SPEAKER PROFILES

Senior Bunker Manager, Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co. KG

I am a 46 year old South African woman who started in the Bunker Industry in February 1999 at Cockett Marine SA with Maria Tierney as Director.  Initially my position there was that of Office Administrator.  I was intrigued by what this company did. I got to know all the customers and all the suppliers and in this way, the company gave me the opportunity to further pursue my interests in Bunker Trading. I did what everyone else did, attended the Oxford Bunker Course, the Bunker Experience in Rotterdam and continued learning from Maria. In 2007 I took on another challenge and moved to the Former OW Bunker and there became Senior Bunker Trader until I took over as Director from Jesper Jervild. I remained at OW Bunker until the dreadful day in November of 2014. In 2015 I made the decision to leave SA and moved to Dubai where I accepted another challenge together with Morten Kure Hansen and started Prima Marine DMCC however this lasted until end 2016 and as luck would have it, I got snatched up by Oldendorff Carriers where I have now been for the last 6 years. Currently I report to Jens Maul and I am Senior Bunker Purchaser for the Hamburg Bunker Desk at Oldendorff Carriers.

CEO, ATH Trading

Over 14 years’ experience in Angola. Started career working for a Swiss wealth management firm in Madrid, after that he founded and lead VIG World for 13 years, a company with its focus in Angola which developed and invested in different sectors such as mining, energy, and trading. He has recently spin-off from this venture to start his sole project, ATH, which aims to become the first private trading house of Angola with the objective to position Angolan commodities into the world and make strategic investments in companies and ventures in the Angolan oil and gas sector. Jorge holds a bachelor’s degree in BA and finance granted by the America University of Paris.

Global Head if Bunkering, TFG Marine

Kenneth Dam joined Trafigura’s fuel oil team in 2017 and in May 2019 became Co-Head of its newly formed bunkering team. In 2020, Kenneth was appointed Global Head of Bunkering for TFG Marine, a joint venture created between Trafigura and ship owning companies Frontline and Golden Ocean to supply quality marine fuels to ship owners at global strategic bunkering hubs.

Before joining Trafigura, from 2011 to 2016, Kenneth worked for Monjasa and played a key role in developing its West Africa bunkering operations. Before entering the marine fuel supply and shipping industry, Kenneth was a financial advisor for leading Danish financial services company Nykredit.

TFG Marine is a leading international marine fuel supply and procurement joint venture between physical commodity trading company Trafigura Group Pte and ship owning companies Frontline Ltd and Golden Ocean Group Ltd. Formed in 2020, the company provides modern, simplified and transparent services that bridge every stage of the bunkering process for its customers, supplying over 10 million metric tonnes of marine fuels per annum across 35 strategic bunkering hub locations globally.

Technical Consultant, Lecturer and Author

Nigel Draffin has been involved in shipping for over 50 years and in bunkering for over 25 years. He joined Shell Tankers in 1966, serving on all classes of vessel, including VLCCs and LNG tankers. In 1979, he joined the newbuilding department of Shell International Marine and later transferred to Shell’s R&D unit, specialising in control systems, fuel combustion and safety systems.

In 1986, Nigel moved to the commercial department as a bunker buyer and economics analyst, two years later becoming Head of Operational Economics, responsible for all of the fuel purchased for the Shell fleet. In 1996, he joined E. A. Gibson Shipbrokers which, in 2006, merged with US-based broking house LQM Petroleum Services, where he was Senior Broker and Technical Manager. He retired from LQM in July 2015.

Nigel is a founder member of IBIA, serving several times on its council of management, the board and as its Chairman. Nigel has written 10 books on bunkering, shipping and marine lubes published by Petrospot, and is Director of the Petrospot Academy. Nigel is a member of IMarEST and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers.

Marine Services Executive, African Marine Solutions (AMSOL)

Vice President of the African Harbour Master’s Committee Board Members (AHMC) & Harbour Master, Transnet National Ports Authority

Executive MBA, Freeport Saldanha Industrial Development Zone

Benedicta Durcan is a seasoned professional with 20 years’ experience across both private and public sectors. Her maritime experience began with 7 years in the offshore oil and gas industry having worked on exploration projects across the globe with Schlumberger. She moved onshore to work with Maersk Line South Africa, where she gained experience in the shipping sub-sector.

