Bolloré Logistics teams have recently secured two key cement plant construction projects in Nigeria and South Africa with one of the largest cement plant production companies in China.
Unicem Nigeria is a joint venture between Lafarge Africa PLC, Holcim, Dangote and Flour Mills to construct and operate a 6,000 tonne per day clinker and cement line in South West Nigeria, near the Calabar Port.
With the shipment of 12 break bulk vessels to the Calabar Port, completed by more than 5,000 truck round trips from the port to the construction site, the Unicem project involved the movement of 500 TEUs and 150,000 freight tonnes of project cargo, which was successfully managed by Bolloré Logistics teams in China and in Nigeria. However, the project also entailed the transport of out of gauge cargo – cement mills – weighing 125 metric tonnes each. Two multi-axle hydraulic trailers were used to transport these 14 pieces of cargo in one shipment. A preliminary road survey and subsequent adjustments to the road infrastructure quality were critical to make this transport a success.
“Bolloré Logistics’ global presence, backed by its experience, infrastructure and relationships in Africa, along with our commitment to growth on the continent, is what provides our customers with cost-effective and reliable end-to-end logistics solutions,” says Jean-Christophe Tranchepain, country head of Bolloré Logistics Nigeria.
PPC, the leading supplier of cement in Southern Africa has entrusted to the same Chinese company the supply of EPC services. This project involved the construction of a 3,000 tonne per day clinker production line, located in Lichtenburg, in South Africa’s North West province. This operation which started in August 2015 is expected to be completed within 25 months.
Bolloré Logistics secured the break bulk sea transportation and inland transport of the construction material and cement plant equipment cargo. To date, 200 TEUs have been moved to the site and 45,000 freight tonnes of cargo have been transported from Jingtang and Tianjin port to the plant site in South Africa.
