Oil and gas industry beckons FPT

Oil and gas exploration across Africa offers significant opportunity for the country’s project cargo sector. According to Steven Janssen, FPT regional general manager: Western and Eastern Cape, growing its project cargo service offering is high on the agenda for FPT in Cape Town and Durban in light of the ongoing exploration in and around South Africa and the rest of the continent. “The possibility of supplying a service to the oil and gas industry exists in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and we are hoping to grow our market share extensively in the coming months,” he said. According to Hoosen Ahmed, planning manager for FPT in Durban, the same can be said for this branch – especially with the citrus season over and more capacity becoming available. “FPT Durban’s abnormal cargo volumes have grown year on year,” said Ahmed, “with a 12-month service now being offered to general cargo customers.” While volumes in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth have not been as high since the bulk of the cargo is being discharged at dedicated berths leased by the offshore oil and gas industry, growing volumes at these facilities is a target for coming months. FPT Cape Town recently discharged ductile iron pipes from two bulk carriers calling at its ‘B’ berth facility – and these included some 6000 pipes from the bulk carrier Maritime Prosperity. “It is all about f lexibility and service when marketing FPT’s facilities to project cargo customers and vessel agents,” said Janssen. FPT Group, operators of multipurpose and breakbulk terminals in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Maputo, have a strong footprint in the fruit industry, handling 700 000 pallets of fruit every year. According to Janssen a further 700 000 tons of general cargo is also handled at the facilities annually. “Growing our project cargo footprint and increasing these volumes at our facilities is a key strategy for the months ahead,” said Janssen.