New vessels have ‘upped the game’

The introduction of new custom-built multi-purpose vessels to serve shipments through the port of Walvis Bay has “upped the game” for the port, says Martin Louw, Namibian manager of MACS. With the new vessels MACS can now cater for lifts of up to 240 tons in Walvis Bay. The line has also upgraded the reefer and dry cargo handling equipment on its vessels and in the port, he added. “More shippers are taking advantage of the added capacity, with MACS handling containers, bulk and breakbulk,” he told FTW. The line provides a multipurpose liner service between the United Kingdom/Europe, Northwest continent and southern Africa, and with the sister company, GAL, South Africa and the United States through to the Gulf of Mexico. A similar trans-Atlantic service between the Americas and Europe was introduced in January 2015. The GAL service provides a three-weekly service for breakbulk and containerised cargo between North America and Walvis Bay, serving Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Operating east-bound out of Houston it calls on Lobito in Angola and then Walvis Bay before continuing round the coast to Maputo every three weeks. Westbound the vessels discharge in Houston, New Orleans and Jacksonville. The line is upbeat about future growth once the new container terminal in Walvis Bay has been completed. “We believe it will alleviate congestion in the port. And berthing availability is expected to improve on berths 1, 2 and 3 for both our regular services and charters,” said Louw. CAPTION A MACS vessel being loaded in the port of Walvis Bay.