This month saw the launch of a new direct multi-purpose service between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The monthly AUT-LMC Express Service is operated by Africa Union Transport, the shipping arm of the Africa Union Holdings group. The 7 800 dwt Hansen Scan, a tweendecker with two 60-ton cranes and 348-TEU capacity, is deployed on the route, calling Cape Town, Namibia, Matadi, with inducement calls at Point Noire in both directions. The line has been operating from Europe to Matadi for some time. This new service is seen as a necessary extension. The service expects to carry a mix of breakbulk and containers, with cargo ranging from steel, paper and motor vehicles to bagged cargo, reefers and project cargo. “AUT is strong in the DRC and we saw a need to start servicing the area from SA ports which currently offer no direct service,” shipping agent manager Nelson Reddy told FTW. The company has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Namibia, from which the service will be marketed. Africa Union Holdings is an established investment company with eleven diverse business units of which Africa Union Transport is one.
