THE official launch of Linsen Nambi Bunker Services, the first 100% black owned shipping company, kicked off Transport Month and made South African maritime history recently.
When Deputy Director General of Transport -Dumisani Ntuli cut the ribbon on Linsen Nambi vessel, Fumana, he realized the dream and vision of childhood friends, Durand Naidoo and Thuso Mhlambi.
The 33-year-old owners of Linsen Nambi, started their company in 2012. Since then, their fully black youth owned shipping company has recruited highly skilled maritime professionals, developed strong customer relationships and, most significantly, according to Naidoo, “bought and own our own ships”.
Transport Deputy Director General Ntuli, a firm supporter of transformation in the maritime industry, believes that South Africa has the potential to grow to a place where this industry contributes to “economic growth and offers opportunities for job creation”.
To this end, Government has prioritized the maritime economy through Operation Phakisa.
Said Naidoo: “It is heartening to know that there are Government Development Plans to unlock more deals like ours”. He added that he would like to see “the private sector opening up this space to new entrants, something that will facilitate the creation of employment”.
Naidoo and Mhlambi set themselves a goal at the start: to become the leading African shipping company with a global presence. They look to be well on their way to achieving that. Along with WOESA (Women in Oil and Energy SA), they recently purchases a bunker services company from Grindrod. The company currently employs 110 people, a number they hope to increase significantly as they grow their diversified shipping company.
Their vessels supply bunker fuel to other vessels calling at South African ports. As Naidoo describes it: “In layman terms we are the petrol attendants of the sea.”
Mhlambi says they are proud of their transformation successes: seven out of 12 masters are black, all twelve chief officers and all 12 chief engineers in the company are black.
During this 13th anniversary of the October Transport Month, which started in 2005 to raise awareness on the important role of transport in the economy, Government sets out to mobilise public and private sector participation in transport projects aimed at developing the country’s economy and ensuring sustainable job creation.
Said Mhlambi: “We are delighted to have launched our company in Transport month. It seems fitting since our vision is in keeping with that of both government and the maritime industry.
“Expect to hear great things from us. We’re at the beginning of our journey.”