Changes for Med and Safdal
RESTRUCTURING AT Safmarine has led to changes in liner trade management which see Barbara van Rensburg taking over from Alex de Bruyn as trade manager on the Mediterranean service.
De Bruyn meanwhile moves into the trade executive seat for the Safdal partnership within SAECS (SA - Europe Container Service).
Under the new structure Frits Bijker, previous Safdal trade executive, takes responsibility for all Southern African liner trades, which include SafBank, Safdal and the Far East, and relinquishes his portfolio in SAECS, of which he remains c.e.o.
In her new role, Van Rensburg believes that the recent tie-in with Maersk on the Med was a logical progression for Safmarine. The Algeciras hub - with 2,5m containers a year throughput - runs extremely well.
And the opportunities for us are the additional feeders into the Med, and the fact that we are able to control the whole leg.
Volumes on the route continue their static performance with exports showing signs of improvement, but imports at a low ebb.
Med watchers are however hopeful that September/October will see an upturn in import volumes with a peaceful election encouraging business confidence on the back of lower interest rates.
They're also optimistic that rationalisation of services will help efforts to firm up rates.
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