The German domiciled Hamburg Sud (HS), which mainly operates in the north/south, North Europe/ Mediterranean and reefer trades, has revamped its agency network in Algeria.
Effective since February 9, 2010, Arkas Algerie SPA (AA) has assumed responsibilities for all of the carrier's agency, including sales and marketing activities, in the North African country. AA has offices in Algeria's two largest ports, Oran and Algiers, through which most of the nation's general cargo and containers are routed.
In an official statement, HS indicated that the change would lead to the group 'enhancing its commercial presence in the region while guaranteeing its customers shorter communication channels and significantly faster, on-the-spot handling of cargo'.
The move is the latest in a series of changes made by HS in raising its profile in emerging markets and particularly those perceived as having significant growth potential. In the case of Algeria, the Hamburg-headquartered shipping line sees 'a substantial increase in import traffic and ongoing strong demand for reefer products'.
To this end, HS will make extensive use of the Portsec container depot in Algiers, which has the capacity to store 60 reefer boxes. In addition, by moving cargo to such off-dock facilities, it enables faster handling rates in the marine terminal, thereby allowing HS's ships and equipment to be turned around quicker.
Practically all container cargo moving in/out of Algeria is relayed over ports in southern Europe, with HS's North Africa Feeder Service calling fortnightly at Leghorn, Vado Ligure, Salerno, Oran, Algiers and return to Leghorn. A single 1,000TEU ship is deployed.
Previously, HS had used Dolphin One.