For the last 8 years, she has worked at Executive Management level for Freeport Saldanha (previously named the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone), a Special Economic Zone with an original mandate in the Oil and Gas sector and a subsequent mandate in Maritime and Energy. As the Executive Head of the Ease of Doing Business she is acutely aware of the steps that must be taken to reduce red tape and facilitate business growth in South Africa. She has been instrumental in the development of South Africa’s first Freeport with her work in designing and implementing an Ease of Doing Business model for the zone that would make the Freeport Saldanha attractive to the Oil& Gas, Energy and Maritime sector customers and their value chains.

Her background is in Chemical Engineering and she recently graduated from an Executive MBA with UCT GSB. Her thesis focused on the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), with an interest to further explore intra-african trade.

She is a STEM advocate with accolades such as the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans to watch 2017, Science and Technology category and one of the Inspiring Fifty Women in STEM: South Africa in 2018.

Managing Director, Dan-Bunkering Africa Ltd

I have worked in the bunker industry since 2006, all the while focussing on the African bunker market. I have spent many days in barely road-worthy taxis, rushing around traffic congested African cities. Striving tirelessly to find those precious gem’s, those African supplier’s that can get the job done on time and on spec.

Through multiple complexities that the African landscape can present, I have seen many ops and many downs. I still maintain that I have the best job in the world. Every day is different with fresh challenges and opportunities. And the quest to provide long term value for a vision to uplift African ports to meet world standards is something of a personal passion of mine and which continues to sustain me today.

Dr. Evans Itai Mabaso, (Acting) Vice President, New Ventures, PetroSA

He is currently heading the newly established Sustainable Innovation Division tasked to lead PetroSA to a net zero carbon emission and economically sustainable future.
At PetroSA his focus now is to oversee the successful implementation of the Master Plan Contract on the execution of biofuel and green hydrogen production, supported by research and development initiatives.
Mabaso holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. His scholastic training is broad and encompasses a few various areas that fall under heterogeneous catalysis.
Upon joining PetroSA, Dr Mabaso was moved to the LTFT Technology Development team with specific responsibility of providing process engineering support to technology research and development. His work contribution has been a major factor in company’s continued success in the GTL arena.

Mmabatho Matiwane, B-BBEE Manager, PetroSA 

Ms MMABATHO MATIWANE is the current B-BBEE Manager at PetroSA, responsible for ensuring that PetroSA makes an impact on the economic empowerment of its employees and small to medium suppliers in line with B-BBEE objectives.
At PetroSA she continues to facilitate the support of its suppliers by providing business development and financial support. This has now led to supporting the establishment of the South African Women in Oil, Gas and Marine – WOGAM. WOGAM is aimed at growing women’s participation in the Oil, Gas and Marine Industries.
Mmabatho holds various degrees, including a post-graduate degree from UCT in Policy and Administration and a certificate from the KIT royal tropical institute in Amsterdam Holland.
She has extensive experience in the areas of economic development. This includes driving the establishment and implementation of establishing various programs supporting women entrepreneurs and ensuring the appointment of women at both executive and senior management levels as part of the Department of Trade and Industry, (now the dtic).
Her passion for women empowerment has seen her establishing, Managing the South African Women Entrepreneurs Network (SAWEN) and all programs in all 9 provinces with two offices in Cape Town and KZN; Facilitated the Technology for Women in Business Program which supported and celebrated women’s achievements in SA and Facilitated the Establishment of Isavande – A Fund for supporting women (Now Managed by the IDC).
She has been awarded the Finalist Emerging Countries Category: La Tribune is launching the La Tribune Women’s Awards 2011 (France, Paris), the Winner of Leading Women in Supporting and Facilitating the Economic Empowerment of Women in SA Government (2009); the Winner of Top Women in Business and Government, Young Achiever (2005); and Awarded as the dti Phenomenal Women for Leadership on Gender & Transformation (2003).

Deputy Chair, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

Tau Morwe joined Transnet in 1997 and has served as Chief Executive at four of the group’s divisions – Apron Services (Pty) Ltd (a Transnet owned subsidiary), Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and was the first CE of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT).  He was one of the longest serving and most experienced member of the executive committee at Transnet.

In 1998 he was fortunate to be part of the Singapore-Commonwealth Advanced Seminar for Chief Executives of Public Enterprises, a learning that showed first-hand what role state owned companies can play in contributing to and playing a leading role in economic development.  That awoke his passion for learning in developmental state economics.  He applied that knowledge in his work with the government of the Republic of Togo.

