Falkland Islands fishing company Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (CFL) has expanded into shipping in a significant move that means the Islands for the first time has its own container vessel in operation.
The Board of Consolidated Fisheries Ltd (CFL) announced the acquisition of MV Unispirit as the vessel was handed over to its new ownership in Montevideo.
‘The acquisition structure establishes a new CFL interest in the Hamburg shipping sector, opening up new connections and expertise and creating a platform for future growth,’ said CFL Chairman James Wallace, who added that the vessel would continue to be chartered to SAAS, so the service, ‘will continue as we are all familiar with.’
This project has been many years in the making and builds on long-standing relationships with trusted Falklands shipping partners Uniatlantico Shipping and Held Shipping.
CFL general manager Janet Robertson welcomed the acquisition and noted that the company had led on the provision of a stable shipping link to the Falklands since 2005 when CFL had set up SAAS to provide a much-needed container link between the Falkland Islands and South American ports. Since 2010 CFL has welcomed new partners in the operation which has allowed the company to expand its range of services to customers.
‘From a SAAS perspective this is really positive, welcome news and provides service stability for us and our customers into the future,’ said Jill Ford, general manager of South American Atlantic Service Limited (SAAS).
‘We look forward to working through the Charter under the new ownership of Unispirit Shipping.’
