Bremen Overseas Chartering and Shipping (BOCS) and Universal Africa Lines (UAL) have struck a deal with the newly established African Agency Alliance (AAA), to act as liner agency for both shipping lines in the port of Antwerp. 

A well experienced, professional, and dedicated team with genuine local knowledge will assure a smooth handling of all operations within the port of Antwerp, the two companies said in a joint statement.

“The formation of this new dedicated Africa liner agency will further enhance the quality of customer service for our clients, and we feel that there is a serious benefit from all the years of combined Africa experience it offers. UAL is proud to be commercially represented by AAA in our European main port of Antwerp”, says Harald Maas, Managing Director of UAL.

„BOCS is very pleased to announce the new cooperation with AAA. The port of Antwerp is to be considered as one of our main European destinations. Our clientele will benefit from optimised services through synergetic effects, as AAA is dedicated to carriers with main destination West Africa”, states Björn Hollnagel, Managing Director of BOCS.

The first BOCS vessel handled by AAA at Antwerp port will be the MV BOCS SPIRIT voyage 22521, whereas for UAL it will be the MV UAL OSPREY, arriving December 8th in Antwerp.

Earlier this year the two shipping lines have set up a joint venture for the Mediterranean and Black Sea to and from West Africa. The UAL BOCS Shipping Line BV (UBSL), is based in Capelle aan den IJssel in the Netherlands and expands the UAL Mediterranean Service with additional expertise and tonnage from the BOCS group.