The combination of the new service, and the returning fortnightly Intermediate Service, will result in the provision of weekly calls, provided by a total of seven vessels. Both services are specifically focused on accommodating the seasonal demands of reefer cargo during 2009.
Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns London Thamesport, commented:
“We are pleased to welcome both the new Reefer Express service and the return of the Intermediate Service to London Thamesport. We have always been committed to offering our customers the most convenient, reliable and efficient resources possible, and these services are an excellent boost to our current facilities.”
The first vessel on the Reefer Express Service will be the 1840 TEU San Andres. The four vessels deployed on the Intermediate Service are: the Orion, DAL East London, MOL Komati and Safmarine Mbashe, each with an approximate capacity of 1700 TEU.
The Reefer Express service will focus on four ports, with Cape Town as the sole South Africa loading port, and Lisbon, Antwerp and Thamesport as destination ports. The Intermediate service will have a total of 10 ports of call.
