Route connectivity diversifies Hoegh’s service offering

Norwegian ro/ro carrier Höegh Autoliners has increased its focus on the used vehicle segment as well as the static and project cargo market in response to growing demand, head of Africa Lee Sayer told FTW. “We’ve also seen an increase in our activity here because of new trade lanes and new possibilities to connect trades together – particularly from the Far East,” says Sayer. With the introduction of these new trade lanes the line is responding to a lot of enquiries that couldn’t previously be serviced. “In the past we may have been classified as a carrier of mobile, selfpropelled or towable vehicles only. However we have invested heavily in specialised equipment, like our fleet of 20’, 40’ and 60’ mafi trailers, which enable us to carry a wide variety of large, out of gauge cargoes. The obvious advantage for cargo owners is that all cargo shipped with Höegh Autoliners is carried under deck,” says Sayer. “The Far East, particularly Japan, has always been – and remains – a very important sourcing region for new and used vehicles. Consequently our services in and out of the Far East form a significant portion of our global business.” The high quality and relatively low cost of used vehicles sold in Japan makes it a significant source of used vehicles into right-hand drive African countries. And East Africa is an increasingly important market for used cars from Japan. “We started a Far East service to East Africa in October last year with monthly sailings into Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. This service – known as the FEMA (Far East-Middle East-Africa) service – covers ports in Japan, China, Singapore and Middle East. Jebel Ali in the Middle East is our hub port providing connections from Europe and the US to East Africa.” Japan is also a significant supplier of used vehicles into Southern Africa where the main entry ports are Durban and Maputo. These vehicles are sold to buyers across the borders of South Africa. “We can now compete for part of this business by connecting our FEMA service to our newly established MIAF (Middle East India, Africa) service in Jebel Ali. These combined services provide customers with monthly sailings from Japan, China, Middle East, India and Sri Lanka to Durban, Maputo, Luanda, Lagos and Tema,” he added. The line has established trade routes offering regular frequency, load and discharge ports, but is in a position to consider adding ports on an inducement basis and according to market demands. While Höegh Autoliners has built its reputation as a ro/ro carrier into South Africa from Europe and the US, greater flexibility has significantly expanded its service offering.