June 24 - Canada States Africa Line (CSAL) is adding Charleston to the port rotation for its bulk, breakbulk and ro-ro service between North America and southern Africa.

The regular foreign ports of call are Walvis Bay in Namibia, as well as Durban, Richards Bay and Cape Town in South Africa. Ports in other African nations are supported on an inducement basis.

CSAL uses a fleet of three multi-purpose ships with a stern ramp and heavy lift gear for bulk, break-bulk, rolling stock, heavy lift and oversize cargoes. Two CSAL vessels - Atlantic Eland and Atlantic Impala have already called at the Veterans Terminal at the Port of Charleston and the next sailing is scheduled for the middle of August.

From July to May, breakbulk, ro-ro and bulk business at public docks in South Carolina increased more than 44 percent to 883,675 tonne.

The Port of Charleston welcomes CSAL and its new service, said Brad Stroble, the South Carolina Ports Authority's sales and marketing manager for bulk, breakbulk and project cargo. There are significant opportunities to grow breakbulk, bulk and ro-ro business in South Carolina."

With three dedicated non-container terminals, excellent oversize rail clearance inland, substantial lay-down areas, skilled labour and mobile lifting capacity up to 500 tons, South Carolina's ports offer tremendous capabilities.

We look forward to serving accounts through the Port of Charleston and building a solid base of cargo, said CSAL line manager Eugene Nutovych. Our vessels are very flexible, giving us the opportunity to handle just about any shipment.