Archive ( 02.06.05 )
UAL VESSELS HIGHLIGHT ABERDEN HARBOUR'S KEY ROLE IN OIL-RELATED EXPORTS TO WEST AFRICA
The loading of two Universal Africa Lines (UAL) vessels at Aberdeen Harbour this week highlights the port's key role as the UK centre for the export of oilfield equipment and supplies in support of expanding offshore industry activity in West Africa.
Aberdeen's hub function is reinforced by UAL's long-term global service contracts with operating companies which include the shipment of equipment from Europe to Africa.
UAL has been servicing the offshore industry in West Africa for 25 years and calling at Aberdeen for more than four years.
Haakon Roestad, UAL's Director International Business Development, said: "Previously, cargo was feedered or trucked to European ports for shipment to West Africa. UAL saw the opportunity for a direct service from Aberdeen without transhipment at a Continental port.
"The intensity of industry activity in West Africa and USA companies' involvement in the region have significantly increased the tempo and the market will remain strong, with the potential for growth in traffic at Aberdeen. We service all the major operators, as well as a number of contractors, in West Africa and, given an increase in demand, we would expand our sailings accordingly."
The 10,500 dwt Rebecca berthed at Pacific Quay today (Thursday) to load 2,700 cubic metres of equipment and supplies and will be followed on Saturday by the 9,000 dwt UAL Rodach, expected to load 2,800 cubic metres.
Typical export cargoes carried by UAL include drill pipe and materials; steel structures; specialised vehicles; hoses, umbilical cords and cables; safety equipment; camp equipment and supplies; and oversized and extra length cargoes.
Return cargoes to Aberdeen include anchor chains, mooring equipment, rental tools, empty reels and containers.
Shipments to-and-from Norway are also handled via Aberdeen, reflecting the port's role in the marshalling and forwarding of international cargoes.
Harbour Board Operations Director & Harbour Master, Captain Colin Parker, said: "The port's capacity and strategic role in marshalling and shipping these cargoes for West Africa facilitate and complement the successes of UK companies - many of them from the North-east - in winning export orders."
The Rebecca will deliver her cargo to Lobito, Luanda and Soyo in Angola, and Point Noir, in the Congo on UAL's Southern service, while the UAL Rodach is sailing to Port Harcourt/Onne in Nigeria, Malabo, in Equatorial Guinea, and Port Gentil, in Gabon, on the Northern service.
UAL calls twice a month at Aberdeen where their handling/terminal operating company are Nor-Cargo. Kestrel Liner Agencies are UAL's UK agents.
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