February 15, 2008 marked the start of an historical year for multi-trade shipping line Safmarine when the company named the first of nine new ships scheduled for delivery in 2008. Seven of the nine are Safmarine-owned vessels, while two are on long-term charter.

According to Safmarine CEO, Ivan Heesom-Green:

'This year's ambitious fleet expansion program - the largest in the history of Safmarine ' has been made possible by the good support of our customers. Not only has their support allowed us to invest in new tonnage, in order to meet demands for increased container capacity, but also to operate our vessel fleet in a more fuel-efficient manner.'

Hull 466, the Safmarine Ngami, was named at Germany's Volkswerft Stralsund Shipyard by its godmother Mrs. Bj'rg Johansen, wife of Mr. 'smund Johansen, Managing Director and Chairman of Aseco AB, Norway.

Mrs. Johansen named the ship, resplendently dressed in Norwegian national costume, in three languages - her native Norwegian, German and English.

Aseco has, under the leadership of 'smund Johansen, been a long-time partner of Safmarine. The company was, for decades, the Agency Representative of Safmarine; today it is a strong forwarding customer.

The new vessel's name was inspired by Lake Ngami, a lake in Botswana, north of Africa's Kalahari Desert.

The Safmarine Ngami has a crew complement of 17. Senior officers are Captain Nigel Golder (Master), Chief Engineer Stewart Marshall, Chief Officer Louise Angel and Second Engineer, Karl Walter.

The new vessel will enter into service following the completion of sea trails.

Specification:
Length: 210.54 m
Breadth: 29.80 m
Deadweight: 33,915 dwt
Service Speed: 22.10 kn
Container Capactiy: 2,474 teu