May.25--SAFMARINE has taken delivery of the 'Safmarine Chachai,' a new 4,500 TEU, WAFMAX containership.
    The newbuilding joins her sister-ships, the Safmarine Chilka and Safmarine Chambal, in the A.P Moller-Maersk fleet.
    The vessels were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and are fitted with super long-stroke main engines and a waste heat recovery system to reduce emissions and save fuel.
    "Not only has this modern new vessel been purpose-built for the growing trade with Africa, but it is yet another example of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group's commitment to investing in modern, more environmentally-friendly vessels," said Safmarine CEO, Grant Daly, in a company statement.
    Damco air cargo soars with NTS purchase, revenues rise, but profits flat
    DAMCO, the standalone forwarder of the AP Moller-Maersk Group, has posted a flat first quarter operating profit at US$7 million, drawn on revenues of $738 million, up eight per cent. 
    First quarter sea freight volumes increased six per cent, while Damco's air freight more than doubled, bucking a global financial ebb tide in the industry. This was attributed to acquisition of China air forwarder NTS. But even excluding the NTS purchase, air freight volume increased 37 per cent.
    In the supply chain management segment, new customer contracts signed in the first three months are expected to lift the flat first quarter performance as the year progresses, starting in the second quarter.
    "I am pleased to see that we are making good progress under difficult market conditions. Our growth bears testament to the resonance our supply chain services are finding with customers," said Damco CEO Rolf Habben-Jansen.
    Mr Habben-Jansen said the company faced unusual costs in first three months. "We will absorb additional cost in the first two  quarters because of the restructuring of our European region into East and West. This is the right thing to do to position us for the years to come. When the changes are all implemented at the end of Q2, Damco will be in a stronger position to address the very different needs of these diverse markets," he said.

(Source:shippingazette)