SDV gets more involved in container terminal management

As the developed world
battles the impact of the
global financial recession,
companies involved in Africa have
been more fortunate.
“2009 has been a good year
for SDV,” said Johannesburgbased
regional managing director
Philippe Deneve.
“This year we’ve strengthened
our foothold on the continent after
winning several tenders for the
management of container terminals,
the biggest being Pointe Noire in
the Congo and Cotonou in Benin,”
said Deneve. “And we are working
on several other tenders for the
management of new container
terminals and an inland container
depot, both of which we’re
confident of being awarded.”
While SDV has been involved
in these countries in a stevedoring
capacity, it has now extended its
field of operation. “This gives
us stronger control – and the
agreements are based on 20-25 year
contracts which enable us to invest
in modern handling equipment.”
The company has also extended
its network on the continent with
the opening of new offices in
Namibia, Mozambique, Somalia,
Ethiopia and Mauritania. It now
has more than 200 offices in 41
countries in Africa.
And while talk of expansion may
be unusual against the backdrop of
the world recession – there’s good
reason for it, says Deneve.
“Apart from South Africa,
other countries in Africa have no
manufacturing capacity, so while
there may have been a decrease
in the movement of some raw
materials, Africa is a net importer
of mainly basic commodities.
“They have experienced a
decrease – but in small degrees –
and for the past few months
there’s been an upturn in imports
and exports.”
For the southern region,
Deneve points to the improving
copper price which has led to
new investment in some mines
in Zambia and the Congo. “This
means people are ready to increase
the production of copper – and the
same is true of Mozambique and
Angola where some big projects
will start in 2010.
“Africa is a good place to be
today and will be a good place to
be for the next ten years at least.”
Bolloré Africa Logistics,
through its main logistics network
SDV, has no global competitors on
this continent, says Deneve – “only
local competitors based in one
country or in certain cases a few
countries.
“With an average of 50 years
of experience in West and Central
Africa, we have built a very strong
network in the French-speaking
countries, at the ports and inland
destinations.
“Based on this solid foundation,
we have now developed the
same network in the English and
Portuguese-speaking countries,
with huge investments in the east
and the southern region over the
past few years.”