Two associated stevedoring companies - Macrae Marine Services of Durban and Cape Town-based Maq Marine Services have combined forces to open up in Port Elizabeth.
The move to Port Elizabeth follows the award of a contract to the companies to undertake the stevedoring of containers on Mitsui OSK and P&O Nedlloyd Safari vessels.
Macrae recently celebrated its 10th year of operation. It supplies a range of specialist services including container stevedoring, lashing and securing of steel and other cargoes inside containers, stevedoring of car carriers, passenger baggage handling, tally and wharf supervision, and surveying and cargo consultancy.
Maq opened in Cape Town in January 1996 to provide a container stevedoring, tally and passenger baggage handling service. The two companies will share resources to offer similar services in Port Elizabeth.
The Port Elizabeth operation is being managed by Captain Cliff Bragg, who is also responsible for the total coastal operation coverage for shipping companies.
Formerly container terminal manager for a national shipping company, Captain Bragg has over 35 years experience in stevedoring and container operations at SA ports. He sees great growth potential for operations in the Port Elizabeth harbour, saying that a number of new contracts being negotiated by various shipping companies to use the harbour would bring a welcome boost to the local economy.
Macrae Marine Services has also handled the passenger baggage for Starlight Cruises since its commencement and sees the growth of this market as another expansion area.
By Ed Richardson
Stevedoring company packs into PE
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