We were honoured to have the presence and contributions of our Group CEO, Mr. Gerrit Van Der Merwe, whose insights and leadership continue to inspire us all. The event’s success was a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our group, showcasing the collective effort of every participant.

This year’s meeting focused on crafting our future by discussing strategies, setting goals, and engaging in meaningful dialogue about the path forward. Through a series of thematic sessions, workshops, open discussions, and even fun games, this created an ambiance filled with memorable moments, laughter, and, admittedly, a bit of pain as some challenges proved tough. Yet, it was the prevailing team spirit and a competitive yet fun mindset that carried us through to the end.

The different themes explored during the meeting, coupled with interactive workshops and open discussions, allowed us to dive deep into the complexities and opportunities within our industry. The inclusion of fun games helped break the ice, foster teamwork, and create an atmosphere where ideas could flow freely, ensuring that every moment was not only educational but also enjoyable.

As we reflect on the success of this gathering, we were reminded of the power of unity and shared vision. The discussions we had and the goals we have set pave the way for a future where we not only meet the challenges of the logistics industry but also redefine its standards.

This meeting was a reminder of what we can achieve together, and it’s with great anticipation that we look forward to the road ahead.

The post Crafting Our Future: A Look Back at the Annual Logistics Country Managers Meeting 2024 appeared first on OMA Group.

On July 3rd, the Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lifted the economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali earlier this year. ECOWAS Commission President Jean Claude Kassi Brou told a news conference that the sanctions will be lifted immediately. Borders with Mali will reopen and regional diplomats will return to Bamako.  Read the full story from Reuters here.

Due to its strategic location, Dakar port is the natural hub to serve Mali and before the sanctions, OMA moved regular traffic from Dakar, particularly to the key gold mining area of Kayes as well as the capital Bamako.  We also arrange transit from cargoes from Abidjan port in Côte d’Ivoire to Bamako, Sikasso and Koutiala.

OMA Logistics offers a one-stop road freight solution to Mali for projects, containers or LCL including:

• All border clearance formalities as required
• Customs clearance in Mali
• Clearance and delivery in Mali from Bamako airport

We are delighted that these routes from both Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are open again.

For more information please contact OMA Logistics Senegal or OMA Logistics Côte d’Ivoire

Night shipments Senegal – Mali

Routes to Mali

The post Mali Borders Re-Open appeared first on OMA Group.

The borders between Mali and all Ecowas countries are now closed so we are unable to service cargo moving from Senegal, Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso into Mali at the current time.  We are monitoring the situation closely and will keep clients informed of any changes.

For urgent cargo we may be able to suggest other short term solutions, in this case please contact us at logistics@omagroup.com

For more information about the background to the closures please see: https://www.africanews.com/2022/01/10/mali-protests-ecowas-sanctions-closes-borders//

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Samad Osman is appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer effective March 2021. As Group COO, Samad is responsible for our business development strategy as well as the successful execution of our growth plans, particularly in logistics, ensuring that we continue to serve and create dynamic, innovative solutions for our customers’ needs.  Samad joined us from Hapag-Lloyd where he was Africa CEO and prior to this held various Director positions in the AP Moller Maersk Group.

OMA Group CEO Gerrit Van der Merwe commented: “We are excited to have Samad join OMA Group. He complements our strong performance-oriented culture, and we believe his impressive reputation for achieving growth makes him the right choice to lead the expansion of our business into the future.”

Charles Sugden is appointed Côte d’Ivoire Country Manager with effect from 1st May. Charles has been successfully running the OMA Senegal office for the last year and his move back to Côte d’Ivoire where he grew up, and most recently worked with APM Terminals, comes at the perfect time to push forward ambitious logistics plans in this fast-growing market.

Kurven Monien is appointed Senegal Country Manager with effect from May 1st. Kurven is a logistics professional whose recent experience in East Africa involved streamlining and implementing strategies on customs clearance, warehousing, and procurement procedures. He has previous experience working with Maersk in Senegal and knows the country well.

The post New Appointments at OMA Group appeared first on OMA Group.

The key to the successful delivery of this operation was OMA’s understanding of the urgency and the ability of our team to react quickly and effectively, from the first response to an email enquiry through to final delivery.

