Safmarine to bring on new vessels next year

JOY ORLEK SEVERAL NEW ships will enter service for Safmarine early next year, but where they will be deployed is still to be decided. Africa region manager Alan Jones told FTW in Johannesburg last week that the line had already adjusted its services to cater for growing volumes from China and the subcontinent, in particular India. “We’ve increased capacity on services from India to Europe and the US by bringing on bigger vessels rather than additional tonnage, and continue to review our fleet options on a regular basis.” Also under constant review is ship scheduling, and here priority berthing has provided significant benefits. A few months ago Safmarine secured priority slots at Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban, the ports varying from trade to trade. “While it would be preferable to have the option at every port on every trade, we are satisfied that it’s contributed positively to schedule integrity.” It’s all part of the line’s efficiency drive, which translates into improved service delivery for the customer and ultimately cost savings. “Demurrage and detention charges also contribute to our costs – maximising equipment is the key. If everyone was more efficient, our costs and consequently the customers’ costs would be lower and that’s the kind of win-win situation we’re trying to promote.”