Multipurpose shipping line AAL has ended its partnership with Gastaldi Group in Italy and appointed Genovese shipping firm Hugo Trumpy as its new representative there.

Eike Muentz, AAL’s European general manager, explained: “Italy is a strong market for breakbulk and project cargo and well served by our new Europe to Asia liner service and tramp chartering options east and westbound through the region.

“However, after considering possible commercial conflicts of interest going forward, AAL and our existing representatives, the Gastaldi Group, have made a joint decision to terminate our agreement.”

Muentz said Hugo Trumpy “knows the sector we serve extremely well and is aligned with AAL’s commercial ambitions for the Italian market”.

Davide Zingariello joins the Genoa team as AAL’s owners’ representative, bringing with him 27 years of maritime experience in and around the Italian port – 14 of which involved working with heavy lift ships and multipurpose cargo handling.

AAL recently launched a monthly Europe–Middle East/India–Asia liner service, which calls at ports including Antwerp (Belgium), Porto Marghera (Italy), Jebel Ali (UAE), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Mumbai (India), Singapore, Shanghai, Tianjin (China) and Masan (South Korea).

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