THERE IS good growth in the Australia sea trade for the recently-established Mascot Line service from SA, according to line manager Doug Kennedy at Marimed Shipping.
Going from an original every 6-8 weeks sailing schedule to a monthly service has been part of what indicates this success, with the last three months actually justifying bi-monthly sailings, Kennedy added.
Although sailings from September are likely to be back to the monthly frequency, the demand is there, and results have exceeded our original expectations, he said.
And, although only advertised as an SA-Australia service, Mascot has been busy canvassing for ex-Australian cargo bound for South and East Africa in recent weeks.
We have already brought in a couple of vessels on the SA-bound run, said Kennedy, and feel that this business could also firm. In the bulk and breakbulk seafreight modes, Mascot has steel products to Australia high on its manifest lists. However, said Kennedy, we have also been getting a surprising amount of enquiries for transporting the likes of earthmoving machinery and mining equipment as well.
