Saecs adds capacity for reefer season

Capacity on the SA-Europe route gets a boost this month with the launch of a new service by members of the SA-Europe Container Service consortium. Operated by three vessels, it will cater for the seasonal demands of reefer cargo during 2009. Launch date is mid February, says Safmarine Africa trades executive Alex de Bruyn. The existing service profile of the Saecs intermediate service – currently operating as a fortnightly, four-vessel service – will remain unchanged. “The combination of the new service and the existing intermediate service will result in the provision of a weekly, seven-vessel service for the peak reefer season period, anticipated to run from April 13 to the end of the reefer season,” he said. The three vessels to be deployed on the new service will be phased in over a six week period.