Local market knowledge and international quality

Angola

Mário Pais, general manager of Oceanbizz, talks to The Energy Year about how the competitive landscape for logistics has evolved and the opportunities resulting from the company’s partnership with Mobil. Oceanbizz is an Angolan services company offering integrated logistics, freight and forwarding and ship chandler services to the oil and gas sector and industry.

How has the competitive landscape for logistics evolved in recent years?
The market landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with certain areas experiencing even fiercer competition.
The globalisation of trade has led to the development of new trade lanes and supply chain networks. Logistic companies have had to adapt to new regulations and requirements for cross-border shipments.
The logistics industry has become more dynamic and innovative in response to these changes.
Building a robust structure, a cohesive team, effective management and a proactive approach to addressing needs are essential for success in today’s environment. Moreover, as an emerging market, Angola attracts internationally competitive companies.
Our advantage lies in our deep understanding of the local market and our commitment to excellence. While Angolan law still grapples with significant challenges in human resources, progress is being made, albeit slowly.

What are the opportunities resulting from Oceanbizz’s partnership with Mobil?
Importing Mobil products has allowed us to meet the demands of various industries beyond oil and gas, including energy, transportation, mining and construction. These sectors demand high-quality lubricants and oils to maintain the performance of their machinery, which is often valued in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Mobil is globally known and recognised as a brand that provides the assurance of quality and reliability, aligning with our commitment to delivering exceptional products to the market.
Our focus has now shifted towards promoting Mobil’s comprehensive range of lubrication solutions to help engine operators achieve new levels of productivity within the national market, granting efficiency and security. We are doing this while continuing to offer our customers a diversity of services, such as logistics, freight and forwarding, husbandry, catering, provisions, general procurement and marine chemical products.
We eagerly anticipate the market’s response to this initiative and remain optimistic about its success and development moving forward. Our collaboration with Mobil is ongoing, and our aim is to continue fostering this partnership. Whether exclusivity is possible depends largely on our project’s progress.

How does the entry of major international players into the Angolan mining market reflect a broader shift in the perception of the sector?
This marks a shift in how the mining sector is perceived. Previously there was a misconception that mining in Angola was primarily focused on diamonds and gold. However, the reality is that mining encompasses a much broader range of resources, including cobalt, phosphates, copper and uranium.
Diamonds and gold represent only a small percentage of Angola’s mining potential. It’s remarkable that Angola possesses such a diverse array of resources. Our task now is to explore and utilise these resources effectively while also ensuring the protection of the country’s natural wealth. This necessitates both responsible exploitation and proactive measures by the government to safeguard these valuable assets.

What are Oceanbizz’s regional expansion plans for the near future?
In our plans for 2024, expansion into Cabinda and Soyo is on the agenda. However, we approach such decisions with careful consideration, evaluating the possibilities and available projects. These regions present significant demand not only for the lubricant industry but also for chemicals and catering services.
Looking further ahead, we anticipate expanding into Namibe, likely in 2025 or 2026. We’re already laying the groundwork in Lobito and Benguela, where we’ve established distribution hubs to support our operations. The plans for 2025 extend beyond provincial expansion. We are actively pursuing projects to establish a presence in Congo. Furthermore, we are considering establishing a branch in Namibia as part of our ongoing expansion efforts.
Our approach is strategic, ensuring that we’re well prepared and consolidated in our areas of operation by 2027, diligently preparing to meet the needs of our clients promptly and effectively. Our primary focus is on providing swift responses, a capability that sets us apart in the market.

Read our latest insights on:

• Angola
• Namibia