Hanwha Ocean is positioning Namibia as a regional hub for its African operations as the company aligns its internal structures to support expansion across the continent.
Country Manager Uaapi Utjavari said the move forms part of ongoing internal discussions aimed at centralising regional oversight in Namibia.
Speaking at a recent Petrofund Oil and Gas Suppliers Workshop, he said the company has introduced a full-time country management function as part of this strategy, while broadening its operational scope beyond Namibia to coordinate activities across African markets as project pipelines develop.
“This was part of the company’s thinking, to appoint a full-time country manager. Internally, discussions are focused on positioning Namibia as a regional hub for Africa. We are looking at development across the continent and how Namibia fits into overseeing operations within the African region,” said Utjavari.
Hanwha Ocean Executive Director for Global Supply Chain Laurinda Tseng outlined the company’s supply chain structure, highlighting its involvement in several operational and sustainability initiatives.
She also referenced recent infrastructure expansion, including the acquisition of approximately 100,000 square units.
The company’s supplier framework is based on compliance, due diligence and capability verification, with firms required to meet technical, commercial and safety standards. Evaluations are conducted across engineering, quality management and supply chain functions before approval.
“Key considerations include a company’s capability and compliance with required standards. Due diligence is essential, and suppliers must be prepared with the necessary documentation and policies to meet qualification requirements,” said Tseng.
Hanwha Ocean said supplier participation is not limited to core oil and gas services, but also extends to indirect sectors such as facilities management and support services, reflecting a broader supply chain ecosystem linked to offshore development activities.
The company said Namibia’s role as a regional base will depend on project progress and supplier readiness, noting that expansion across Africa will require alignment between local capacity and internal operational requirements.
“From a commercial standpoint, we assess cost structures, insurance and overall service delivery. Technical capability, safety standards and the ability to meet contract timelines are also critical in the evaluation process,” Tseng said.
