By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
African Bulk (AB) Shipping Limited, a Ghanaian-owned dry bulk shipping and logistics company, has taken a significant step toward bridging Africa’s shipping gap by securing two vessels through strategic investment from Indian partners.
The move aims to address critical shipping limitations in West Africa and enhance the region’s capacity for mineral transshipment. It also underscores African Bulk’s commitment to enhancing intra-African trade and strengthening maritime mobility in West Africa.
The agreement was finalised at “The Shipping Tribune” 2025, India’s premier maritime summit, where AB Shipping showcased the vast opportunities in West Africa’s dry bulk cargo trade.
Addressing Africa’s shipping gap
With Africa’s growing demand for efficient and cost-effective shipping solutions, African Bulk’s new vessels will bolster regional trade connectivity, reduce dependency on foreign shipping lines, and lower logistics costs for businesses across West Africa.
Chief Executive Officer of AB Shipping, and Paramount Chief for Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, in his presentation at the summit, titled “Opportunities in Dry Bulk Cargo Seaborne Trade in West Africa,” captivated several investors who were eager to bring investments into the sub-region.
The Ghanaian Business Mogul signed two important deals in India, underlining a partnership to introduce two new shipping vessels into the territorial waters of West Africa.
Speaking to the Business and Financial Times (B&FT), he said, “The partnership with Indian investors reflects growing international confidence in Africa’s maritime potential. The vessels will enhance cargo capacity, reduce delays, and improve supply chain efficiency in West Africa.
“With these new vessels, we are not only addressing critical logistical challenges but also enhancing the attractiveness of the extractives industry to investors and demonstrating the vast opportunities in Africa’s maritime sector.”
The ships will primarily service key routes, facilitating the transport of bulk commodities such as mineral resources, especially iron ore, manganese, and bauxite, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.
AB Shipping, specialised in ‘Dry Bulk Transshipment,’ ‘Inland and Coastal Barging,’ and ‘Dry Bulk Port Operations,’ holds the record as the first-ever to carry out Capesize and Newcastlemax bauxite transshipment in Sierra Leone. It seeks to add the new vessels to the conveyance of precious minerals across the sub-region.
Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, citing data from ‘Mysteel Bauxite & Alumina Monthly,’ for March 2025, elaborated that China’s total bauxite imports in 2024 were up 12.4 percent to 159 million tonnes, of which 69 percent, representing 110 million tonnes, came from Guinea and 25 percent from Australia.
The data also projected that from January to March 2025, total bauxite imports for China may be around 180 million tonnes, an increase of 13 percent.
These statistics, he emphasised, are not just numbers but an indication of the rich mineral potential in the sub-region, hence the need for the Indians to seize the opportunity to advance investment in the sub-region through partnerships.
Soaring demand for commodities opens up mining and shipping investment
With opportunities spanning infrastructure, mining, energy, origination, value addition, and trading, the CEO urged investors to leverage existing partners in the field to create opportunities for local companies and personnel.
West Africa is rich in mineral resources, with countries such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Senegal all possessing huge commercial quantities of minerals.
However, infrastructure, such as power, rail and sea transport in potential mining areas, is largely non-existent, or it is deteriorated and inefficient to meet the needs of mining companies and other potential users, presenting opportunities for sustainable investment.
The CEO emphasised that inland waterways development is very crucial because it can move greater cargo in a shorter time, and reduce local agitations due to road deterioration.
China’s Role
CEO of Adhira Shipping & Logistics (ASL), Capt. Pappu Sastry, a partner to AB Shipping, also speaking at the Asia Dry Bulk Cargo Summit, stated that, despite China’s dominant position in securing commodities across Africa, there are still many opportunities to invest in mines, bulk markets and logistics services.
The continuing increase in demand for bauxite and other commodities in China and India means that export volumes of many minerals are rising in West Africa.
In 2015, exports of bauxite from Guinea to China were 300,000 tonnes; in 2025, the forecast is that the figure will be 145 million tonnes.
“For a bauxite mine of 500 sq. kms, there is an investment of between US$5 million and US$10 million and when it comes to production, we can help structure finance so that Capex can be converted into Opex. If you can control your bauxite, you can control your shipping,” he said.
