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Maritime Review Africa - Cover Story
Expanding the AMSOL footprint
Following the launch and commencement of operations for AMSOL Mozambique and AMSOL Namibia, emerging Ghanaian company – AMSOL Ghana was recently awarded a contract by Ghana Oil Company (GOIL) that will further support continued localisation in the sector. The extension of the company’s services in marine and offshore fuel logistics and transportation, follows the acquisition of the South African owned and flagged product tanker Isiqalo and the award of a multi-year contract by Shell Downstream South Africa (Pty).
For AMSOL Chief Executive Officer, Paul Maclons, the core of AMSOL’s approach to remaining a sustainable business continues to be centered around creating shared value for all stakeholders, which is the foundation on which strategic business decisions are made. The commencement of these contracts represents the achievement of the strategic objectives set for the AMSOL Group.
“Growing capacity in AMSOL Ghana, which is an emerging enterprise in the local maritime industry, and the expansion of AMSOL’s footprint in the region supports our growth strategy and we are grateful to GOIL for the opportunity for AMSOL Ghana to provide this essential service,’’ he notes.
The tanker Clenston will deliver Marine Gas Oil on behalf of GOIL to international oil companies (IOCs) as well as clients in the fishing industry. AMSOL Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer and Director, Kojo Quainoo, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “With a requirement for the transportation and delivery of marine fuel, GOIL has entrusted AMSOL Ghana with providing a world-class service out of Tema. This has been an opportunity to provide employment for Ghanaian seafarers and further develop AMSOL Ghana’s competency in marine and offshore fuel logistics and transportation.”
Quainoo further reiterated that AMSOL Ghana believed strongly in local content and local participation and was committed to engaging local personnel and seafarers with relevant experience and competence to deliver solutions which meet international standards.
Ensuring sustainable development
As a company committed to sustainably transforming the oceans economy, AMSOL is focused on developing a robust talent pipeline to meet future needs. In South Africa, AMSOL is a Level 3 Contributor to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, verified annually against the requirements of the Maritime Transport & Services Sub-Sector Codes.
AMSOL also prioritises localisation in each area of operation by ensuring that the company has a diverse and inclusive workforce; a robust supply chain and partnerships that aim to positively impact the communities in which they work.
Investing in skills development
The recruitment, training, development and retaining of future maritime professionals remain a key focus for the company. As a result, AMSOL and its predecessors have for many years partnered with schools, future maritime leaders and employees in an effort to sustain a talent pipeline of specialists for the niche maritime market, as well as support those organisations and individuals committed to making a difference in their communities.
The AMSOL Cadet Training Programme, AB Training Program and Internships offered across the business are testament to this, in addition to a tertiary bursary scheme. By investing in the development of specialist marine and maritime skills, the company not only ensures the creation of a sustainably qualified, competent and experienced workforce for the AMSOL business, but, at a broader level, ensures that the potential of the Ocean’s Economy is unlocked.
AMSOL Human Resources Executive Nceba Mfini: “Servicing the Energy, Ports, Mining and Maritime sectors where specialist skills are key to sustaining future operations, we believe it is imperative that we develop our people to support industry growth into the future. Our company’s Skills Development initiatives are geared towards achieving that.”
In the last three years AMSOL has invested over R25 million in the training and development of employees across the business and currently employs 13 cadets across the fleet.
Building a resilient supply chain
The AMSOL Strategic Sourcing Department aims to practice sustainable, responsible procurement that builds a resilient supply chain and contributes to the economic and social development of the communities in which the company operates throughout the region.
To ensure the continued transformation of the AMSOL supply chain, where opportunities allow, quotations and tenders are packaged into smaller components to target Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). This supports the company’s Enterprise and Supplier Development initiatives. Appropriate standards, specifications and delivery dates related to contractual obligations are included to ensure that small businesses can be reasonably expected to cope and compete effectively. In 2020 AMSOL spent R132 million with SMME’s.
Where possible the company also prioritises localisation by ensuring that goods are procured in the operational area in which a vessel operates. Earlier this year, AMSOL’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel Nomasa entered drydock in Walvis Bay for a period of planned maintenance at Namdock. Through effective planning for the drydock project, AMSOL’s Strategic Sourcing Department focused on maximising the local procurement of spares, stores and repair services from Namibian suppliers and subcontractors.
AMSOL’s Strategic Sourcing Executive Pumla Makubalo: “For Nomasa’s drydock in Namibia, the procurement team focused on identifying, evaluating and registering Namibian companies who could assist us in this important project. Through this strategic approach, we were able to ensure that 80 percent of the support required for Nomasa’s period of maintenance in Walvis Bay was procured from local entities; positively impacting the local economy.”
