Whilst OMA Group has been in operation for some time, OMA Logistics Senegal was only opened for business in December 2015. Could you give an introduction to the Senegal arm of the group?

OF: OMA Logistics Senegal is a third party logistics provider. We have three business units: shipping, logistics and oil and gas. The shipping division deals with maritime activity and acts as a support unit for oil and gas. We also carry out freight forwarding, which can handle the import and export of spare parts needed in the oil and gas industry. As well as having strong oil and gas capabilities, we are able to support the whole mining industry.

Many service companies have diversified from oil and gas into mining over the years due to certain synergies. How great is the opportunity for OMA Logistics Senegal in mining?

VBK: There are many processes in both mining and onshore oil and gas that are the same, or at least very similar. The only real difference is in offshore operations, where logistics are much more complicated. By transferring our expertise in onshore oil and gas, however, we are certain that we can provide the same high quality services in mining.

Our workforce and footprint in Senegal are growing in line with anticipated developments in the oil and gas sector. With a focus on recruiting qualified and experienced Senegalese staff, we foresee a significant increase in the size of our workforce over the next five years.

What gives OMA Logistics Senegal a competitive edge over larger logistics providers and shipping companies?

OF: Even though the company may be young in Senegal, we invest in our people. We therefore have employees with a great deal of experience handling our business.

VBK: It’s not the size of the operation which matters. What’s very important to OMA is having the ability to listen carefully to customers’ needs, be flexible in our approach to finding smart and cost-effective solutions and providing quick responses. We want to help grow and develop our customers’ businesses and become their preferred partner in Senegal.

Could you outline some of the services that OMA Logistics Senegal is able to offer to mining companies?

OF: OMA Logistics Senegal is currently able to offer the mining sector a full range of shipping, logistics and sector-specific support services for the energy market. What is important for us is to understand fully what customers need and how best we can meet their requirements.

Mining companies often cite logistics as one of the biggest challenges of operating in Africa. What measures are being taken to improve infrastructure in the country?

VBK: Whilst the government will generally not offer financial contributions to companies developing infrastructure, as far as rules and regulations are concerned, the government is generally supportive.

When developing infrastructure, is there a pressure to be sustainable and environmentally-conscious?

VBK: As well as encouragement from the government, it is also important to consider the requirements of the client. There are certain parameters we must meet in order to be compliant.

OF: We are also working towards two ISO certifications –we should have the ISO 9001 and the new ISO 45001 certification by October 2018.

Do you have a final message for the mining industry?

VBK: We see providing services to the mining sector as a natural extension of what we already do today in the oil and gas sector, not only in Senegal, but also across regional West Africa. Through the development of intimate customer relationships both locally, as well as internationally through our overseas network, we can quickly identify exactly what customers need and expect from us, and where we can bring added-value to mine operators in Senegal. By putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, we can quickly adapt and provide innovative solutions necessary to help grow customers’ businesses. Ultimately, we would like to be a small part of that success.