THERE'S A new breakbulk option for seafreight cargo on the Black Sea - South Africa route following the recent launch of a liner tramp service by Greece-based KMS Lines, which is part of the KMS Group headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.
Agents for the service in South Africa are Bolton Maritime in Johannesburg, headed up by Alan Ainscow.
The monthly service operates from the Black Sea to East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Beira), Durban, West Africa (Tema, Lome, Cotonou, Douala) and return to Black Sea. Other ports of call along the route will be considered on inducement.
Three vessels operate the service, the 8700 dwt sister ships Stefan Karadia and Zahari Stoyanov. The Vasil Levski is slightly bigger at 15 500 dwt.
They are geared for bagged, palletised, unitised cargo like steel which has already featured on their manifests.
According to Ainscow demand for the service southbound has been overwhelming so far. Every vessel has been chock-a-block, carrying mostly steel and fertilisers. Port agents for the service in Durban are Bonship Maritime.
