Lloyds List DCN, 1st March 2007
Fremantle coastal shipping operator Seacorp Logistics is on the lookout for a larger vessel to replace the SCS Anne, which operates a shipping service from the Perth metropolitan area to ports in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Northern Territory.
The service, which is partly underwritten by the Western Australia Government, has been provided by the independent Fremantle company since January last year.
Managing director Craig Thompson said massive increases in the cargo task over the past few months had encouraged him to search for a vessel with an additional 20% cargo handling capacity.
He was now finalising details of the new vessel, which was due to be in operation by mid-year.
The 105-metre SCS Anne is a multi-purpose vessel that could ship containers, break bulk, heavy lift, over-dimensional, hazardous and dry bulk cargo.
The new vessel would have the same multi-purpose capabilities as the SCS Anne but would be able to lift 160 tonnes as opposed to the SCS Anne’s 110 tonnes.
Mr Thompson said Seacorp Logistics had quadrupled its customer base and broadened the mix of cargo types it carried since it started operating the shipping service just over a year ago.
He said the shipping service provided the cheapest option for transporting cargo between the Perth metropolitan area and the Pilbara, Kimberley and Northern Territory.
“We are starting to see a real change in awareness about the range of benefits that shipping offers. A lot of increased business has come through word of mouth,” Mr Thompson said.
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