KEVIN MAYHEW IN A move to augment its strong presence in West Africa, Hull Blyth, the biggest independent ships agency in West Africa, has opened a dedicated office in Durban – its first in South Africa. Heading up the South African operation is country manager, Leigh Walker, who was based in Ghana and Nigeria for five years prior to the posting back to Durban where he is well known. With the announcement came the additional news that Asiatic Shipping would be using Durban as a transhipment hub for its Luanda, Matadi, Point Noire and Libreville cargo. “The Asiatic Shipping vessels began arriving earlier this month and now move from Belawan to P. Kelang in Malaysia to Durban and on to Lagos and finally Tema in Nigeria before returning from Tema via Durban and back to Belawan,” he explained. The three vessels plying the route will be carrying 900 TEUs and there is a vast feeder network to the major East and West African ports. The frequency will be 20 days. Walker said the blue chip name of Hull Blyth – which has been in existence for 150 years – provides it with a major platform from which to develop its ship’s agency business in South Africa through Durban.
