Alan Peat
P&O NEDLLOYD launches its new, weekly, named-day Asia-South Africa-East Coast South America service on April 5 with the sailing from Yokohama of the P&O Nedlloyd Algoa (officially named today in Port Elizabeth).
She is one of 10 newbuilds (2000/2001) in the fleet, varying from 2 500 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) to 3 500 TEU capacity, and all with substantial reefer space. Service speeds of 22-knots translate into 21-day transit from Yokohama to Port Elizabeth; 10 days from Singapore; and 7 days PE to Santos.
The full service rotation is: Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Pusan, Keelung, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Elizabeth, Santos, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio Grande, Paranagua, Santos, Rio de Janeiro / Sao Francisco du Sul (ALT), Cape Town, Durban, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama.
The service (although a continuing voyage using the same vessel system) is being marketed under two brand names - SAFESA (SA-Far East-South Asia), and SALSA (SA-South America).
After her arrival in PE in the last week of April, the Algoa then sails west - to open the South American leg. The service from SA to Asia will also phase in in late April.
It's fast transits that make this service, according to PONL marketing manager Iain McIntosh.
Fast transits from key Japanese and SE Asian ports into PE, he said. That allows fast-track for industry both in PE and Gauteng.
Also, the PE gateway allows smooth transit of cargo to-and-from Gauteng using fast rail connections - and there are good connections through to Cape Town and Durban.
It also offers equally fast connections for SA exporters into South American markets - with Rio and Santos only a week's sailing away.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
