South African shipping group Safmarine aims to further diversify its activities in South America this year, and build on a successful 2008 serving the region.
The group plans to grow its South American volumes by increasing the variety of perishable cargo, the number of customers it serves and the destinations it offers, reveals reefer marketing (Europe) Marc Rooms.
“Our aim is to work with our South American reefer customers to expand the market for South American reefer exports,” he told Fruitnet. “Our reliable hubs in Algeciras, Gioia Tauro, Rotterdam and Bremerhaven provide access to a number of important markets.”
Safmarine currently ships large volumes of seasonal fruit, among other perishable commodities, from the South American region to a number of destinations around the world, but principally to West Africa, Europe and the Arabian Gulf.
“Safmarine is active in a number of reefer trades from the east coast of South America,” Mr Rooms said. “As a member of the vast AP Moller-Maersk Group network, we are able to offer our customers access to a wide range of departure ports in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Because we offer a number of shipping services, we’re able to provide reefer exporters with a regular, quality service.”
Safmarine expects its South America-Europe reefer volumes for 2009 to remain more or less the same as last year. The group also expects South American reefer export volumes to Asia and Middle East to hold, particularly apple exports as they are currently doing well in Asian markets, according to Mr Rooms.
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