New reefer company hints at SA expansion

NYK joins forces with Star Reefers, writes Alan Peat NYK LINE and Star Reefers have established a 50:50 joint-venture creating NYK Star Reefers, one of the largest reefer operators in the world. This merger, FTW was told, is part of the consolidation process that has been taking place in recent times amongst the ship owners in the industry, which has experienced a number of difficult years. NYK Star Reefers will act as a joint pool and marketing operation responsible for all reefer chartering activities of the fleets presently owned and operated by the two lines. The venture will become operational from September 3 and will control a fleet of 74 refrigerated vessels with a capacity of 38-million cubic feet. The two lines have separately built up a world-wide cargo base and developed business in all the main exporting countries including SA, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and New Zealand. The new line can expect SA to be one of the areas of expansion, according to Robbie Robertson, reefer representative for NYK in Southern Africa. "There is certainly room for another operator in contract business in this country," he told FTW, "and we expect NYK Star Reefers to be playing that role. "We certainly intend to be active in this market." Star has already had a presence here, Robertson added. "The line had a contract with the Capespan group, and had seven sailings last year for shipments to Japan." The head office for the new reefer line will be at the Star Reefers' office in London with the present NYK Bulkship (Europe) director, Fumiya Aoki, as chief executive.