The shipment was not straight forward.  Securing enough space for 85 MT at very short notice with the airline was a challenge while still achieving competitive rates and keeping an eye on the costs – the confirmed booking took place just a few hours after the initial enquiry.

The end result – a smooth operation and a happy client. We are proud of the pro-active response of our team who used their knowledge and experience to fast-track this operation, as well as demonstrating their commitment (over four long days) to ensure deadlines were met.

David Yeung, Country Manager for OMA CI commented  “We are here to make a difference and to revolutionise logistics. Whilst I am delighted with the achievements of our team for this shipment, I am also not surprised as we pride ourselves in offering a unique and tailor-made experience for all of our customers!”

The post Fast Response For Urgent Cargo appeared first on OMA Group.

For the latest information on the virus in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Gambia, Mauritania and Nigeria.

Togo

Please, be informed that from March 3rd, all vessels calling at Lomé offshore and in the port must send the following documents at least 72 hours prior to arrival (in cases where this is not possible documents must be sent immediately on leaving the previous port of call.)

• Crew list must state crew embarkation port/Country and date.
• Maritime Declaration of Health
• Last 10 ports of call

Port Health will attend vessels coming from affected Countries, in order to disinfect the vessel first before any other persons embark to carry out their assigned jobs.

Last updated 3rd March 2020

Benin

COOBJ PORT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19

In the context of the sustainable fight against COVID-19 and the preservation of port users and workers health, Cotonou Port Authority informs that the appearance of the virus is a reality. Indeed, COVID-19 is a virus affecting humans as well as animals and causing acute respiratory infections to humans ranging from mild colds to severe pneumonias which can cause death. It can be transmitted from animal to human or from human to human by air, by inhalation of the volatile virus or in contact with secretions of contaminated objects. Cotonou port being a maritime border which is regularly used by several users and foreigners, the Cotonou Port Authority invites all it staff and users to implement the following preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection in the port.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with hydro alcoholic gel;
• Avoid direct physical contact with sick people;
• Wear a mask or gloves if you go to densely populated areas (boarding formalities);
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crook of your elbow before coughing or sneezing;
• Do not come into contact with objectively sick animals.
• Do not consume undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, raw foods (salads, fruits, raw vegetables) if you cannot be sure that they have been previously washed with decontaminated water;
• Avoid close unprotected contact with people having fever and cough and consult a doctor in case of fever, cough and breathing difficulties.

All port operators (stevedores, shipping agents, forwarding agents, transporters) are invited to implement the above measures in order to preserve the health of their staff and port users to avoid the horrors of this virus.

Last updated 2nd March 2020

Ivory Coast

As from January 29, 2020, before berthing, any vessels calling at Abidjan and San Pedro ports from countries affected by Coronovirus (Covid-19) will be subject to sanitary controls at anchorage by the department of the National Institute of Public Hygiene (INHP).

Visitors arriving by air or by sea from affected areas must complete two weeks of observed quarantine on arrival.

Notice from the port :CONTROLES SANITAIRES MARITIMES AU PAA COURRIER PAA 681 DU 5 FEVRIER 2020

Last updated 20th February 2020

Senegal

The Shipping Agent or Captain must inform the port authorities of the ETA and last port of call of any vessel. If a vessel is arriving from an affected area it will be held at anchorage for inspection and screening and to quarantine any affected crew.

It is our understanding that quarantine rules for the port are in the pipeline, but to date there are no official quarantine rules excepting that all vessels must transit through Dakar port before joining inland ports (Local Maritime Affairs Department).

Last updated 20th February 2020

The post Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update appeared first on OMA Group.

OMA is the sole distributor in Côte d’Ivoire for Clariant Container Dri® II dessicants which protect cargo from the damaging effects of moisture during shipping and transport.

Clariant’s Container Dri® portfolio offers a broad line of container desiccants that offer versatile protection against damaging humidity and moisture during intermodal transport. Available in bags, poles and strips, these industry-leading products absorb up to three times their weight in moisture and trap it as a thick gel that will not spill or drip.

