... and hints at increased
frequency soon
THE FRENCH liner operator Unishipping has just period chartered the former Safmarine multi-purpose ship, the Agulhas, according to Alan Ainscow of SA marketing agents, Bolton Maritime.
The charter arrangement had to be rushed through, he told FTW, as the previous intended charter vessel proved too small for the cargo volumes booked on the new service.
We had the Express Orient in mind, said Ainscow, but went way over tonnage, and had to charter in the larger vessel.
It neatly matches the response to the launch of the service - which is way beyond our expectations.
The Agulhas, sailing under her new line colours, is due in Durban at the start of its monthly service today (November 10) - then following the port rotation of Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Savannah, Port Canaveral, Houston and Vera Cruz.
Given the initial booking volume, Ainscow hints that increased frequency might soon be on the cards.
Bolton Maritime, meantime, has enhanced its marketing and sales function with the appointment of Astrid Grimbeek, a familiar face in the Gauteng shipping industry after her six year stint with previous line, Safmarine.
We basically appointed her because of her knowledge of breakbulk shipping on the US trade, said Ainscow. That and the fact that she is well known and respected by the Johannesburg community.
Grimbeek will have a special focus on the marketing of the Unishipping SA-US Gulf and Mexico service.
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