Transatlantic celebrates 100 years

THERE ARE not too many centenarians in the SA shipping industry, which makes the 100th anniversary of Transatlantic Southern Africa Services particularly significant.
The line has been plying the route between Sweden and South Africa since September 24, 1904 when the Kratos made its first voyage from Gothenburg to Cape Town for the Swedish-South Africa Line, later to become the Transatlantic Shipping Company.
The idea was born when a young Swedish seaman, Wilhelm Lundgren, visited South Africa in the latter part of the 19th century and noticed sawn timber from Sweden in the ports. It was his vision that led to the launch of a direct liner service from Sweden, which has played a significant role in the development of bilateral trade as the growing export-orientated Swedish and Scandinavian industries made use of the service to establish themselves in southern Africa.
The line currently operates a fixed day weekly service between South Africa and Scandinavian ports, using modern tonnage tailor-made to the needs of the shipper.