Ship’s agent provides range of critical data

Accurate “on the ground” news
of developments in the Angolan
economy can assist customers
to make business decisions by arming
them with the “where and when” data
needed for shipping.
The sea freight shipping agent
African Steamship Angola (www.hullblyth.
com) ensures that its customers
know such critical data as the wait
times for ships in port, industrial
activity and economic indicators.
Information about Angola can be
spotty, and exporters into the country
value timely and accurate guidance,
says Edgar Espinosa, managing
director of African Steamship Angola,
a member of the Hull Blyth Group.
“African Steamship appreciates
the distinction between the different
services required by our various
principals, which is why the ship’s
agency aspect of our business has been
split into three: liner agency (container
carriers), ro-ro (rolling cargo/vehicles,
project cargo) and general cargo
agency (bulk, product/chemicals),”
said Espinosa.
African Steamship Angola is
currently the agent for OACL (Ocean
Africa Container Lines), which serves
the ports of Luanda, Lobito and
Namibe.
“In addition to OACL, we also serve
other important entities based in South
Africa,” said Espinosa. “As container
carriers, we represent Hamburg Süd
and Maruba. With respect to ro-ro
freight, we are the Angolan agents for
the Daewoo service, which is managed
by the KTSL office in Durban. On the
bulk side of the business, we serve
Mainport Africa Shipping, also based
in Durban.
“Along with our South African
principals, we also represent a number
of other carriers from all regions of the
globe in the container, ro-ro, general
cargo and product/chemical market,”
he said.
To serve a country that has a
far-flung ports systems one capital
city headquarters isn’t enough, says
Espinosa, which is why the company
also has offices at the key ports and
oil/gas terminals of Lobito, Namibe,
Soyo, Malongo, Cabinda, Girassol,
Kuito, Lombo and Palanca.