Flexible logistics support for Angola’s oil and gas sector

Angola

Sebastien Quedrue, group CEO of AMT, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s key developments in 2024, how its logistics base is helping it cater to all the regions of Angola and its expansion into a one-stop shop. AMT is a Swiss integrated transport and logistics provider specialising in the oil and gas upstream sector in Africa.

How did 2024 unfold for AMT, and what were the key developments?
2024 was a strong year for AMT Angola. We secured several important contracts in Angola, which drove significant growth. To meet market demand, we expanded our local operations by 30-40%, increasing our workforce to 190 employees in Angola. The scale of these contracts required rapid adaptation, particularly in terms of resources and organisational structure.

Are you investing in your own infrastructure to support this growth?
Yes, one of our major strategic moves has been investing in our own logistics base in Luanda. Previously, we were renting. Now we are acquiring ownership, which opens new possibilities. The facility is strategically located on the road to Cacuaco, allowing direct access to both the port and the new airport. The first phase spans 10,000 square metres, including plans to expand by 2,000-3,000 square metres in warehouse space.
Ownership will enable us to offer additional services such as container consolidation, stuffing and unstuffing, all in-house. It’s a fundamental shift. Owning the asset boosts profitability, even if efficiency gains are limited due to the challenges of equipment maintenance and sourcing spare parts in Angola.

How does your logistics base support your operations in other regions of Angola?
It’s essential. Despite having a presence in Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda and Soyo, Luanda remains the country’s main logistics artery. The main port and airport are here, and due to the state of road infrastructure, it’s often more practical to route even southern shipments through Luanda. This base will serve as the nerve centre for our national operations.

How are you expanding your service offering to become a one-stop shop?
We’ve created dedicated companies for warehousing, small-scale trucking delivery services and manpower services. For clients needing on-site support, we provide embedded personnel via our new manpower division. These companies were launched last year and form part of a wider vision to become a single-source logistics provider for clients seeking full-service contracts in Angola.

Do you see opportunities to support Angola’s oil and gas expansion?
We already have a strong market share. Where we see room to grow is with specific, agile projects. We’re not a global freight forwarder selected by major IOCs for scale and tariffs, but we are the right size to support international and main capital projects needing flexibility, deep local knowledge and responsiveness. That’s our niche.
We’ve supported projects such as Agogo and CLOV 3, where we handled offshore marine operations, international freight forwarding and logistics, personnel support services, crew support with visa coordination and meet-and-greet services. This is our core business and what sets us apart.

Are you active in Angola’s renewable energy logistics as well?
We were involved in the main solar farm’s set up in the south as well as similar projects countrywide. However, the volumes are limited so far as this market is just at its starting point in Angola. That said, we’ve proven we can deliver in this sector: in Angola, Europe and South Africa. It’s important for us to be part of the renewables sector, even if today the business volume remains limited.

Is mining becoming a significant opportunity for AMT?
Yes, and it is for years. Interestingly, our entry into the mining sector started in Angola years ago but quickly materialised in South Africa and Namibia. Clients who knew us from oil and gas projects invited us to provide similar logistics support for mining. It’s clearly a different mindset. Mining investments are planned for the long term, meaning 15-50 years, while oil and gas contracts often last under a year, but the service needs are similar. Once again, our flexible and agile mindset makes the difference.
We’ve opened a company in Namibia focused on mining logistics. Our structure there is in place and ready. It will be our base for deployment into the oil and gas market when full-scale development happens.

What is your role in Angola’s downstream sector?
Downstream logistics are part of our offering. We’ve been involved in exporting both crude and refined products by tanker since AMT’s early days. However, the distribution of refined fuels – for example, to service stations – is not a focus area of ours. Our role is primarily in import-export logistics, where we’ve built strong capabilities.

What’s next for AMT in Angola and beyond?
Beyond Angola, we plan to expand further in Namibia and Abu Dhabi. We’re also pursuing a merger and acquisition to strengthen our geographical presence. We want to be the midsized, agile partner for clients who don’t want a giant multinational but still require comprehensive services.
We aim to be a regional specialist, covering Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa. In Abu Dhabi, we support naval logistics for vessels heading to Angola. The UAE is strategic for us, as it connects Gulf investment to African growth. We’re positioned to serve clients looking for that bridge between regions.
We’re also watching corridors such as Lobito. Despite political noise, we believe it remains strategic, particularly for the US, which has interests in the DRC’s [Democratic Republic of the Congo] minerals. As the sector evolves, our model of being flexible, efficient and deeply local will continue to deliver value.

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