Safmarine Takes Delivery of New MPV

Safmarine history when the company took delivery of a new Multi Purpose Vessel (MPV) on Oct. 22. The 18 000 dwt (1,052 TEU) Safmarine Sumba is Safmarine's first new MPV vessel since it became a member of the A.P Moller-Maersk Group more than 11 years ago.

It is also the first of six new MPV vessels to be delivered to Safmarine between 2011- 2012/3. Safmarine purchased two MPV vessels, the Safmarine Sumba and her sister vessel, while they were under construction at the Jiangsu Sugang Shipbuilding in China.

A further four new MPV builds, on order to Safmarine, are also being built at the Wuhu Shipyard in China.

According to Safmarine's Head of MPV, Grant Daly, "Safmarine's investment in this new tonnage is a clear indication of our long-term commitment to the breakbulk trade to West Africa."

Safmarine currently offers six regular MPV services linking West Africa with Europe, Asia, North America and South Africa. Direct calls are made at more than 60 ports on Safmarine's MPV services, which accommodate the full range of cargoes, including containers, breakbulk cargoes (principally cocoa and coffee)/neo-bulk (timber, steel), project modules and oil and gas-related cargoes.

The new, owned vessel joins Safmarine's existing MPV fleet of 14 chartered vessels.