Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) has launched Arise Shipping and Logistics to service the growing Pan-African trade.

Arise Shipping and Logistics is also seen to provide services that complement the operations of its parent company Arise IIP, but will also build its own portfolio of customers.

Arise IIP —  which designs, finances, builds and operates integrated and tailor-made industrial zones  — has grown from a single project in Gabon in 2010 to now delivering a wide range of industrial, infrastructure and port developments in seven countries across Africa including Gabon, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Rwanda and Chad.

More recently the company launched shipping operations in Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. Projects include the construction of ports, manufacturing plants, logistics facilities and associated infrastructure.

The company — which also aims to industrialize key sectors by creating local transformation, maximizing production, efficiency and cost, which in turn generates local value addition — has the vision to address Africa's key challenges which include unemployment, rising income inequalities, climate change, limited industrialization and infrastructure financing.

The statement noted that as many African countries transition to develop indigenous industrial and agricultural production sectors, demand is growing for a dedicated shipping company to provide a full range of maritime and logistics services for the mining, agricultural and industrial sectors.

"As many African countries develop their own processing and manufacturing capabilities to complement growing commodities exports, there is strong demand for a bespoke shipping and logistics company that understands Africa and its needs," said Captain Pappu Sastry, CEO of Arise Shipping and Logistics.

"Our trusted partnerships with niche clientele enable us to execute large-scale and long-term projects that transform local value chains. Our customers will initially almost be in the mining sector and we will provide a full range of shipping and logistics services to meet their needs. This could be anything from land-side infrastructure, ports or transhipment and shipping," Sastry added.

"The value addition will be the innovative off-take or structural solutions that help junior mines grow and in turn help the local economies develop for long-term prosperity," the Arise Shipping and Logistics chief further said.

Arise Shipping and Logistics will build its fleet of vessels to include bulk carriers, tankers and specialized vessels while also providing a range of associated logistics services.