NEW MAURITIAN LINE STARTS EUROPE/INDIAN OCEAN SERVICE

NEW MAURITIAN LINE STARTS EUROPE/INDIAN OCEAN SERVICE    A new Mauritian-owned line called “La Ligne Ocean Indien,” or The Indian Ocean Line, has commenced operations between Northern Europe and the Indian Ocean, serving mainly Madagascar.
   The line owns one vessel, the multipurpose “Yucatan,” which will complete a round voyage every 10 to 12 weeks. In addition, southbound one-way trip charters improve the frequency in that direction to 5 to 6 weeks, and hopefully every 3 to 4 weeks before long, said Eric Adriaenssens of Antwerp agents Boeckmans Belgie, who represent the line.
   Antwerp is the primary port in Europe, to be joined by Rouen soon, and other ports subject to inducement. Madagascan main destination ports are Tulear, Majunga, Diego Suarez, and Tamatave, said Adriaenssens, with Port Louis, Mauritius, and Pointe des Galets, Reunion, in a secondary capacity. Wayport calls between Walvis Bay and Dar-es-Salaam will also be considered, he said.
   Northbound cargo for the Yucatan would be attractive from a similar range of ports in South and East Africa, he said.
   The Indian Ocean Line has an owner’s representative office in Paris. Ship management for the Yucatan is contracted in Belgium.