20000328

Safmarine to operate

direct service

between Pakistan,

East Coast

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Safmarine Container Lines will operate a direct service between Pakistan and East Coast and Gulf ports in the US under brand name of 'Safmarine and Himalayan Express' from Port Qasim from April 1, 2000.

The new service will commence with the voyage of 'Saudi Hofuf', a vessel of Saudi National Shipping company from Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) on April 2, 2000.

With eight vessels operating a 14-day frequency, the service port rotation, all of which will be served directly, is Dammam, Port Qasim, Nhava Sheva, Jeddah, Livomo, New York, Baltimore, Houston, New Orleans, Savannah, Norfolk, New York, Hallfax, Jeddah, Dubai and Dammam.

This will be only direct service between Pakistan and the East Coast and Gulf of the United States and will call at a wide range of US ports.

The Safmarine has described the new service as an opportunity to join hands with a major world carrier Ñ National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia Ñ and offers a reliable direct service to US East Coast and Gulf ports that is clearly in demand to our customers.

The Safmarine noted that Pakistan had been improving its trade position in the world and exports were growing at a rapid pace. It is time for ocean carriers to realise the importance of Pakistan and introduce direct services to the major markets. The shipping company vessels have been calling directly at QICT.