Hapag-Lloyd keen on Africa

Hapag-Lloyd keen on Africa    Hapag-Lloyd said it is increasing its focus on North-South trades.
   The company made the statement as it announced it would start a new service to West Africa linking Dakar, Senegal and Tema, Ghana with Hamburg, Amsterdam and Southampton at the end of the year.
   Two vessels — becoming available from fleet cascading — each capable of carrying about 800 standard containers will be deployed, offering departures every 16 days.
   Each unit will have 100 reefer plugs. Transhipment possibilities will be offered from Dakar and Tema to other ports in West Africa.
   Hapag-Lloyd said it had traditionally focused on the main East-West routes, but is now stepping up its presence on North-South routes, particularly services with Africa. It has just started a service to South Africa and offers a further link between the U.S. East Coast and West Africa.
   Hapag-Lloyd is represented in West Africa by Sumaco at Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Somicoa of Dakar, Senegal; and Blue Funnel in Apapa, Nigeria and Tema, Ghana.