Johannesburg, 13 Nov 2006
Technology giant IBM expects to absorb 159 IT employees from local shipping company Safmarine Container Lines at the beginning of December, as part of the R1 billion full-scope IT deal IBM won from Safmarine three months ago.
The Competition Commission granted approval on 14 September, notes Safmarine's CIO Richard Downing. He adds that the revised implementation, or service commencement date is 1 December.
In August, IBM SA announced it had won a 10-year contract with Safmarine to transform and manage Safmarine's IT infrastructure.
Mteto Nyati, global technology services executive for IBM, said the contract involves 159 employees of Safmarine Computer Services - previously a division of Safmarine - moving to IBM's global technology services arm.
"When the deal swings into action, the people and the services will effectively start with IBM on the same date [1 December]," explains Downing.
He will continue as CIO for Safmarine Container Lines and will remain at Safmarine's head office in Antwerp, Belgium.
"Safmarine has retained an in-house information systems function to manage and develop this new partnership with IBM, and to ensure it delivers benefits and innovation," adds Downing.
Founded in SA in 1946, container and break-bulk shipping company Safmarine is a member of one of the world's largest liner shipping groups - the AP Moller Maersk Group. It has over 2 500 employees, in 120 countries.
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