... but Big Whites will continue for some time, writes Alan Peat
DECISIONS ON the future fleet configuration of SAECS (SA Europe Container Service) are currently under review, according to senior management of member line Safmarine. Lines bank on a two to three year lead time for new vessels.
"Future fleet configuration will be driven by market demand and by the future needs of our customers," FTW was told.
The line anticipates that its "Big Whites" will form an integral part of its transport solutions for a number of years to come (there has been unconfirmed talk of 2004 being an important break-point date). There are seven of this type of vessel in the fleet - all homogenous, and differing only in cosmetic details like colour scheme, and number of funnels. These 3 000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) ships were all custom-built for the consortium's Europe-SA trade in 1977/78 and, certainly in Safmarine's case, meticulously maintained.
But, while the original market research showed that the vessels should have some 25% of their TEU capacity allocated to the conair (ducted air) reefer container systems - and this has served the lines well for over two decades - the times they are a-changing. New market demands are now tending to over-ride the previous supremacy of the conair box.
But the promised extra life for the "Great Whites" would seem to imply that conair containers (commonly referred to as "porthole" boxes) will continue for some time. "However," Safmarine told FTW, "you must remember that this will be in tandem with the growing provision of integral reefer containers since there is still a requirement for both types of equipment."
There has however already been some considerable change in that original single fleet of seven ships even before the replacement programme has to be finally decided.
Safmarine and its SAECS partners have significantly increased sailing frequency in the trade lanes between Southern Africa and UK/North Europe.
The single fleet has now been expanded to two, currently of six vessels each.
"The introduction of a second weekly service or "string", calling at main ports, has enabled us to create new growth opportunities for the export of perishable produce in integral reefer containers," Safmarine told FTW.
"At the same time, we have been able to address the requirements of other buoyant areas of the economy, notably the motor vehicle industry.
"Subsequent increase of vessel size has led to further growth, a process that is expected to continue."
