Safmarine Container Lines NV is a Belgian shipping company, based in Antwerp and specialising in sea transportation of cargoes between Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent as well as operating in other trades. Our services are mainly based on fully containerised vessels but we also have a division offering services for non-unitisable break bulk and project cargo.
We have a truly multinational identity:
Safmarine is a merger of two proud shipping companies, namely Safmarine originating from South Africa and CMB-T originating from Belgium. Both companies were active in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent for decades before Safmarine acquired CMBT in 1996. The merged network created a service with unmatched coverage in those parts of the world.
Also our owner since 1999 is very much a multinational organisation, namely the Danish worldwide conglomerate A.P. Moller - Maersk AS, with its head office in Copenhagen. That Group is one of the largest shipping companies in the world and is also involved in a wide range of activities in the energy, logistics, retail and manufacturing industries.
Safmarine has an independent management board based in Antwerp, with five regional executives running the daily business in the field. The regional offices are located in Cape Town, Dubai, Singapore, New Jersey and Antwerp.
With 110 owned offices throughout the world, Safmarine ensures that we deliver the high level of service and dedication that our customers have come to expect from the carriage of their goods under a Safmarine Bill of Lading, whether they be shippers, forwarders or traders.
We own and charter about 60 vessels, and most of them are fully integrated into the Maersk Line network. This way we have the benefit of being a true tonnage provider and at the same time having access to the largest network in the world. Being a part of the AP Moller-Maersk Group enables us to leverage and tap into Maersk Line's robust IT infrastructure, HR development programmes and procurement resources that help provide you with the best-in-class services.
We understand that challenging markets such as Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent require a personal touch and commitment. Our increasing focus is to continuously improve our services that go beyond just providing you with the best rates and best network. We partner with you every step of the way, helping you decide and plan your transportation solutions in the most cost and time-efficient manner.
Service for us means that our customers can get in touch with us online or personally about their shipments at any time of the day or night. For this, we are continuously working on expanding our e-commerce abilities as we want to offer the most flexible and modern interfaces enabling you to transact with us in a simpler and quicker way.
As an employer we focus on recruiting and developing professional shipping people who love the international environment of shipping and who are willing to go the extra mile for our customers. We offer unique international opportunities – today we have about 35 expatriates posted globally to lead and manage our operations.
We endeavour to act in an environmentally-responsible way and to contribute to the communities in which we operate. One example of these behaviours is a programme where we were the first to recycle our retired containers converting them into buildings used as schools, crèches, adult education centres and clinics. This supports the upliftment and empowerment of poor communities in Africa and other parts of the developing world.
I look forward to engaging with you – as a customer, an employee or as any other interested partner for Safmarine Container Lines NV.
Tomas Dyrbye
Safmarine CEO
