Two members of the Famous Pacific Shipping network are cooperating to expand their portfolio of forwarding services in the niche trade between the UK and Mauritius. UK forwarder and NVOCC operator F.S. Mackenzie (FSM) is working with Mauritius shipping group, Somatrans to develop scheduled weekly services to the main port of Port Louis, for both LCL and FCL cargoes. Explained FSM's Managing Director, Alfred Stienen: "Mauritius, at little more than 700 square miles, is one of the fastest-expanding economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. F.S. Mackenzie expects trade to continue to expand this year, based on strong trends last year. Forecasts are for growth in Mauritius' GDP at about 5% for 2004.