African Independent Coastal Services (AICS) has entered into an agreement with Israel-based shipping line ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd for the carriage of boxes along the Tema-Takoradi route.

The agreement follows the launch of a feeder service last month by the wholly Ghanaian-owned AICS, which operates along the Tema-Takoradi route, making ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd the first international shipping line to enter into a long-term Contract of Carriage with AICS.

AICS is owner and operator of the M/V Adobia, a 650 TEU multi-purpose cargo vessel. This feeder service currently operates scheduled calls to the ports of Tema and Takoradi and is looking to commence calls to Abidjan in a few weeks.

Beyond that, AICS has plans to add more scheduled calls to other West African ports in the near future. It is believed that both companies have been in discussions for over a month and the deal comes at a time when AICS is preparing for M/V Adobia’s maiden voyage. Analysts have predicted that the agreement between the two cargo liners will pave the way for other market players to forge strategic relationships with the feeder service operator, particularly those shipping lines that currently do not operate at the Takoradi port.

For those that do currently call on AICS destination ports, the company proposes that its feeder service offers a reliable and cost-effective alternative. Lloyd’s List reports that African box volumes are expected to grow by close to 10% in 2013 with Ghana’s contribution considered to be key due to the country’s rising trade volumes and sound economic growth. Analysts forecast that the Takoradi port alone will handle in the region of 70,000 TEU in 2013.

ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd was established in 1945 and has developed into one of the largest, leading carriers in the global container shipping industry. ZIM’s fleet comprises over 100 modern vessels, including mega-vessels of 8,000 and 10,000 TEUs with a total carrying capacity of over 337,000 TEU.

African Independent Coastal Services Ltd was established in Ghana in 2012 and boasts of being the only Ghanaian-owned cargo ship operator. Its first acquisition, M/V Adobia, is reported to be the only cargo ship on the Ghanaian ship register.