He has keen interest in development economics, policy development and implementation, supply chain management, logistics, Management Information Systems (MIS), manufacturing excellence, operations, and business turnaround strategies.  He has held senior positions within companies such as Planters Lifesavers, Shell South Africa, and Nampak Management Services.

Tau has served as a board member on several entities including Kwa-Zulu Natal Trade and Investment, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Commercial Cold Storage (Pty) Ltd, Agriport Partnership (with Viamax (Pty) Ltd, Durban Africa, (eThekwini Unicity’s Tourism Authority), Transnet Heritage Foundation Board of Trustees (chairperson), and recently the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa – PMAESA - (Chairperson).

To quote a Transnet spokesperson – “There are not many people who can say they have been responsible for the ports’ infrastructure of a nation’s entire coastline, but Tau is proudly one of the few.  He strengthened relations among PMAESA member ports and promoted regional cooperation and integration.  Here too, his service was invaluable to our country, ensuring that South Africa continues to play its role in contributing to growing the regional economies.”

He went on early retirement in 2015 and is currently involved in various start-up initiatives. In November 2018 Tau was asked to return to Transnet as Interim Group Chief Executive to assist the stabilisation of the organisation for a period of six months.

Bunker Business Manager, Linsen nambi

Gavin Naidoo has over 20 years industry experience and has been with the company for 14 years. His qualifications include an MBA degree, a BBA degree, SHEQ and Risk Management qualifications and he is currently a Doctoral candidate. He ensures that the crew’s SAMSA and IMO certifications are maintained. He is responsible for ensuring crew training and development is completed efficiently. He is also responsible for ensuring that the vessel is operated safely by a suitably manned, qualified crew, who are able to fulfil the customer’s commercial requirements.

Brent Nartey, Managing Director, Engen Ghana

He is an experienced and consummate oil & energy professional with considerable experience in the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana spanning 16 years. He worked with Engen Ghana from 2005-2012 and held various management positions including the Supply & Distribution Manager, Acting Retail Manager, and Finance Manager. He also had a stint with the International Business Division of Engen Petroleum Ltd, South Africa as a Business process improvement project Manager overseeing BPI projects in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ghana.

He was Business & Finance Manager at Tel Energy Ltd. (2012-2021), where he successfully launched and implemented a number of important strategic initiatives before taking on the role of Acting Managing Director. In June 2021, he was appointed Managing Director of Engen Ghana.

Brent holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana, a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Leicester, and a Master’s degree in Management information systems (MIS) from the Henley Business School, University of Reading. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Business Analyst certified by the BCS Chartered Institute for IT. He is married with three children.

Social, Ethics, Transformation and Sustainability Director, LINSEN NAMBI

Khumo was born in Soweto in 1961, has worked as an anti- apartheid activist, a community development practitioner, currently she is a sought after speaker on the issue of diversity and is the
CEO of Women in Oil and Energy South Africa (WOESA). She serves on several boards, a number of Trusts, including the African Minerals and Energy Foundation.

Chief Director, Maritime Policy and Legislation

Dumisani T Ntuli has played varied roles and served in different positions in government. He was tasked with the re-establishment of the Department of Transport’s maritime portfolio post the establishment of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in the late nineties. He is presently the Chief Director of Policy and Legislation at the Department of Transport
From 2005 to 2015, he served as South Africa’s first Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). During the period he was at the IMO, he served as Vice Chairman of the IMO Council and chaired the Council Working Group on Strategic Plan. He returned in 2015 and was later promoted to the position he now occupies. Since his return he has contributed significantly in maritime policy and maritime legislation reform. Mr Ntuli champions the accelerated implementation of the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) and has been instrumental in the formation of the Maritime Industry Development Network and the Dangerous Goods Supply Chain Task Group. He is the member of the Maritime Law Association of South Africa. He leads efforts of developing South Africa to become an International Maritime Centre by 2030.
He is married and has three daughters and on a lighter note and as a hobby, has published more than twenty-six music albums. A long distance runner.
He holds 4 degrees of which 3 are at Masters Level. He is an Alumni of the London Metropolitan University; University of London (Heythrop College) and most recently of the University of Cape Town.

