Hapag-Lloyd has invested in new services and inland infrastructure for the growing market of East Africa.
The region, which has an annual growth rate of 6%, is developing faster than any other part of the continent, especially in Kenya, where import and export numbers are rising.
In April 2018, Hapag-Lloyd launched the East Africa Service (EAS), the first dedicated service to the region, which sails from Jeddah to Mombasa, and then to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, every week.
Following a successful trial period, Hapag-Lloyd will extend the service in September 2018 to Nhava Sheva and Mundra in India, Khor Fakkan in Oman, and Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Jorn Springer, of Hapag Lloyd, discusses how the carrier has developed this century in a Port Technology technical paper
EAS2, which will replace the old EAS service, is set to create a direct link between the Arabian Gulf, West Coast of India, and East Africa.
In addition, Hapag-Lloyd currently offers inland transportation to and from multiple hinterland locations in East Africa, including Lumbumbashi in DPR Congo, Lusaka in Zambia, and Kampala in Uganda.
Dheeraj Bhatia, Managing Director of the Africa, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent for Hapag-Lloyd AG, commented: “I am delighted that our East Africa Service from and to Kenya is developing so positively.
“After only four months in operation, we have significantly expanded our business with overall vessel utilization beyond our expectations.
“With our upcoming new EAS2 service we will be able to offer even better connections from and to East Africa. All in all we are experiencing growing client demand which demonstrates the economic potential of Kenya.”
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