UNI-FEEDER has upgraded slot capacity on its Durban-Mozambique service with effect from this month.
The Durban-based line will introduce to the service its two 12 500 dwt 420 TEU Mercator class vessels Pongola and Umgeni to replace the current Pharos and Kairos which have served the trade since its inception in 1992.
According to line manager Liam McKenzie the introduction of increased slots on the weekly service to and from Maputo and Beira is aimed to coincide with the shortly anticipated seasonal increase in cargo volumes from Beira.
As the most established, regular and reliable operator out of Beira we are committed to providing our customers with the service they require, says McKenzie. The timeous introduction of larger and faster tonnage will ensure the upliftment of an additional 100 TEU per week from Beira with the retention of the current guaranteed seven day frequency. Commenting on the forthcoming Zimbabwean tobacco export season, McKenzie added that recent negotiations with the Mozambican port and rail authority CFM were hoped to result in a favourable tariffing structure being implemented with effect from August 1. This could result in a greater percentage than anticipated of the commodity being shipped from Beira as opposed to overborder haulage for packing to South Africa.
Umgeni was scheduled to phase into Uni-feeder departing Durban this week (August 7) with Pongola scheduled to enter the service on August 21.
Uni-feeder will continue to accept breakbulk and project cargoes on application. The two vessels in addition offer a comfortable passenger service for a limited number of people.
