ever since. “Volumes ex South Africa have already dropped but, as history has shown, the downturn is a natural cycle of events and those who survive have the potential to emerge stronger. My focus will be on helping our reefer customers manage the current challenges by taking advantage of the opportunities out there,” says Macdonald.