Worldwide economic development and impact on the port industry

SPC Cone Fender System | Bulk Terminal | Mozambique

Africa  – a focus market

Our products ensure safe operations for the shipping industry. Especially in emerging regions one can nowadays discover a spirit of optimism with regards to port development and increasing trade opportunities. One of these regions is the African continent – a focus market for ShibataFenderTeam. 

The African continent shows a lot of activities and upcoming port development or expansion projects. ShibataFenderTeam has always been very active in this market and strategically considers it as a focus market with a high potential. During the last years we executed several projects all over the continent, e.g. Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, or Nigeria.

Already 10 years ago we were active in Nigeria with the delivery of Extruded Fenders for a shell terminal in Gbaran-Ubie. The Bulk Terminal at MRS Jetty in Tin Can Island, Lagos was later on equipped with our SPC Cone Fenders. 

The project with the Port of Maputo was completed recently. We delivered fender systems for their access channel. The project was designed to extend the quay by a 8.5 meters offset, while the existing berth pocket was deepened to -15.4 meters below Chart Datum to accommodate fully-laden Panamax vessels.

No matter where in the world, our clients always have a competent contact person within reach, thanks to our global network. We have very close ties with our existing network of sales agents throughout the world and also in Africa. This enables us to maintain very close relationships with clients and port authorities, which have become very trustful over the last years. Regular visits and trade shows in the region have improved the relation with key entities and decision makers.

In March 2018, we participated in an exhibition and conference in Beira, Mozambique. Many participants visited our booth with specific requests. This confirms our very good standing in the fender market and as well our intensive public relation and successful marketing activities in Africa over the last years. Extensive conversations about port developments and our recent and upcoming installations at Berth 1 TCM and Mozal Berth in Matola, Mozambique, gave us the chance to show our commitment to the market. As one of the world's leading fender specialists, we consider it our responsibility to do our part for the industry by sharing our know-how with engineers and end users alike.

ShibataFenderTeam acts as a real industry partner. We do not only manufacture and deliver excellent products, we also offer extensive consulting and engineering expertise, we are available for after sales services and especially to offer training and seminars for clients. One topic which has become more and more important over the last years is maintenance of fender systems. That was the main focus during the exhibition in Mozambique. Besides imparting knowledge, we also offer training for maintenance crews of ports to enhance their skills and to prepare them to take care of modern fender systems. When fender systems lack a certain amount of maintenance and care, the risk of failure increases every day. Failures on fenders followed by cost and time intensive replacement works could be prevented at many steps of the design and production process. A comprehensive maintenance regime and maintenance plan for every fender system is indispensable to provide a safe environment for the shipping industry.

Cope with tariffs on steel imports

Our office in the US covers all markets in the Americas with several sales representatives in the corresponding regions. The threat of a trade war between the US, China and probably also Europe, will affect worldwide trade and customers alike.
 
The tariffs will lead to higher prices for our clients and ultimately for local tax payers. Fender manufacturers, as well as any other industry in competitive markets, have no choice than passing on any additional cost. So far, our products are not affected by the import tariffs, but that might change in this fast pace environment. SFT has the option to shift production locations within its network in favor of our clients. For example, production capacities could be increased at our own facility in Germany, where we produce foam fenders, steel panels, HD-PE sliding fenders and hardware.

By owning steel production facilities we are well-positioned – not only for exceptional circumstances like looming import tariffs, but also for origin requirements like steel panels made in Europe. Besides the opening of a rubber compound mixing facility in Malaysia in 2018, we will see also the expansion of our steel production plant in Germany which enables us to further increase the production capacity and be prepared and competitive for our client.