Successfully servicing the African
project sector means delivering
customised solutions on a regular
and frequent seafreight service at
competitive rates.
Arguably a big ask
for shipping lines in
the current economic
environment, yet more
often than not these
briefs are met, according
to Benjamin Nobel,
senior chartering broker
for BBC Chartering.
“We are seeing
developments in the
east, west and south,”
he said. “Equipment for
the mining industry, the
oil and gas sector and
infrastructure-related
projects seem to be the
biggest requirements in the region.”
He said the African market required
a consistent service that often had
to be customised as cargo was often
time-sensitive, while minimum risk
had to be ensured.
“There are of course also challenges in
African shipping such as the ongoing
piracy issue in the Gulf of Guinea
although our vessels for the most part
are not the direct targets,” he said.
Shipping experts maintain that
servicing the project
sector remains difficult
in light of the challenges
experienced at ports due
to a lack of equipment
or many ports just not
being deep enough to
accommodate vessels.
While several ports
on the continent
have committed to
upgrading and investing
in equipment there
are still areas where
equipment is used
beyond its maximum
capacity, raising
serious safety concerns. Regulatory
environments are also very different
between countries while there seems to
be a definite move in several countries
towards increasing regulatory
procedures.
INSERT & CAPTION
Equipment for the
oil and gas sector
and infrastructurerelated
projects seem
to be the biggest
requirements in the
region.
– Benjamin Nobel
