Harren Group has become the latest shipowner to see the potential in Africa.

The Bremen-based company has opened an office in Nigeria, its first office on the continent.

Harren Nigeria in Lagos is led by former director business development and operations (MEA) at SAL Heavy Lift and now managing director Paul Okpurughre.

“The new office represents the entire Harren Group and serves as a basis for further business development in West Africa,” said Okpurughre.

“We want to intensify the proximity to our customers and our business activities in the region.”

West Africa represents about 30% of Africa’s total population, while Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, even ahead of South Africa.

“Lagos is the perfect location for us – it’s a vibrant city and one of the main project and logistics capitals on the continent,” said Harren Group chief executive Martin Harren.

“The opening of the new office reflects our remarkably successful development in West Africa. We want to further expand our local position based on the existing, trustful relationships with our customers and partners.”

Currently, around three of Harren Group’s heavylift ships sail to this region on a monthly basis, according to Jurgen Kuntz, senior manager chartering and projects and head of the Africa chartering desk at SAL Heavy Lift.

“So it’s the next logical step to open an office there to be able to further develop our position. We see lots of opportunities for example in the energy and infrastructure segments,” he said.

But Harren Group managing director Nils Aden said there are also new opportunities for business beyond our existing heavy lift activities – for example in the tanker, bulker and renewable energy sectors.

The new office will represent our Group’s affiliated companies Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, Intermarine, Harren Bulkers, Harren Tankers, Atheleon and Combi Lift as their commercial agent.

“Opening the Lagos office makes our dedicated and personal services available to our customers locally. This is another important milestone for our group,” said Aden.