OBT Plants Flag in Mauritania as African Shipping Demand Surges
New Nouakchott office to handle 33-container logistics and heavy-lift projects for mining and energy sectors
The move, announced on 5 October 2026, gives international shippers a single point of contact for everything from customs clearance to last-mile delivery across the north-west African nation.
Youssef Bouricha, OBT’s Mauritania Country Manager, said the expansion was driven by customer demand for clear accountability. “Mauritania is a natural next step for OBT,” he said. “Customers increasingly want clear accountability throughout a job. That enables us to plan earlier, make decisions faster and adapt when conditions change.”
“Mauritania is a natural next step for OBT. Customers increasingly want clear accountability throughout a job. That enables us to plan earlier, make decisions faster and adapt when conditions change.”
Youssef Bouricha·OBT Mauritania Country Manager
Why Mauritania? The strategic play behind OBT’s latest move
The country’s two main ports, Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, serve distinct economic zones: Nouakchott acts as the gateway for the capital and southern regions, while Nouadhibou is the hub for mining and industrial activity in the north.
OBT’s new office will offer a full suite of services, including shipping agency, freight forwarding, customs clearance, husbandry, project logistics, heavy-lift operations, warehousing, inland transportation and last-mile delivery.
The company has already demonstrated its capability in the country. In one recent operation, OBT managed the offloading, temporary storage and distribution of 33 containers to more than 20 destinations across Mauritania.
OBT’s experience in Mauritania also includes heavy-lift and project cargo operations, where oversized and heavy equipment demands specialised lifting, port coordination and inland transport. The company has supported multiple port calls, providing vessel agency and husbandry services that ensure smooth operations for ships docking in Mauritanian waters.
What this means for shippers: faster decisions, fewer headaches
The company’s ability to connect local execution with its Dubai headquarters and wider African network means shippers can now access a single point of coordination across markets.
OBT’s expansion into Mauritania is part of a wider strategy to strengthen its presence in key African markets, ensuring that it can support customers wherever their operations take them.
With OBT’s local office now operational, companies can expect faster decision-making, better coordination and fewer bottlenecks in their supply chains. The ability to handle complex logistics operations, from heavy-lift cargo to last-mile delivery, means that projects can move forward with greater efficiency and less risk.
Looking ahead, OBT’s expansion into Mauritania is likely to have ripple effects across the region. As the company strengthens its network, it will be better positioned to support cross-border trade and multi-country projects. For shippers with operations in north-west Africa, this could mean smoother transitions between markets and a more integrated logistics ecosystem.
The establishment of OBT Mauritania marks a significant step in the company’s growth across Africa. By combining local expertise with the resources of its wider network, OBT is setting a new standard for shipping and logistics in the region, one that prioritises accountability, efficiency and adaptability.
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