SAFDAL line to be closed

摘要

The 11-year marketing joint venture between Safmarine and Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL) in the Europe/southern Africa trade is to be dissolved. According to a joint statement, the termination will take place on October 31, 2008, and it reflects each company's desire to be more flexible, develop better brand visibility and be able to offer its customers a wider range of services. All rates and contracts quoted by SAFDAL which extend beyond the October 31, deadline will be fully honoured by the lines. While the two carriers will hope that the new arrangements will lead to them moving more cargo, at this time there are no plans to change DAL's and Safmarine's slot allocations within the SAECS vessel sharing agreement.