PASSENGER TRAVEL aboard cargo ships is increasing in popularity, a fact not lost on Safmarine which has upgraded yet another of its containerships, the 34 000 ton SA Vaal, to carry passengers.
This increases the number of Safmarine vessels equipped to carry passengers to eight while the inclusion of a further two is currently being considered.
The upgrade of the SA Vaal, deployed on the SA - Far East route, means that ten passengers will be able to enjoy ports of call which include Singapore, Hong Kong and several in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
Richard Warnes, northern region public relations manager for Safmarine and CMBT Lines, says there is evidence of a growing number of people who do not want to be associataed with the pressures of cruise ships, showing a preference instead for the more relaxed mode of cargo ship travel.
The only problem is that there are too few cargo ships, probably only about 50 worldwide, which have cabins converted for passenger use.
Daily per person cost aboard Safmarine's vessels is around R600.
By Ray Smuts
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