The World Cashew Convention is jointly organised by cashewinfo.com and Association of Cashew Exporters, Cote d’Ivoire (AEC-CI). Cotton and Cashew nut Board of Cote d’Ivoire (CCA) is the host country partner of the conference.

Côte d’Ivoire is well poised to produce one million tons of raw cashew nuts soon. It has also scaled up its raw cashew processing capacity to over 200,000 tons per annum and at present, processes about 60,000 tons.  West Africa in total produces close to 1.6 million tons of raw cashew every year.

Given this, it is an ideal opportunity to bring the global cashew industry to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire just before the commencement of the season (which starts in February).

The post OMA Côte d’Ivoire at World Cashew Convention appeared first on OMA Group.

The expeditionary fast transport ship arrived in Dakar in early July for the first of several port calls, as part of the vessel’s Africa Partnership Station (APS) deployment to the Gulf of Guinea. Naval and coastguard personnel from several countries, including Italy, Portugal, Spain and the USA were on board, working in conjunction with partners from around the region.

Detailed planning was required and conducted well in advance of the port calls to ensure everything proceeded as smoothly and efficiently as possible following the vessel’s arrival in Dakar, Tema, Takoradi and Abidjan. In addition to responding to requests in a timely and proactive manner, OMA offices also arranged the necessary fendering required for such a specialist vessel, provided local communications facilities for the crew, trash removal, transport and stores & provisions, and of course assistance to complete port formalities. A reception was held on board the vessel for distinguished guests.

APS is a maritime cooperation programme which focuses on maritime safety and security. A number of exercises and operations are conducted by U.S., European, and African partners in the area. OMA appreciated the opportunity to participate in a small way to ensure the deployment was a success and to support the excellent work being done to keep our waters safe.

The post Keeping the Gulf of Guinea Safe appeared first on OMA Group.

Intermodal shipments of cocoa beans can be subject to “container rain”.  A combination of  day-to-night temperature fluctuations, en-route delays, high water content in the beans, or containers with wooden floors all combine to trap ambient moisture inside the shipping container. This leads to condensation, causing a raining effect — hence the nickname “container rain” which leads to damaged cocoa beans.

A recent shipment of  cocoa beans on behalf of a global customer and manufacturer of high quality chocolate transported 20,000 mt of cocoa beans from Côte d’Ivoire.  10,000mt was protected by Container Dri® II cargo desiccant blankets, and 10,000mt with an alternative drying agent.

The results were an incredible 90% reduction in damage.

With alternative drying agents:
11.5% of the cocoa suffered humidity damage – the equivalent of 1150 mt of cocoa

With Container Dri 11
1.7% of the cocoa suffered humidity damage, just 170 mt

The client was delighted and the figures speak for themselves.. It doesn’t make sense to use anything else.

Download the case study here: Cocoa-Bean-Case-History-Container-Dri-Desiccant-EN

Or for more information go to:  OMA CI – Clairant

The post 90% Reduction in Cocoa Humidity damage appeared first on OMA Group.

All cargo to be shipped on or after 15th February 2019 must go through the VOC procedure and be imported to Cote d’Ivoire with a Certificate Of Conformity (CoC) or they will be rejected by Customs and penalties applied.

All cargo shipped and Bills of Lading / Airway Bills issued before 05/02/19 will not be submitted to the verification conformity process.

For more information please email OMA Côte d’Ivoire Logistics Department

Download the document here: AVIS aux importateurs de Marchandises en RCI nlle phase pilote du progra…

Details on the Verification of Conformity Programme can be found below.

The Government of Côte d’Ivoire has implemented a Verification of Conformity Programme for all goods imported into Côte d’Ivoire with a FOB value equal to or above  XOF 1 million – approx. EUR 1,500.
Prior to cargo loading, shippers must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from one of the organisations mentioned below who have been appointed by the Ivorian Ministry of Commerce:

• Bureau Veritas (BIVAC BV)
• Cotecna
• Intertek International Limited
• Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS)

The penalty for non conformity will be 50% of cargo value + confiscation and destruction of goods at the expense of the importers.

The post Important Notice for All Shipments to Côte d’Ivoire appeared first on OMA Group.