Bolloré Africa hints at more port terminals

Bolloré Africa Logistics is expanding its sub-Saharan Africa footprint and is exploring the option of establishing more port terminals in the region. This in anticipation of increased import and export demand as more trade opportunities open up, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The company launched Mozambique’s first floatingquay oil services terminal in the city of Pemba last month in conjunction with the country’s ports and railways company, CFM. “We will start to promote the concept of a floating quay in other locations in the region,” said Michael Zabaneh, oil and gas logistics director of Bolloré Africa Logistics, “highlighting the fact that it takes less than a year to build and is a costeffective, innovative solution to expanding port infrastructure,” he told FTW. Zabaneh says Mozambique offers the most immediate opportunities for expansion but the company is keeping an eye on expansion over a wide range of industrial specialities in South Africa, Zambia, Namibia as well as the East Coast of Africa, from Durban to Tanzania. “All indications are that the support of the Brics countries will grow trade to and from the region and we will leverage our key strengths as a company to take advantage of the opportunities,” he said, pointing out that there has already been increased trade interest in the region. He says Bolloré’s key strengths are its extensive network throughout the African continent. “Throughout Africa, more than 97% of our staff are African nationals that are employed at every level. Our group has over 50 years of experience doing business on the continent. We also have experience in starting up and growing services in new markets as well as serving, growing and sustaining mature markets,” he said. CAPTION Michael Zabaneh ... promoting the concept of a floating quay in other locations in the region.