Safmarine appoints Jonathan Horn regional executive

SAFMARINE has appointed Jonathan Horn as the new Africa region executive, effective May 1.

Mr Horn takes over from Alan Jones, who soon becomes senior key account executive for Safmarine, until his retirement in October 2009 after 33 years with the multi-trade shipping line.

South Africa-born Mr Jones said: "Phasing out my involvement in Africa to focus on South Africa will not only allow me to work closely with Jonathan, providing the necessary mentoring and development for a period of 18 months, but we believe the handover period is also in the best interests of Safmarine's customers."

Mr Horn joined Safmarine in 2004 as a regional executive for Kwazulu Natal, then moving to Cape Town in 2005 when he joined the personnel department before moving into customer service.

Prior to his appointment at Safmarine he served as vice president in Energy, Utilities & Chemicals Sector at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Singapore.

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World's biggest container maker expects demand to fall this year

CHINA International Marine Containers (CIMC), the world's largest container maker, forecasts that the global demand will remain flat or decline in 2008.

The overproduction of containers in 2007 is another reason for the company to make provisions for 2008, in light of fewer purchases and more competition, a company statement said.

But company says trade in standard dry cargo containers and reefer boxes trade will not suffer much because it expects improvement in the domestic market for road operations, energy and chemicals equipment sales as well as airport facility activity to buoy business during global slowdown.

CIMC will spend CNY5.7 billion (US$814 million) this year, CNY1.33 billion of which for vehicle manufacturing, CNY650 million for energy and chemicals equipment manufacturing.

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