Saf signs order to replace ‘Big Whites’

SAFMARINE HAS signed an order for two larger, faster vessels to operate on the Southern Africa Europe Container Service (SAECS) for delivery in January 2005. This follows the announcement in May 2003 that the members of the weekly, named-day SAECS service would replace the existing core service vessels with new-built tonnage. The new Safmarine ‘Big Whites’ will be purpose-built for this trade with an increase in capacity to align with the new vessel deployment. They will be equipped with plugs capable of accepting integral reefer containers, replacing the current blown air (Conair) reefer system. According to Safmarine’s liner director, Ivan Heesom-Green, the purchase will meet the future needs of the expanding customer base on this core trade. The new ‘Big Whites’ will be built at A.P Moller Group’s Lind¿ shipyard in Denmark.