Increased export (northbound) volumes experienced. Multi-trade carrier Safmarine is pleased to announce that, effective last week October 2001, In line with it's plans to expand its reach and grow its coverage, the 2063 teu capacity containership Safmarine Tugela will replace the smaller Safmarine Nolizwe(1400 teu) in the America Express Container Services between Southern Africa and the United States and Canada.
A second ship Safmarine Infanta will also be replaced with a larger vessel during December 2001 and a further announcement in this regard will be made in due course.

Safmarine offers its customers a named day, weekly express container service for general purpose and reefer cargo on the route. Ports served are Durban - Port Elizabeth - Cape Town - New York (with relay to Halifax, Montreal and Toronto) - Baltimore - Newport News (with relay to Oakland, Long Beach and Portland) - Charleston (with relay to Savannah) - Freeport (with relay to Miami, Houston. New Orleans, Vera Cruz and Altamira).

Safmarine's Trade Manager Duncan Mackintosh commented :-

" The new vessel represents a substantial increase in capacity for both general purpose and integral reefer containers. Safmarine is leading the way in responding to demand for increased export capacity from Southern Africa and we greatly appreciate the confidence expressed by our customers in Safmarine's unique way of doing business. "

Safmarine's America Express Container Services also operate weekly between Australasia and North America as well as between the Indian Ocean Islands and North America.

Specifications : Safmarine Tugela

Built : 1995

Length overall :188,03 metres

Beam : 30,32 metres

DWT : 30.743 tonnes

Draft : 11,5 metres

GRT : 23,691 tonnes

NRT : 10,430 tonnes

Class : GL + 100 A 5 E

Nominal teu capacity : 2063

Reefer plugs : 271

Speed : 21.5 knots

Note to editors

Safmarine, which is a separately-managed member of the Danish A.P. Moller Group, markets its liner shipping services separately from those of sister-company Maersk Sealand.