4 years after the launch of its integrated logistics activity, BOURBON has scored new success with the signature of a contract with Shell for the management of its logistics bases in Namibia and Sao Tomé. Nicolas Château, Managing Director of Bourbon Logistics, talks to us about this contract and the related services.
 

PartnerShip: What is the exact scope of this new contract?

Nicolas Château: Indeed, SHELL has renewed their trust in us after winning a first contract in Bulgaria in 2019, which is a real source of satisfaction for our team. This new contract concerns support for two of the company's deepwater exploration campaigns in Namibia and Sao Tomé. Its scope: the entire supply chain, from Houston to the rig, including international freight forwarding, the logistics base and all related services – including the recruitment and training of local staff – not to mention the supply of three platform supply vessels (PSV) dedicated to the project and particularly adapted to the sea conditions of the region. All this is under Bourbon Logistics' supervision and Safety Management System, which is totally new. The other news concerns our Bourbon Logistics Suite software, which we are inaugurating with this contract.
 

PartnerShip: What exactly is that?

N. C.: Digital tech is fully integrated into all industries today and at all levels of production. Obviously, logistics is no exception. That is why we propose our own digital solution, created by our own teams with the support of an external company, making it possible not only to plan, execute and manage the entire logistics chain from end to end – the management of inventory, transit, the related documents, etc. – but also to reduce costs and the carbon footprint. Each client uses their own ERP but our system has the advantage of being capable of interfacing with the client's, while offering a truly user-friendly interface to our clients' end-users (drilling services, production, logistics, etc.)..
 

PartnerShip: What is BOURBON's response to the operational needs of Shell, on one hand, and of your clients in general?

N. C.: Meeting the expectations expressed by our clients is no longer enough, we have to go further and imagine solutions that will enable them to reach their objectives. In other words, we have to take responsibilities. It is one of the particularities of logistics: each contract can be totally different from the last. Our strength is our ability to adapt. In the framework of the contract, we have set up a global offer and share all operational risks with our clients. Our offer also includes a local aspect thanks to our partners, well established in the various countries. It is one of the key aspects of our commercial strategy.

PartnerShip: What are the mid-term objectives for Bourbon Logistics? What are the challenges?

N. C.: The medium and long term objective is to provide support to our clients on longer term operations such as production sites for example, and the diversification of the offer towards renewable energies. I would go even further to say that I believe that we should move toward multi-client bases by pooling logistics resources. Discussions are already underway, as in Senegal, for example.