ZIM Integrated Shipping
Services SA, which trades as
Polaris Shipping, has recently
re-introduced a new and
improved FAX service into
Durban.
The service has been
upgraded to weekly calls,
with 11 vessels offering
Southern African importers
what it is marketing as “fast
and efficient” transit times
from all major ports in the Far
East – with direct callings into
Shanghai, Ningbo, Dachanbay,
Singapore, Port Kelang and
Columbo.
The service also offers
importers a reliable
transhipment service from
the Middle East and India via
Columbo. For exporters to
West Africa, the new improved
weekly service offers direct
calls into Tin Can and Apapa,
Tema and Cotonou.
“Given congestion problems
at Durban’s main container
terminals,” said MD Rhett
van Zyl, “it was decided to put
our FAX service into Point
Terminals, as we have the
option to work both mobile
and ships’ gear. I have been
pleasantly surprised at the
service levels and co-operation
we have received from
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT)
management at Point – which
is critical in maintaining our
weekly schedule, as FAX has
windows in both the Far East
and West Africa.”
Another highlight of
the moment is that Polaris
celebrated its 40th anniversary
on October 2.
“The company started
as Cavalier Forwarding &
Clearing (Cape Town) on
October 2, 1972,” said Van Zyl.
“The name was changed to
SA Forwarding and Clearing
Corporation (Ships Agency),
better known as Safcor Ship,
on July 24, 1975, and then to
Polaris Shipping on November
17, 1980.
“In that time Polaris has
grown into one of the biggest
and most respected ships’
agencies in SA – handling not
only the vessels of its owners
, ZIM Lines, but a number
of other major breakbulk and
container lines.”
However, in about 2004,
Polaris decided to focus mainly
on ZIM and GSL business
and was rebranded as ZIM
Integrated Shipping Services
SA in June 2006.
The agency, with its head
office based in Durban, looks
after ZIM and GSL interests in
the Southern African region,
including the Indian Ocean
Islands.
CAPTION
Rhett van Zyl ... ‘pleasantly
surprised at TPT service levels.’
