[ AUSTRAL ASIA LINE B.V. INTRODUCE LARGER VESSELS ]

A.A.A. B.V, the independent multipurpose liner operator servicing Quee
nsland Northern Territories, S.E. Asia and PNG has just replaced the 1
2,000 deadweight, 450 teus vessels, ‘Cape York’ and ‘Cape Nelson’
with two 18,500 deadweight, 900 teus sisterships, ‘Cape Arthem’ and
‘Cape Cleveland’.
The ‘Cape Cleveland’ replaced the ‘Cape York’ in Singapore in the
middle of April, whilst the ‘Cape Cleveland’ will substitute for the
‘Cape Nelson’, also in Singapore, at the end of month.
Specifically the new vessels, built in Germany in 1988, are multipurpo
se tweendeckers, with an operating speed of 15 knots and 4×25 tonne c
ranes. They are able to uplift 900 teus, including 45 reefer boxes but
will be used by AAL to carry a combination of containers and breakbul
k, with heavylifts upto 50 tonnes.
Currently, AAL offer a 14 day service frequency with direct calls betw
een Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville, Darwin, Surabaya, Jakarta, Port K
lang and Singapore, with the return service also calling direct at Lae
and Port Moresby, en route to Brisbane. In addition, the line also se
rvices Madras, Chittagong. Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Hong Kong, Taiwan
, Busan and main Japanese ports with transhipment via Singapore and Po
rt Klang.
Recent developments of S.O.C. feeder linkages with several mainline op
erators.
According to Vince Maroney, Line Manager, this new tonnage development
reflects both the phased expansion of current business and a desire b
y the line to service the growing needs of their trading region with l
arger term vessels.
Austral Asia Line B.V. which is based in Rotterdam has a representativ
e office in Brisbane and a managing agent, C.F.A.(LM) in Singapore, su
pported by a well established general agents network throughout the re
gions, including Ben Line Agencies in S.E. Asia, Express Freight in PN
G and Austral Asia Shipping Agencies in Brisbane.