Company acquires a product tanker; to be South African flagged and manned
Considered a key player in the South African maritime industry, African Marine Solutions or AMSOL as it is better known, has recently been awarded a multi-year contract by Shell Downstream South Africa (Pty) Ltd that will further support continued transformation in the sector and the extension of the company’s services in fuel logistics and transportation.
AMSOL Chief Executive Officer Paul Maclons:
“With a changing requirement for the transportation and delivery of multiple grades of marine fuel, Shell has partnered with AMSOL to provide a world class service in the Port of Durban. This partnership has resulted in AMSOL acquiring a product tanker, representing a multimillion-rand investment, and will provide sustainable employment for South Africans in the specialised niche of tanker operations.”
As the leading employer of South Africa seafarers, AMSOL’s growth strategy has had as one of its focus areas the expansion of its marine services portfolio into the operation and management of seagoing product tankers; building on its reputation as the premier bunker barge operator in the region. With a fleet of 18 owned and managed vessels, it is also an opportunity to further support the South African government’s drive to increase
the number of vessels on the South African ships’ registry; an important catalyst for employment of South African seafarers.
The tanker has been named ‘ISIQALO’ (‘The Beginning’), and will transport and deliver High Sulphur Fuel Oil, Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil and Gas Oil to vessels calling at the busy Port of Durban. Tanker operations require effective risk management to efficiently execute the scope of work to International Oil Industry Standards, ensuring no impact on the environment and the health and safety of all personnel. AMSOL complies with all relevant codes and conventions.
The contract award to AMSOL represents the achievement of a strategic growth objective, and employees, who are shareholders in the Level 3 B-BBEE business, benefit from expansion of the company’s footprint in the region. AMSOL also holds minority shareholding in Lwandle Shipping, an emerging enterprise that is being supported to become a new player in coastal fuel transportation and supply.
