On the 16th of April, at 0700hrs, the magnificent cruise ship arrived and set sail again at 1800hrs on the same day. During this full turnaround call, we welcomed 14 new passengers on board, while 85 passengers disembarked to explore the vibrant city of Tema. Additionally, 34 lucky travellers departed for a transit call in Takoradi on the 17th of April. To ensure their convenience, OMA arranged shuttle buses to transport passengers to city centres and various tour sites in collaboration with a trusted tour company.

We went above and beyond by providing visa support services and airport assistance for those embarking and disembarking, ensuring a smooth journey for all. This memorable visit marked the maiden expedition of the SH Vega to the enchanting West African coast, and OMA is honoured to have handled the agency service with the utmost professionalism.

The calls at both Tema and Takoradi ports were nothing short of amazing, leaving us with delightful memories. We are eagerly looking forward to another incredible experience next year! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and cruise adventures.

The post Historic Return of MV SH Vega appeared first on OMA Group.

With effect from 25 October 2022, the Freeport of Monrovia has lifted the beam and draft restrictions which were previously implemented by way of NPA memo number 222, dated 10 August 2022. Following dredging operations, the maximum permitted beam is restored to 32 metres and the maximum permitted draft is restored to 10 metres.

Source; Freeport of Monrovia memo dated 24 October 2022.

For information about OMA’s ship agency operations in West Africa please contact info@omagroup.com. If quoting any information from OMA media, please credit OMA as the source.

The post Port of Monrovia Update appeared first on OMA Group.

Draft of 9.5 metres
Beam of 28 metres

These restrictions will remain in force until the dredging has been completed.

NPA Liberia Memo 100822

The post Monrovia port – draft restrictions appeared first on OMA Group.

MACN and its members promote good corporate practice in the maritime industry for tackling bribes, facilitation payments and other forms of corruption. MACN collaborates with key stakeholders, including governments and international organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to identify and mitigate the root causes of corruption in the maritime industry.

Neale Proctor, OMA Group Commercial Director  commented:
“Through our presence and experience in West Africa, we hope to contribute constructively and positively, as part of MACN’s mission to promote good corporate practice in the maritime industry. Being part of this initiative not only gives us the opportunity to share challenges and solutions with like-minded and committed organisations, but it also gives us comfort in knowing that we are part of a mindset keen to develop our strategically important industry, which lies at the heart of global trade.”

The post OMA Joins the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) 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.

During their call in Tema, OMA arranged fresh water, technical supplies, food and provisions for the company on board.  Whilst the visitors were on shore we arranged bus transport for them to visit an orphanage home in the eastern region of Ghana, daily visits into Accra to visit places of interest and lastly a visit to the Italian Ambassadors’ residence the night before departure.

We were happy to effect a smooth and we hope enjoyable call at Tema and hope to repeat the experience when they next visit.    

The post Italian Navy call in Ghana appeared first on OMA Group.

Stanislas is an experienced sales & marketing professional with over 12 years experience predominantly in the shipping industry. He has masters degrees in both Marketing and communication and Strategy and operation management and began his career with the AP Moller Maersk Group. Most recently Stanislas worked with Sharaf Shipping and German company KG-MTI as Manager of the Cotonou office with responsibility for West Africa.

Gildas Atindehou, Country Manager commented: “We are delighted to have Stanislas onboard who will be working closely with our principals, Hapag-Lloyd, to develop their business in both Benin and Niger.”

The post New Liner Manager for OMA Benin appeared first on OMA Group.

Please find below:

Ghana Ports & Harbour Authority – Tariff CIrcular (effective 1/4/18)

Ghana Ports & Harbour Authority – 2018 Tariff (effective 1/4/18)

Ghana Ports & Harbour Authority – 2018 Tariff amendments (effective 1/4/18)

For any questions, please email OMA Ghana Operations Department

The post Revised Ghana Port Tariffs appeared first on OMA Group.

Warmest greetings. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself, the shipping services we at OMA provide to our customers and my role as the Group Sales & Commercial Director.

My association with West Africa began in 2008 when I moved to Lagos, Nigeria. It was there that I experienced what were probably some of my greatest and most interesting business challenges, managing companies involved in shipping, logistics, marine and manpower services. To say I learnt a lot, would probably be an understatement! Nonetheless, West Africa was in my blood and there it has stayed ever since.

Today, I have the good fortune to do work which not only allows me to interact with customers on a daily basis, but which also requires that I travel across West Africa from our head office in the Ghanaian capital, Accra to Mauritania in the north, through Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and across into Togo, Benin and Cameroon.

