Safmarine adds Sharjah on Gulf-East Africa loop

Safmarine adds Sharjah on Gulf-East Africa loop    Shipping line Safmarine said this week it is adding a call at Sharjah to its service between East Africa and the Persian Gulf beginning June 9.
   The line's Masiika Express service will have a rotation of Sharjah, Jebel Ali, Salalah, Dar es Salaam, Mombassa, Salalah and Sharjah. The service, a joint Maersk Line and Safmarine loop, is operated with 2,500-TEU vessels. Capacity won't be adjusted with the rotation change.
   Safmarine, a subsidiary of Maersk, said the new call will open direct connections for Sharjah to Dar es Salaam and Mombassa.
   'Sharjah is currently served via feeder to Jebel Ali, and a direct call will allow Safmarine to further improve on the service we're currently offering our growing customer base in the Gulf and Africa,' said Jan Scheck, Safmarine liner executive. The first call at Sharjah will be made June 9 by the vessel, ER Elsfleth.