SOUTH African Louise Angel (29) has become the first woman to take command of a Safmarine vessel. She is also the youngest Master in the Safmarine fleet, which comprises 19 owned and 39 chartered vessels.

Angel, who is married and lives in Durban, will take command of the Safmarine Ngami - a 2474 teu containership deployed on the South Africa/North America (AMEX) trade - in mid-October.

Earlier this year she also became the first female officer to take delivery of a new Safmarine containership - the very ship she will now be at the helm of.

Commenting on her appointment, Safmarine CEO Ivan Heesom-Green said: “As a seafaring Safmariner, Louise has demonstrated her ability and commitment and her appointment to Master is an excellent achievement - and one of great pride to all Safmariners.”

Safmarine is an independently-managed, multi-trade shipping company within the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, the world’s largest liner shipping company. Founded in South Africa in 1946, Safmarine is today represented in more than 120 countries.