RICKMERS TO REVISE RTW MULTIPURPOSE SERVICE IN APRIL

RICKMERS TO REVISE RTW MULTIPURPOSE SERVICE IN APRIL    Rickmers-Linie, the Hamburg-based multipurpose, project and heavy-lift cargo shipping line, plans to change its multipurpose service in April, with the introduction of new ships.
   The shipping line has taken delivery of the “Rickmers Singapore,” the third of nine “superflex heavy multipurpose” vessels being built in China for Rickmers-Linie.
   The “Rickmers Singapore” set off on its maiden voyage from Shanghai on Jan. 11, joining the company’s round-the-world service.
   Rickmers-Linie now plans to convert the current round-the-world service into a revised “pearl string service” in April, when further ships in the series become available.
   The future service “will differ from the existing round-the-world service in that transit times will be shorter and there will be a much stricter adherence to the sailing schedule,” the shipping line said.
   The current service calls at ports of Asia, the Caribbean, the U.S. Gulf and East coast, and at port of north Europe.
   The new multipurpose ships have a nominal container capacity of 1,888 TEUs, but they are designed primarily to carry project cargo.
   In a separate development, Rickmers-Linie has appointed Gerhard Janssen as general manager, marketing and sales. Janssen will be responsible for the worldwide sales network and work on the launch of the “pearl string service.”