OBT Shipping Group functions as a privately owned maritime logistics and port agency organization with a distinct operational footprint spanning West and Central Africa. Established in 2004, the company maintains its strategic headquarters in Denmark, coordinating a network of subsidiary offices situated throughout the African continent. The group focuses on providing comprehensive support to vessel operators, ship owners, and charterers navigating the often complex regulatory and logistical environments of African ports.
The core of OBT Shipping Group’s activities revolves around ship agency services. When vessels call at ports within their extensive service network—which includes key maritime hubs in nations such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Cameroon—the company acts as the primary liaison between the ship and onshore authorities. This role encompasses the coordination of pilotage, tugs, and berthing, ensuring that incoming tonnage complies with local maritime regulations. Beyond standard port calls, the group manages intricate husbandry duties, facilitating crew changes, medical assistance, and the delivery of ship spares and provisions, which are critical for maintaining vessel operational readiness in these specific geographic regions.
Logistics and stevedoring represent another significant pillar of the organization’s work. The group oversees the physical handling of cargo, including loading and discharging operations for diverse commodities. Their operational scope covers dry bulk, bagged cargo, and liquid bulk, alongside specialized capabilities for project cargo and heavy-lift shipments. To support these movements, OBT Shipping Group maintains inland transport and warehousing infrastructure, extending the supply chain from the quayside to final inland destinations. This includes customs clearance and freight forwarding services that integrate sea freight with land-based distribution networks.
The company services a wide variety of vessel classes, including bulk carriers, tankers, roll-on/roll-off ships, and cruise liners. Furthermore, they provide specialized logistics support for naval and military vessels operating in the region. By integrating Danish management principles with an established physical presence in West Africa, the group addresses the specific challenges associated with developing markets, such as infrastructure limitations, serving as a vital node in the maritime trade routes connecting the globe to the African coast.
