West Africa services support burgeoning project business

Cargo surveys are key NON-CONTAINERISED cargo is on the increase between South Africa and the new West African oil hubs, and shipping lines are stepping up capacity to accommodate growing demand. From salt, bentonite clay and blasting grit, to pipes, tubes and construction vehicles, there’s growing volume to the oil hubs in Angola, Nigeria, Congo, DRC and Gabon, as well as other developing West African countries, says MPV commercial manager for Safmarine South Africa, Noel Barry. “The offshore oilfields in West Africa are amongst the fastest growing oil exploration and production areas in the world,” says Barry. “Our MPV multi-trade customers have certainly been more active in the South African arena of late, for sourcing logistics services or transhipping cargo into West Africa.” The line’s main South African customers include specialised logistics operators in the oil sector who also partner with Safmarine in transporting non-containerised cargo from northwest Europe and east coast North America into the same West African oil hubs. “Having specialised knowledge in West Africa and experienced staff in our MPV teams in the three continents is a big plus,” says Barry. “A lot of the work doesn’t just involve the physical transportation - some of the most important tasks involve surveying the cargo and ensuring a smooth documentation process.” Non-containerised, out of gauge, heavy lifts, IMO I and breakbulk cargo options are part of the line’s MPV service offering between South Africa and West Africa. And these have been upgraded to offer a bi-monthly, dedicated service out of Durban and Cape Town into the key West African oil ports. Shippers also have the option of connecting directly to Walvis Bay on the southbound leg. Among the line’s recent projects was the transhipment of specialised piping, cable, anchors, machinery from Asia and steel profiles and pipes from South America. “In one case, we were asked by a local logistics partner here in Cape Town to get involved in urgently delivering around 700 cubic metres of specialised components that included large pieces to Point Noire before the delivery of the main rig, which had just arrived in Cape Town. “The cargo was surveyed, documentation was passed and the shipment was road-hauled to the Combi-terminal where it was picked up a week later by the Safmarine Meroula and delivered as requested to Point Noire," said Barry. “Due to the strategic location of Cape Town and Saldanha Bay, Safmarine also intends to enable local South African suppliers of materials, repair and construction services to competitively serve the burgeoning West African oil and gas industry.”