New East Africa service launched

Middle East based Simatech Shipping, together with Evergreen and Wanhai launched a joint container service namely, East Africa (EAF) Service linking the Indian Subcontinent and East Africa, effective from May 12, 2010. For this service, all three lines have deployed one vessel each with a carrying capacity of 1200 TEUs.

The unique and inimitable feature of this service is that it will turn back at Colombo and as a result, all exports from Indian Sub Continent and Far East for East Africa will be transshipped via Colombo. The inaugural vessel of the EAF service MV “Hansa Sonderberg” operated by Simatech, called at Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) on June 5, and handled over 800 moves.

It is expected to handle over 1000 moves per call at JCT. Simatech, Wanhai and Evergreen are exclusive customers of JCT and they have been patronizing JCT/SLPA for about twelve years now.

A ceremony was held on board the vessel MV “Hansa Sonderberg” in commemoration of the service’s inaugural call at the JCT of SLPA, on June 5. Plaques were exchanged between SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola and the Master of the vessel Capt. Denis Kozak in the presence of SLPA officials and Simatech Lanka Shipping, the local agent for MSC.