Our Mission

Providing peace of mind to our Customers when their vessel is in Angola via our local expertise and excellent relationship with the local port community.

Merlion Maritime provides a wide range of port services in the 5 major Angolan ports, Luanda, Lobito, Soyo, Cabinda and Namibe, but also offshore, including port entrance formalities, customs documentation and cargo stevedoring.

Finding efficient solutions to ensure the satisfaction of vessel’s & crew’s needs while in port, minimizing port stay and related costs are our main concerns.

Our head office is located in Luanda, the vibrant capital of the country.

Merlion Maritime is focused on Angola, with a deep knowledge of the local context, stakeholders and opportunities. Excellent relationship with port terminals is a key to ensure smooth operations.

Representing ship owners and charterers in Angola means having the responsibility to be the main point of contact with local authorities and local customers, always having in mind the interests of our Principals as our main priority.

Port service providers in all Angolan major ports

cargo ships docked at the pier during day
cargo ships docked at the pier during day

Merlion Maritime is a member of

As a member of the international organisation Fonasba, we provide trustworthy port agency services for ships and shipowners worldwide.

We are part of the worldwide shipbroking organisation BIMCO which keeps us updated on latest developments within the industry.

With our membership, we are recognised as providers of quality port-related services to the Angolan maritime industry.

Charterer’s agents

Chartering vessel is a costly investment, ensuring that operations go smoothly is crucial, our operations teams are aware of that and know precisely that time must be managed efficiently. To ensure that all the parties involved are on the same page, we ensure the following services:

  • Pre-operations meetings with port terminal and stevedores 72h before ETA.

  • Analysis of port congestion 10 days before ETA.

  • Sending arrival notices to cargo shippers or receivers.

  • Study of the stowage plan and design of an efficient loading or discharge sequence.

  • 2 detailed operational reports per day during vessel operations.

  • 24h a day presence on the vessel.

  • SOF and tally sheets sent 24h after vessel departure.

  • Commercial representation of the charterer within the country.

Owner’s agents

Our experienced team assists and defends the interests of vessel owners:

  • Definitive or temporary importation process: AMN entry license & inspection, inward clearance upon arrival in Angola, customs clearance, agency transfer to charterer’s / operator’s designated agents.

  • Protective agency: monitoring charterer’s agents operational reports to ensure accurate information.

  • Airfreight customs clearance & delivery (spare parts destined to the vessel)

  • Crew changes / husbandry

  • Local procurement

Territorial coverage

Luanda / commercial port

Luanda / Sonils O&G terminal

Lobito

Cabinda

Malongo

Malongo / offshore

Soyo / Kwanda base

Soyo / Offshore

Namibe

Porto Amboim

Ambriz