New operator for SAFWAF service

Cape Town-based shipping

and freight logistics group,

Fairseas International, has

taken over SafmarineMPV’s

South Africa to West

Africa (SAFWAF) service,

with immediate effect.

Fairseas managing

director, Liam Mckenzie,

told FTW that the

other SafmarineMPV

services would remain

part of the multipurpose

operator’s offering. “We

are only taking over the

SAFWAF service and will

use chartered vessels on this

route,” he said.

Mackenzie added: “The

acquisition is an exceptional

opportunity to build on an

already well-established

trade brand.”

The service will operate

as SAFWAF MPV and,

according to Mckenzie,

will remain unchanged and

uninterrupted with the same

management, staff, local

agents – Socopao, offices and

service offering. The next

scheduled voyage remains

the beginning of March,

departing from Durban.

The service continues to

offer a six-weekly frequency

calling Durban, Cape Town

and Walvis Bay on the

southern African coast,

with direct calls at Boma,

Matadi, Pointe Noire,

Sonils and inducement calls

at various ports en route,

including Port Gentil.

CAPTION

The SafmarineMPV vessel, Sahel, was deployed on the West Africa service.