WILHELMSEN LINES is to reintroduce its ro-ro service between South Africa and the United States next month.
The line, which has for the past few years offered a round the world service calling West Africa, South Africa and Australia, will now dedicate three ships to a newly configured monthly service between the United States, West/South Africa and Australia starting in the first week of March.
The roll-on roll-off Tana and Takoradi will be joined by the Novorosslysk to offer a pendulum service every 30 days. The three ro ro vessels will call at Savannah, Norfolk and New York on the US east coast; Abidjan, Tema, Takoradi and Cotonou in West Africa; Durban; and Fremantle and Melbourne in Australia. A Cape Town call for reefer cargo destined for Australia is a future possibility.
Feeder connections to other West African destinations, including Lome, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Douala will also be offered.
Wilhelmsen previously operated an eastbound service only, and agents Barwil are now excited at the prospect of marketing the Australia - South Africa leg.
The move, says Barwil's Durban-based liner manager Leigh Walker, was motivated by demand for a ro-ro service from the US to West Africa and South Africa. He stressed that the line would be targeting ro-ro traffic only - cranes, tractors and bulldozers - and that rates would be pitched at around conference levels. A rates war with the current SafBank/Lykes service is therefore unlikely.
The new US - Africa - Australia service replaces a slot charter agreement between Wilhelmsen Lines and SafBank/Lykes from USA to West Africa which is due to expire.
Some months ago we began noticing an increased demand for an African service, said Wilhelmsen Lines' vice president Paul Weedon. We believe the three ro-ro vessels are ideally suited to cargo handling conditions in Africa. New office In a separate development, Barwil is in the process of opening a Johannesburg office which will become operational within weeks.
Management and contact details will be announced shortly.
