Shipping line expands African services

ZIM Integrated Services is expanding its services to Takoradi along Ghana’s west coast, serving the port from South Africa by transhipment from Tema, Ghana. “Our business has increased despite new competition on the routes we service,” says new foreign managing director, Slava Liskovich. The line has seen a “considerable increase” in project cargo into West Africa and reefer business to the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, he said. ZIM now has a strong South African presence in West Africa, with Rhett van Zyl, a former South African managing director, appointed as managing director of the office in Lagos, Nigeria. “His presence in Nigeria has facilitated smooth communication and opened the door to new business ventures in the region,” says Liskovich. Significant improvements to the port of Apapa in Lagos have brought about shorter container clearing times, he added. “This is also supporting our growth in the region as forwarders and consignees have already started exploring the advantages of calling at Apapa instead of Tin-Can Island Port which is in close proximity,” he said. ZIM is constantly looking at expansion of its services to other destinations, he added, having recently introduced services from South Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. “We’re expecting to increase our business on this trade route and to further develop other areas in 2014, including intra-Africa and Africa-Asia routes.” INSERT & CAPTION Significant improvements to the port of Apapa in Lagos have brought about shorter container clearing times. – Slava Liskovisch CAPTION The Port of Takoradi in Ghana handled 19% of the country’s imports and 66% of exports in 2012 according to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Photo: Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority