MAERSK SEALAND, SAFBANK, MED SHIPPING END U.S./AFRICA SERVICE

MAERSK SEALAND, SAFBANK, MED SHIPPING END U.S./AFRICA SERVICE

   Maersk Sealand, SafBank and Mediterranean Shipping Co. have terminated one of their two direct joint services between the United States and southern Africa.

   The multipurpose service called at ports on the U.S. Gulf and East coasts and at ports in South Africa. The volume of breakbulk cargoes such as mining equipment and heavy machinery has declined in the U.S./South Africa trade, said Duncan McIntosh, trade manager of SafBank in South Africa.

   SafBank is a joint venture between the British shipping group Andrew Weir Shipping and Safmarine. Safmarine is a sister company of Maersk Sealand within the A.P. Moller group.

   Maersk Sealand, SafBank and Mediterranean Shipping Co. will continue their weekly U.S./southern Africa container service.

   McIntosh said SafBank will containerize certain commodities which had moved on the multipurpose ships and switch them to its container operation.

   The ending of the Maersk Sealand/SafBank/Mediterranean Shipping Co. service follows the recent expansion by Lykes Lines, a former vessel-sharing partner, of its own multipurpose operations in the trade.