Germany's Deutsche Afrika-Linien/John T Essberger Group of Companies (DAL/JTE) has sold a feeder line subsidiary based in Mauritius.
The disposal of United Africa Feeder Line (UAFL) to a Luxembourg-based investor was confirmed to TradeWinds by the German group.
No price has been revealed.
Consultancy Alphaliner had earlier cited Hamburg-based sources as saying a deal was being negotiated.
Regional operator UAFL was founded in 2000 and operates a network of services connecting the Middle East and India with East Africa, South Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.
In 2011, the carrier was taken over by DAL Deutsche Afrika-Linien, which is itself part of DAL/JTE.
The line maintained its commercial independence under existing managers.
Five-ship fleet
UAFL operates five vessels, including the DAL/JTE-owned, 2,268-teu Ubena and Ulanga (both built 2016).
Alphaliner understands these ships are not part of the sale, although the group and the buyer are believed to be working on a deal to see them continue to serve with UAFL.
UAFL also charters Liberty Blue's 1,730-teu Szczecin Trader (built 1998) and two Huanghai 600-type container-friendly multipurpose cargo vessels — the 7,900-dwt Athens (built 2008) and 7,700-dwt MCP Larnaca (built 2007).
Focus on tankers and containerships
TradeWinds reported in September that DAL/JTE was putting its focus on boxships and chemical tankers after quietly exiting the dry bulk sector.
The group bought the 6,589-teu Mataquito (built 2010) and is proceeding with an eight-ship chemical tanker newbuilding order.
The news came after the sale of three handysize bulkers — its last dry bulk vessels.
The moves were part of a plan designed to steer the company back to its roots, a spokesperson confirmed at the time.