Global Business Development Manager, Titan (Netherlands)

Régine Portocarero is a young professional with a multidisciplinary background in international relations, political economy, and geopolitics. This is supplemented by professional experiences in the energy business, LNG bunker trading, and global (Bio)LNG projects in the marine segment. Since 2019, Régine works as Global Business Development Manager Marine LNG at Titan.

Chief Executive Officer, Heron Marine South Africa

Kgomotso Selokane is the Chief Executive Officer of Heron Marine South Africa, an Offshore Bunkering operation in South Africa. Heron Marine is a joint-venture between international marine fuels supplier TFG Marine and South African energy company Siren Ltd which brings together two companies with solid regional and international credentials and complementary strengths in marine fuel trading and distribution.
Formed in 2020, Heron Marine provides modern, simplified and transparent services that bridge every stage of the bunkering process for its customers, supplying over 500,000 metric tonnes of competitively priced and regulatory compliant marine fuels per annum across five strategic bunkering hub locations along the Cape Route.
Before entering the marine fuel supply and shipping industry, Kgomotso was the technical advisor to the South African National Department of Transport on the alignment of all Transport sub-sector scorecards to the revised B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. She was also the Interim CEO of the Petroleum Liquid Fuels Charter and technical advisor to the South African National Department of Minerals Resources and Energy on the alignment and drafting of the B-BBEE Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Sector Codes.
TFG Marine is a leading international marine fuel supply and procurement joint venture between physical commodity trading company Trafigura Group Pte and ship owning companies Frontline Ltd and Golden Ocean Group Ltd. Formed in 2020, the company provides modern, simplified and transparent services that bridge every stage of the bunkering process for its customers, supplying over 10 million metric tonnes of marine fuels per annum across 35 strategic bunkering hub locations globally.

CEO, South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA)

Adrian was Director of the Centre for Open Learning at the University of Cape Town where he also served on the UCT Senior Staff Management Group and Higher Education Development Committee.  Prior to UCT, he held positions at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (previously Peninsula Technikon) for 17 years, where he was Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Senior Lecturer and Lecturer respectively.  Adrian was employed in the FET College sector for several years, as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer and worked in the City Engineer’s Department of the City of Cape Town as a Professional Assistant.

He lead a number of significant local and international projects such as; Project Director of an Australian/South African Technology Development Project, Vice Chair of the DHET Adult Education Standard Generating Body nationally, established Learning Circles in prisons, lead research in a Ford Foundation funded skills project. Adrian was Chair of South African Presidential Phakisa work group on offshore skills and represents the South African Minister of Higher Education on the Northlink College Council as Chairman.  He serves on the Advisory Boards of SAIMI and the Oil and Gas Community of Practice (COP), based at Nelson Mandela and Wits universities respectively.

Adrian is a life-long learner. His first qualification was in Civil Engineering.  In addition to which he holds degrees in Psychology, Economics, Education and Business Administration from UNISA and the University of Stellenbosch, Business School respectively.  He is a trained life coach.  He completed a Project Management Certificate at Nelson Mandela University.

Senior Trader, Addax Energy SA

Stanislas Violet studied at Grenoble Management School, achieving a Master’s in Finance and Management in 2010. He started his career in 2009 as bunker broker at Socomet Bunkering, becoming a partner in 2013. He moved to Addax in April 2014 as a bunker trader and was tasked with launching Las Palmas terminal bunker operations in December 2014. Violet then took on the role of fuel oil trader in September 2021 and is now taking care of the bunker desk and also cargo fuel sales and purchasing for Addax on the West Africa desk.

Marine and Aviation Manager, Vivo Energy

My career has been quite unusual as I took different paths over the years. The choices were all motivated by curiosity and the quest for personal development. I graduated in Mechanical and Production Engineering with specialization in Biomedical Engineering.

I landed my first job as After Sales Manager in a company commercializing Medical and Laboratory equipment. I thereon integrated a prestigious jewellery production unit, manufacturing high-end jewellery for the local market, and semi-finished goods for export. Over the years, I oversaw Production, Quality Assurance, and Research & Development.

In 2011, I had an opportunity to join Shell (as it was formerly known then) as part of the inland commercial team.

I moved to the Marine department in 2017, started a new journey in a dynamic, exciting industry.

In 2022, I took added responsibilities with the Aviation portfolio.

My Marine responsibilities include Commercial and Operational activities, as well as further Business Development for Vivo Energy.