Linsen Nambi Bunker Services launched on 1 October 2018, kicking of Transport Month in South Africa. This was a momentous occasion for the country, as the owners made history by becoming the first black shipowners in South Africa.
The company was founded in 2012 by childhood friends Durand Naidoo and Thuso Mhlambi. They initially started as shipbrokers, but had bigger dreams of owning their own ships. These dreams were realised in 2018, when they acquired a bunker services company from Grindrod, including three oil tankers.
In an interview with SABC, Thuso Mhlambi said “Last year we started a drive to purchase a company, as that is the only way to make real impact, by scaling up”.
Linsen Nambi Bunker Services currently employs over 100 South Africans at sea. In the interview Durand Naidoo said, “That a lot of people would feel a sense of accomplishment but for us it’s really a start . The maritime industry still has a long way to transform and I believe it’s an industry that can open a lot of doors especially for employment.”
The company currently transports oil in the Durban and Cape Town ports and is looking to expand; first into Africa, and then the world – one step at a time!
