Chevron Marine Lubricants will boost its presence in African ports after extending its joint venture with Akwa Group. Chevron is now an equal partner in Afriquia Lubrifiants, with plans to extend the blending, distribution, and marketing business beyond Morocco to markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
The enhanced agreement enables the joint venture to manufacture Chevron’s premium products locally for the first time, including Chevron Marine Lubricants’ product portfolio.
Driven by research and development, the integration of Chevron’s high-end formulas will allow for improved logistics cycles with better delivery times and better inventory management, as well as boosting the range of products available in the region.
Mostapha Miri, Managing Director of Afriquia Lubrifiants division, said: “The new agreement allows the integration of the high-end formulas of Chevron Marine Lubricants into local production, the export from Morocco of the range to 14 countries in Africa, the construction in the kingdom of an African hub for the marketing of lubricants and the implementation of a new production and logistics platform. With this agreement, Afriquia Lubricants consolidates its expertise and reputation as a preferred supplier.”
The new roadmap includes the export of lubricant products to 14 countries in North and West Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Tunisia, Senegal, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea Conakry, Benin, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chevron Marine Lubricants products will be available in ports across these countries.
Sotiris Meklis, Regional Manager, Mediterranean & MEA Region from Chevron Marine Lubricants, said: “Extending this partnership gives Chevron Marine Lubricants better access to several important and rapidly growing ports. Increased coverage in the region will make lubricant logistics even more convenient and comprehensive, further simplifying business for our customers.”
To support export plans, a platform to service premium quality base oils to North and West Africa will be commissioned at Jorf Lasfar in Morocco. The facility will be to receive high-capacity vessels and export formulas from isotanks and flexitanks. The hub will be connected to the wharf through two pipelines.
The new agreement between Chevron and Akwa Group strengthens an alliance originally formed in 2000’s.
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