MACS makes its mark in Walvis

RAY SMUTS
RETURNING TO the Namibian port of Walvis Bay every two weeks is much like coming home for the crews of MACS - Maritime Carrier Shipping - such are the ship to shore relationships that have been garnered in recent years.
“We are very confident about Namibia and have every intention of staying,” says Marc Frauendorf, MACS’ Namibia area manager based in Cape Town.
The line has been a regular caller at Walvis Bay for just on three years. Vessels on its European service previously went direct to Cape Town, but added a Walvis Bay call when it became apparent there was sufficient cargo available for Namibia.
when Namport increased the draught to more than 12 metres it also became accessible for the line’s vessels.
Owned by the Scheder-Bieschin family of Germany, five of MACS’ 10-vessel fleet is deployed on the European service from Northwest Continent, the UK and Iberian Peninsula to southern Africa.
“We serve Hamburg, Immingham (UK), Antwerp, Rotterdam and Vigo and then carry straight onto Walvis Bay (11 days transit from Vigo), Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Richards Bay and Maputo,” explains Frauendorf.
MACS vessels are multi-purpose, between 25 500 and 31 000dwt, and carry bulk cargo in lower holds, a mix of breakbulk, bulk and containers
in tween decks and containers and project
cargo on deck.
Each sailing into Namibia carries around 2000mts of all kinds of general cargoes including reefer. Vessels are each equipped with about 50 reefer plug points.
Cape Town is MACS’ African head office responsible for all northbound business while Hamburg controls all southbound business. The line is represented in Namibia by Manica with offices in Walvis Bay, Luderitz and Windhoek.
That MACS enjoys the most cordial of relations with Namport is evident from Frauendorf’s observation: “Namport provides the best example of how proactive a port like Walvis Bay can be.”
As to the oft-dreaded question of further rates hikes, he points out this is a global trend of which MACS forms part so cargo owners must expect that increases are inevitable.