JV with Rafeek & Moore to Target South American Country's Booming Project Market
Project cargo specialist Bertling Logistics has formed a new joint venture in Guyana with local freight forwarder Rafeek & Moore.
The JV, named Rafeek & Moore Bertling Logistics, will jointly explore the “many business opportunities” in the South American country’s oil and gas, mining and infrastructure sectors, Bertling said in a statement.
The JV, which began operations on October 1, is being led by Colin Moore at Rafeek & Moore and Steve Ross-Munro at Bertling, with headquarters at the Guyanese firm’s office in the Port of Georgetown.
Colin MacIsaac, CEO at Bertling Logistics, said Guyana and the surrounding countries had been on the company’s radar “for years”.
“Rafeek & Moore's skilled team, high quality local services and extensive local network are well known in Guyana,” continues Colin. “We are confident that our new JV will establish a leading position in Guyana and that we will be ideally positioned to adequately respond to and serve the logistics needs arising from the ongoing energy transition.”
Perched on the northern tip of South America, the former British colony of Guyana has emerged over the last decade as one of the world’s most exciting hotspots for offshore oil and gas, and a mine of wealth for companies involved in handling project cargo.
ExxonMobil, the main player in the region, announced in August plans to spend another US$13 billion to develop the Whiptail field, its sixth offshore project in Guyana. The U.S. oil major is aiming to deploy six floating production, storage and offloading, or FPSO, vessels in Guyanese waters by the end of 2027.
According to Bertling, the country is poised for “significant economic growth and development”, while its proximity to both South American and Caribbean markets makes it a “strategic hub for trade and commerce”.
In a bid to stimulate domestic industry, the government has introduced strict local content laws, meaning international operators must seek out Guyanese partners before setting up business.
Bertling Logistics is a regular exhibitor at Breakbulk events.
The next event in the calendar is Breakbulk Middle East 2024, taking place on 12-13 February at the Dubai World Trade Center in the UAE. Tickets for the region’s premier show for breakbulk and project cargo are now available.
TOP PHOTO: Operations at John Fernandes Port in Guyana. CREDIT: Bertling Logistics
