Gamba Terminal News

A welcoming ceremony was held for two newbuild vessels SL Gabon and SL Libreville at Port‐Gentil, Gabon on April 17. Among those attending the ceremony were the Minister Delegate of Transport Mr. Emmanuel Jean Didier Biye, the Governor of the Ogooué Maritime Province Mr. Martin Boguikouma, the Prefect of the Bendjè Department Mr. Joseph Mouele, Total Gabon Chief Executive Officer Mr. Benoît Chagué and Smit Lamnalco Chief Executive Officer Mr. Daan Koornneef. SL Gabon and SL Libreville have been contracted for a five year period by Total Gabon.

Smit Lamnalco renewed its marine support services contract with oil major Shell in Gabon, a deal that has triggered investment in three auxiliary vessel newbuildings, according to the company. The five year contract renewal extends a relationship which dates back to the 1990s and covers support for Shell Gabon’s tanker operations at the remote Gamba Terminal, south of Port Gentil. “The trust Shell Gabon has in our services has sustained through the 2011 merger of Lamnalco and SMIT Terminals.” says Aart van der Wal, Managing Director Smit Lamnalco Africa. The renewal covers the deployment, crewing and management of four Smit Lamnalco support vessels, with three newbuilds ordered in mid-November to replace existing tonnage.