Know Your Counter Party: AI Energy Group

Abigail Asolange Harlley, CEO of AI Energy Group, spoke to Ship & Bunker about the company's bunkering business.

Abigail Asolange Harlley, CEO of Ghana-based physical supplier AI Energy Group (AI), talks to Ship & Bunker about the origins and future plans of the company's bunkering business.

S&B - Tell us about the company's origins.

Bunkering at AI started in 2012. In 2013, it has become an independent department fully mandated to market, develop, and supply bunkers using trucks, barges, and pipelines. In 2014, AI initiated the processes to acquire an Offshore Bunkering License, which came at high cost through acquisition of Permits/Licenses/Consents from all the stakeholder regulatory authorities, security, ministries, universities, etc. Currently, AI is the only company in Ghana with the Permits/Licenses/Consents to do Offshore Bunkering in Ghana's Maritime Jurisdiction.

In 2015, AI was ISO 9001:2008 certified as a bunkering company; being the first in the country and subsequently upgrading the certification to ISO 9001:2015 to conform to the new standard.

S&B - From those beginnings, where is AI is today?

AI has moved from one bunkering operation to winning tenders with international oil companies in Ghana's upstream industry. The company is the go-to when it comes to high quality, humanly, and environmentally safe bunkering operations in Ghana, providing very competitive prices at the client's convenience.

S&B - As ports across Africa vie to become new regional logistics hubs, the continent could see the emergence of a number of new bunkering hot spots. Does AI Bunkering have any specific plans to tap into this market growth potential?

AI currently has a solid presence and partnerships in most of the busy ports across Africa. This has been achieved in order to expand our business reach and to offer our excellent products and services to an extended client base.

S&B - How does AI Bunkering differentiate itself in today's market?

AI provides added services that ensure value for money and convenience to our varied clients. We ensure there are no quality and quantity disputes through our well-resourced and dedicated bunkering operations team. This has gone a long way to prevent all forms of accidents and incidents since 2012.

S&B - Thinking longer term, what plans does AI have for the future?

AI looks into the future with confidence knowing that an investment in human capital development comes with high returns. This will help us secure international partnerships globally and secure our place in Africa's Maritime Jurisdiction. This can only be achieved through strict adherence to compliance in the global industry.

We are looking at closing the notification time, that is, bunker request/enquiry and actually bunkering our client's vessel. This will give our clients ample time to set sail or engage in other businesses.

S&B -The new 0.50 percent global sulfur cap coming into force 2020 will bring major disruption to the industry. What changes does AI anticipate making in response to this, or is it too early to say?

AI is collaborating with its global partners to ensure the availability of the right specifications to supply our varied clients. Our operational team has started training in this regard and we have been in communication with stakeholders, including clients, on the topic.