Manica secures oil and gas logistics contract

NAMIBIA’S KUDU gas fields project has provided a lucrative opportunity for the logistics division of Manica Group Namibia. The company recently signed a service contract with Energy Africa Kudu, a group company of Tullow Oil PLC, to provide logistics services during the upcoming exploration and appraisal drilling campaign in the gas field licence area, offshore Namibia. Manica Logistics was awarded the general agency and logistics operations contract of the shore-base facility. It involves a “one-stop shop” solution that extends from the likes of contract administration, customs clearing and freight forwarding to warehousing, transport, materials handling and supply management and sourcing, with strict adherence to OHSE and ISO management standards, a company spokesman told FTW. “The main base for the logistics support during the drilling campaign will be the port of Lüderitz,” he said. “Vessels, trucks and aircraft will deliver commodities, spares, equipment and supplies to the shore base in Luderitz. Supply vessels will be loaded and discharged at a designated berth in the port and will ply between the shore base and the rig on a continuous basis, transporting materials and commodities as required for the drilling operations, with the shore-base operation running 24/7.” The drilling programme was expected to begin at the end of May and is anticipated to run for up to six months. ”To secure the contract Manica Logistics combined the services of its various divisions and subsidiaries as well as third party service providers to effectively offer a ‘lead logistics’ solution for the customer,” the spokesman said.