October 25 - Safmarine has taken delivery of its first new multi purpose vessel (MPV) - Safmarine Sumba - since becoming a member of the AP Moller-Maersk Group more than eleven years ago.
The new vessel is the first of six new MPVs to be delivered to Safmarine between 2011 - 2013 and joins the line's existing MPV fleet of 14 chartered vessels.
Safmarine purchased two MPV vessels, Safmarine Sumba and her sister vessel, while they were under construction at the Jiangsu Sugang Shipbuilding in China.
Another four new MPV builds, on order to Safmarine, are being built at the Wuhu Shipyard in China.
According to Safmarine's head of MPV, Grant Daly, the shipping line's investment in this new tonnage is a clear indication of its long-term commitment to the breakbulk trade to West Africa.
Safmarine currently offers six regular MPV services linking West Africa with Europe, Asia, North America and South Africa, with direct calls at more than 60 ports on Safmarine's MPV services' which accommodate the full range of cargoes, including containers, breakbulk cargoes (principally cocoa and coffee)/neo-bulk (timber, steel), project modules and oil and gas-related cargoes.
