Africa could very well
evolve as one of the
world’s leading energy
producers in the coming
decades, according to Benjamin
Nobel, senior chartering broker and
market manager for Africa at BBC
Chartering.
“There are some major
developments under way on the
continent that bode well for Africa’s
future,” he told
FTW. “These
include the plans
by ENI and
Anadarko to
build the world’s
second largest
LNG Plant in
Mozambique.
We believe this
will trigger
significant
activity in the
project shipping industry over the
next few years.”
Plans by companies such as
Indorama, who are set to create
Africa’s largest petrochemical hub
within the Eleme complex
in Port Harcourt in
Nigeria, are further
confirmation of
Africa’s growing
role in the energy
producing sector.
“This is an
IEFCL project
and comprises an
ammonia plant, a
urea granulation
plant, associated
infrastructure and
utilities as well as a gas
pipeline.”
Nobel said staying on top of
market developments would become
increasingly important in the African
environment. “We also are aiming
to develop closer local ties that help
to further establish our brand in the
African market,” he explained.
Africa, however, is not without
challenges - with Ebola currently top
of mind.
“It continues to determine
much of the activities, leading to
less parcelling possibilities – ie,
fewer voyages
that combine
cargoes from
Europe or Far
East that would
normally call
multiple countries
that are now
designated Ebola
countries,” he
said. “We expect
to see a tailback
resolution of
cargoes held up due to Ebola factors
during 2015.”
Another challenge was that
South Africa’s importing activities
were below average due to its weak
rand and that was also affecting
shipping he said.
“But Africa’s opportunities
are growing. There are
ongoing oil and gas
development projects in
Kenya, Tanzania, Angola
and Nigeria, while mining
developments in Liberia
and Mauretania are also
impacting positively. The
LNG processing facilities
in Mozambique will bring
significant benefit.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We expect to see a tailback
resolution of cargoes held
up due to Ebola factors
during 2015.
– Benjamin Nobel