[1]: 308 Safmarine became widely known as a north–south trade and African specialist, represented in more than 130 countries throughout the world, and employing more than 1200 seafarers.

On October 3, 2011, it was decided that Safmarine would integrate its internal support and management functions into those of its sister company Maersk Line.

During the 1970s the South African liner trade started to decline, mainly due to competition from the jet airplane and the rising success of the revolutionary new container ships, in carrying cargoes more efficiently and more economically than conventional, older vessels.

In October 1977, both companies withdrew their passenger services and S. A. Vaal was sold to Carnival Cruise Lines, becoming their SS Festivale.

Following refit she was used to revive the Southampton–Cape Town service, also making cruises out of South Africa and the United Kingdom between liner voyages.

Each ship had were two Yarrow water-tube boilers and two Parson type turbines geared down to a single shaft, giving approximately 7,000 shp (5,200 kW) and a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

They were designed for carrying general dry cargo, and were built in Scotland in the 1950s for the Clan Line then the Springbok Shipping Co.

These ships had a distinctive cowl top on the funnel and were fitted with Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers and three Parson type turbines geared down to a single shaft, giving approximately 10,000 shp (7,500 kW) and a speed of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).

Three refrigerated motor ships S.A. Langkloof, S.A. Zebediela, and S.A. Hexrivier were built to export temperature controlled fruit from South Africa to the UK and Europe.

The following three sister ships were the heavy lift vessels in the Safmarine fleet, also for carrying general cargo.

S.A. Van Der Stel, S.A. Weltevreden, and S.A. Nederburg were all built by a Dutch company, and entered service in the mid-1960s.

They were all powered by a six-cylinder MAN K6Z86/160 low-speed two-stroke diesel engine, developing approximately 14,000 BHP and a speed of 21 knots.

A further sister ship, S.A. Vergelegen was commissioned in 1969; she had a 250 Stulken heavy lift and the number 3/4 and 5/6 holds had been extended.

They were powered by a six-cylinder Sulzer 6RND90 two-stroke diesel engine developing 15,000 BHP giving them a speed of 21 knots.

For electrical power two eight-cylinder and two six-cylinder MAN diesel engines drove AC alternators.

[citation needed] Safmarine had eight of its newest dry cargo ships lengthened to carry a small number of containers.