Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd has struck a deal to buy the container liner business of historic compatriot Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL).

DAL was formed in 1890 and operates four services from Europe to South Africa and the Indian Ocean.

No price has been revealed for the transaction.

Headquartered in Hamburg, DAL employs more than 150 people in its liner business.

The company, which is part of German shipping group John T Essberger, owns a 6,589-teu container ship and operates a container fleet of around 17,800 owned and leased boxes.