Archive ( 08.02.05 )
INCREASING SHIPPING LINKS WITH WEST AFRICA
UK oil industry among targets for new regular service from Aberdeen Harbour
The shipment of a cargo of oilfield equipment from Aberdeen to West Africa this week marks the harbour's inclusion as a direct port-of-call on an established service operated by Safmarine.
The Safmarine Bata arrived today (Tuesday 8 February), at the deep-water Pacific Wharf where the consignment, mainly steel pipes, is being loaded, with the vessel expected to sail late tonight.
Aberdeen Harbour Board Chief Executive, Barclay Braithwaite, said: "Shipping connections between Aberdeen and West Africa are a very important link in the offshore oil and gas industry's export drive.
"The port is established as the UK marshalling point for equipment and materials en route to-and-from the region and this additional service will facilitate further development of growing markets there."
Safmarine's OPEX (Oil Ports EXpress) service between Europe and West Africa operates with four vessels, with calls at Aberdeen scheduled for 18-day intervals en route to Antwerp, Lisbon, Bata, Malabo, Onne, Warri, Port Gentil, Sao Tome, Luba and Douala.
It will also provide opportunities at Antwerp to trans-ship cargoes to-and-from Lobito, Malongo, Cabinda, Soyo, Banana, Matadi and Boma on Safmarine's ACE (Europe-Angola-Congo Express) service, as well as for trans-shipment worldwide.
Safmarine, a multi-trade ship owner and operator, is part of MaerskSealand, the largest container carrier in the world.
Rod Palmer, Operations Director of Searoute Port Services, the Aberdeen agents for Safmarine, said: "The frequency of the scheduled service for container and general cargo will assist the oil industry in its forward planning and in developing its markets throughout West Africa. The two-way traffic will include returned oilfield equipment and the potential for other cargoes is being investigated."
Reith Still, Trade Growth Director at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, commented: "I congratulate the Harbour Board and Safmarine on this development and welcome the introduction of this service, which further underlines Aberdeen as the hub for oil and gas service companies in the UK.
"As we run the UK West Africa Action Group, a business support mechanism for companies looking to develop there, we are well aware of the tremendous opportunities in that part of the world, as a major long-term market for those servicing the offshore and deep-water sector."
/Ends
Further information on Safmarine can be viewed on www.safmarine.com
|
