UAL launches direct Nigeria call

As it celebrates the end of its first year in SA, Universal Africa Lines (UAL), the specialist shipping line to the West African oil and gas fields, has opened a direct shipping route to Nigeria. This makes UAL- SA the first breakbulk shipping service from SA to call directly on Nigeria, according to MD Haakon RØstad. “Previously the line’s ships dotted down in Durban, Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Lobito, Luanda (Sonils), Soyo, Pointe Noire, Port Gentil, Malabo, and Onne (Port Harcourt). “Now Nigeria’s main port at Lagos joins the list.” The line's customers are from industries as diverse as steel, paper, explosives, heavy equipment manufacturing, construction material and chemicals. “Their numbers have increased sufficiently over 12 months to provide a solid basis for growth, starting with the Nigerian connection,” said RØstad. The first direct sailing to Nigeria will be at the end of this month (May), starting in Durban and calling on Cape Town and Walvis Bay before sailing into Apapa harbour, Lagos, 12 days later. The route will operate every three weeks.