SAFMARINE ENTERS U.S./SOUTH AMERICA TRADE

SAFMARINE ENTERS U.S./SOUTH AMERICA TRADE    Antwerp-based Safmarine, a sister company of Maersk Sealand, has decided to enter the container trade between North America and South America.
   Safmarine will initially provide service via a vessel-sharing agreement operated jointly with Maersk Sealand and other carriers between the U.S. East Coast and the East Coast of South America.
   Safmarine said it intends to enter the inter-Americas trade “to better serve its multitrade clients and to provide a platform on which to expand its client base.” Full details will be announced later, the carrier said. The start of the service is likely to be at the end of September, subject to FMC approval.
   Safmarine is already active in South America as it provides a service between the East Coast of South America and Europe, again within joint services with Maersk Sealand.
   Earlier this month, Safmarine, Maersk Sealand, P&O Nedlloyd, Oceanica, Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, Libra, Hamburg-Sud, Columbus Line, Crowley American Transport and Alianca Navegacao e Logistica filed a vessel-sharing agreement with the U.S. Federal Commission relating to the U.S./East Coast of South America trade.