NYK, NileDutch in new Asia/Africa service

NYK, NileDutch in new Asia/Africa service    NYK and NileDutch on Monday announced a new direct service between Asia, South Africa and West Africa.
   The service will operate twice a month between the ports of Shanghai and Shekou in China, and Singapore in Asia and Durban in South Africa, Lome in Togo, Tema in Ghana and Lagos in Nigeria. Both companies will deploy two vessels of 2,200 to 2,700 TEUs of nominal intake.
   The service will commence on June 17 with Commodore's arrival in Shanghai.
   'This new service is being introduced to support the huge inward investment by our Asian customers in West Africa, built upon growing demands of African consumers,” said Yasunobo Suzuki, NYK Group Europe's Liner Division senior trade director. “It will also provide a direct service for African exporters to Asia.'
   Jan-Willem de Braal, NileDutch's director of liner services, said the service will further support the market's recognition of the company’s role in West Africa and better service range for its customers.”
   This service is the first joint venture for NYK and NileDutch and it marks a return to West Africa for NYK. NileDutch said it will be expanding its presence in West Africa in addition to its current Asia/Angola service.