From the outside looking into the region, the challenges may appear daunting, but from the inside looking out, there are huge opportunities for those who have the courage to make a long-term commitment to West Africa.

At OMA we are extremely proud of our 30+ years history, from humble beginnings in Togo in the 1980s, to where we are today as a leading, independent shipping, logistics and oil & gas support services operator in West Africa. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, our local knowledge & expertise and being responsive to customers’ needs. It’s all thanks to colleagues, who together, form a team of dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate individuals who are prepared to go that extra mile for the customer. We are undoubtedly a people business.

Our range of shipping services includes liner agency, general ships agency, protective agency and vessel husbandry. If it floats and carries people, and/or cargo, we can handle it!

Thanks to long-standing, trustworthy relationships developed with port authorities, customs, immigration, quarantine and port state control officials, port calls can be handled quickly and efficiently.

In Liner Agency, we are proud of our long association with one of the largest global container lines, Hapag-Lloyd. Since 2008, we have looked after Hapag-Lloyd’s interests in Benin & Togo and subsequently in the Ivory Coast. This year marked the start of our joint venture with Hapag-Lloyd in Ghana.

Our General Ships Agency service offers customers a full agency service provided by OMA’s team of professional and competent colleagues at every port and terminal in the countries in which OMA, and its partners, have a presence. All vessel types can be handled, including tankers, break-bulk, dry bulk, cruise, military, offshore supply vessels, ro-ro and project vessels. Since 2012, OMA has been the GAC Group global network agent in Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast and handled vessels for leading operators such as BP and Shell, amongst many others.

For customers wanting peace of mind when their vessels call at ports in West Africa, and who also want to be safe in the knowledge that their interests are being fully protected, OMA provides Protective Agency and Vessel Husbandry services. Whether it be the timely delivery of urgent spare parts, crew change arrangements, emergency medical assistance, customs clearance for temporary importation of offshore units, OMA is there to help.

I often say I have the best job in the world! In my role as the Group Sales & Commercial Director, it is my responsibility to develop relationships with existing customers and establish business relationships with new customers. It is not a job I do alone however. All colleagues at OMA are sales people. I believe that if you’re happy, dedicated and interested in your work, selling the OMA brand becomes second nature to everyone, because it is a brand we are all proud to be part of.

Getting to know customers the world over and their individual requirements is really quite fascinating. With marketing resources in Europe and the Far East, an OMA person is never too far away for a face to face meeting.

In 2017, OMA Group handled just under 8000 agency appointments at the various ports and terminals in the countries where it has a presence. One minute it’s dealing with a ship’s spares delivery in the port of Tema, the next minute it’s preparing for the arrival of a Navy ship at Cotonou and then in the middle of it all, there’s a medical evacuation off Senegal. We understand solid business relationships are built on consistently good service and trust, and we know they take time to develop. We are patient and most importantly, we listen to what our customers have to say.

Every customer, no matter how big or how small, is important to us; each has direct access not only to operations colleagues for routine matters, but also to the Country Managers and to myself for more complex or sensitive issues. It is our desire to develop relationships as customers and their businesses grow. We want to be part of our customers’ success!

It’s early 2018, but already I have high hopes that this year will be another good year for OMA in West Africa, despite mixed opinions on the outlook for the global economy. We already know we will be handling some interesting port calls, some of which will be for new customers.

With the settlement of the maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Ivory Coast, we expect to see an increase in offshore activity in both countries. The MSGBC Basin (Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea Bissau-Conakry) looks set to see further offshore activity with Senegal strategically positioned to take full advantage of developments there. Cruise vessels will once again make a return to West Africa and with them, the passengers and their spending-power that the economies of West Africa welcome.

Neale Proctor

One thing is for sure; 2018 will be an exciting year for everyone at OMA as we look to grow our existing shipping services business and we develop new related services which our customers have asked for. Our plans for the future, both short term and long term continue to evolve and will be highlighted in future newsletters.

To all our valued customers far and wide, I would like to say a big thank you for your support. It really is

very much appreciated. To our new customers, I offer you a very warm welcome to the OMA Group. I hope you will take the time to get to know us and enjoy your “voyage” with us.

The post Focus on Shipping appeared first on OMA Group.

More infomation here

From 15th January the Cotonou Port Authority has made it compulsory for all vessels departing Cotonou to perform a stowaway search.

For more information please contact OMA Benin Operations

The post Cotonou Port News appeared first on OMA Group.