Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo (PTY) Ltd acquires two liquid bulk terminals in South Africa
Oiltanking GmbH (Oiltanking), Grindrod Ltd (Grindrod) and Calulo Investments (Pty) Ltd (Calulo) Friday announced that through their South African joint venture associate company, Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo (Pty) Ltd (OTGC)they have entered into an agreement to acquire the business of Grindrod Tank Terminals a division of Grindrod (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd. In so doing, OTGC adds a liquid bulk terminal in Durban and Cape Town to the global network of Oiltanking. The business further consists of a specialized road tanker fleet.
The joint venture finalized in 2011, consists of Oiltanking, as the lead operating and managing partner with a 46% shareholding, Calulo Petrochemicals holding a 16% stake, with the remaining 38% shareholding held by Grindrod.
The transaction to acquire the Grindrod Tank Terminals business, is subject to relevant regulatory approvals.
Both terminals play a key role in the importation and redistribution of molasses and vegetable oils. Besides these products, the company has secured licenses to store and handle other high flash products.
The acquisition expands the relationship between Oiltanking, Grindrod and Calulo, leveraging the Oiltanking’s international know-how and expertise in liquid bulk logistics and the existing presence of Grindrod Ltd and Calulo in the South African market where there is a great need for its services. It gives OTGC an immediate presence in two key ports, of which one is the busiest in Africa and provides operational foundation for further expansion activities.
“We believe that OTGC have the expertise and credentials to capitalize on tank terminal development opportunities in South Africa and that amalgamating Grindrod Tank Terminals with OTGC is in line with this strategy”, said Dave Rennie, CEO Grindrod Freight Services – Ports & Terminals.
OTGC is also the preferred bidder for the bulk liquid terminal in the Port of Coega where it expects to sign a definite agreement with the South African Port Authorities in the near future.
Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo (Pty) Ltd is an independent bulk liquid storage provider in South Africa.
The joint venture company combines Oiltanking’s world class expertise in the field of bulk liquids handling with the local expertise and the full Black Economic Empowerment credentials of Grindrod South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Calulo Terminals (Pty) Ltd. Through direct holdings via Calulo and indirect holding via Grindrod South Africa, the joint venture is a fully empowered entity with a level 2 empowerment classification.
Oiltanking GmbH is a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls AG, Germany, a leading petroleum company, privately owned. Oiltanking is the second largest independent tank storage provider for petroleum products, chemicals and gases worldwide. The company owns and operates 73 terminals in 22 countries within Europe, North and South America, Middle East, India as well as Asia. Oiltanking has an overall storage capacity of 20.2 million cbm.
JSE listed Grindrod Ltd has global representation and more than 100 years’ experience in South Africa’s freight movement, providing integrated shipping and logistics solutions to clients. Grindrod’s operations are focused on transportation by road, rail and sea, storage and handling of dry and liquid bulk commodities, containers and automobiles. Grindrod’s operations also extend to include commodity trading and financial services.
Calulo Investments (Pty) Ltd is a South African black owned and controlled investment company focusing on oil and chemical sectors. Calulo has significant holdings in companies throughout the value chain and controlling interests in companies which focus on providing comprehensive logistics solutions to the oil, gas and chemical sectors.