November 2011: CTN Abolished for Nigerian Shipments
For more information, please click here.
Latest News: China Container Line (CCL)
In 2011, Bennett & McMahon signed a deal with China Container Line (CCL) for our Far East Cross Trades.
China Container Line (CCL) is an established Global logistics company specialising in various aspects including sea freight, warehousing and airfreight.
Bennett & McMahon Agencies Limited act as a representative agent to China Container Line (CCL) for the West Africa Region.
Latest News: Ghana
Bennett and McMahon are pleased to announce the successful running of our new Ghanaian office, details as below:
Bennett & McMahon Ghana Ltd Ltd
1st
Floor Cargo D’or Building
Unit 13, KIA
Accra, Ghana
Sub Agents
We also operate with agency Baj Freight Ltd, who currently handle all inland Ghanaian
haulages on our behalf. If you require a quote including an inland handling cost
please contact one of our dedicated sales team for a more detailed quote.
Elections
Ghana held presidental elections in December 2008. It was announced that John
Atta Mills of the NDC (National Democratic Congress) was to succeed John Kofi
Agyekum Kufuor who has been on seat since 2001.
B & M Representation
Bennett & McMahon have been increasing our profile in Ghana with personnel now
in permanent situe.
Short Case Study
For some time now we have
overseen various projects including the co-ordination and supply of container
equipment to one of our Tema based principals. Predominantly the shipments emanating
from Ghana have been sourcing major projects in Soyo, Conakry, The Congo, Malabo
and Port Gentil. These shipments will service accommodation requirements for companies
involved in the oil & gas exploration and construction sectors.
Takoradi:
"Champs Sports Bar"
In early July 2009 saw Bennett & McMahon undertake
the urgent shipment of various materials for the set up and rennovation of a new
sports bar in Takoradi. As regular visitors to Accra will confirm the CHAMPS establishment
in Accra has been a huge success since 1997 with local Accra Ghana customers and
expatriate workers alike frequenting this establishment in huge numbers. If you
are travelling to Ghana soon and will have some time spare for R&R checkout their
website www.champsghana.com.
This latest shipment consisted of a fully loaded 40ft container from the UK to Tema and then onto Takoradi by road. Goods included state of the art catering equipment further complimented by a smaller airfreight consignment. Bennett & McMahon succesfully undertook this time pressed shipment so the bar can meet the anticipated opening date in late July 2009. We look forward to joining "CHAMPS" manager Patrick McQuaid in Takoradi to check out their culinary delights, washed down by ice cold Star beer whilst viewing all the latest live sporting events as they happen worldwide. GOOD LUCK CHAMPS TAKORADI!!!!
Latest News: Angola
Over the last 12 months we have been responsible for the movement of 12 ship loads of cargo for our principal for a major LNG project. Utilising a mix of standard containers, out of gauge flat racks and conventional vessels Bennett & McMahon Agencies have provided full operational and logistical support.
In June 2009, Bennett & McMahon successfully chartered the vessel Southern Cross, destined for the Angolan Oil & Gas industry the vessel carried 1200cbm of cargo:
Latest News: Nigeria
During our latest project for Nigeria Bennett & McMahon successfully shipped the water tank seen above from Antwerp to Lagos, Nigeria for onsite workers.
Lower
Usuma Dam Water Treatment
One of our latest projects for the above contract
is by its very nature destined for use in construction of a major water treatment
project. This continues to be a project we are committed to and currently phases
3 & 4 are in the process of being shipped. This contract involves a lot of cross
trade co-ordination where Bennett & McMahon are well placed and able to ultilise
their established overseas agents.
Latest News: Guinea
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Bennett & McMahon successfully completed an advanced consignment consisting of a mobility camp. Shipped in early November 2008 this advanced movement will be moved 120KM inland to be used in the construction of a Bauxite project.
Bennett & McMahon recently acting as a supervisory agent have successfully shipped three full load shipments totalling 8000cbm of various conventional cargo for Kamsar in Guinea
Our Latest News
For all trades BAFs & CAFs continue to fluctuate on a regular basis. Please contact a member of our sales team for further details.
Our West African services include three weekly services & a weekly express service out of Liverpool & Felixstowe and a weekly service operating from Tilbury.
Our East African service operates weekly from Felixstowe.
All THC charges have now changed to £110 as of 15th November 2008.
Please contact us for all Import and Export vessel & service details.
September 2009
TRADE MISSION - NIGERIA & GHANA
During September 2009 David Mansfield represented Bennett & McMahon on a British Trade mission to Lagos and Accra. This was organised by the London Chamber of Commerce with the travelling group seeing representation from over 20 British companies.
The objective for Bennett & McMahon was to maintain our West African profile by visiting existing customers and suppliers and at the same time endeavour to procure additional business.
David reports that there was a strong camaraderie amongst the mission members. It is anticipated that the success of the trade mission, for individual participants, will be shared with the involvement of Bennett & McMahon for any subsequent freight movements that materialise.
To mark the end of this trip Bennett and McMahon took the opportunity to host a function at Champs Sports Bar in Accra. This was a great success!
The name of Bennett and McMahon is synonymous with West Africa and visits of this nature only serve to reinforce our market share
THE GHANA "RIDA CUP" 2009
Our Ghana based representative, Dave Eustace, recently took part in the Ghanaian Rida Cup Golf Tournament.
The Tournament is a historic and established event. As such it is etched on the annual sporting and social calendar and eagerly anticipated by many Accra based expatriots. The Golf event sees Southern and Northern Hemisphere expatriots competing against each other. The event raises a substantial amount of money for local Ghana based charities with a mixture of Doubles and Singles Games being played over 9 holes. Afterwards it is usual for a few beers to be downed on the 19th!
We are pleased to report that Dave did not let Bennett & McMahon down and won his match 5 to 4 and finished level par gross for the 9 holes. Sadly this year we have to place on record that the Southern Hemisphere lifted the team trophy...
Never mind better luck next time... bring on 2010!!
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June 2009: Good Sports!
Our very own Dave Eustace had a rather interesting encounter whilst on his recent holiday!
Jealous us?!..... Nooooo
March 2009
Dave Eustace has relocated to Ghana for a minimum period of one year to take up a position as our West Africa Development Manager for the region. We all wish Dave all the best and much success in his new role! "Bon Voyage".
Dave's new mobile number in Ghana will be 00233 247084372.
January 2009
Bennett and McMahon are pleased to announce that with effect from 19/01/2009 we have gone live on our new Data Freight operational software system. This has been a strategically planned decision by Bennett & McMahon and we are all extremely pleased that the transition onto our new system has gone very smoothly!
Financial Controller, Dave Mansfield comments:
"This will streamline and simplify shipping services for both customers and suppliers alike, as well as interfacing information directly onto our accounting system. This is a big step forward for Bennett & McMahon Agencies Limited. A big thank you to David Eustace for his hard work in ensuring the implementation ran smoothly."
Dave Eustace, on Exports/Sales comments:
"As many of our customers may have already experienced, B&M have recently introduced our very own fully integrated system. This will prove beneficial for both 'ourselves' and 'customers' and should make reference to past and present shipments much more accessible."
Please bear with us while we are getting used to our system, as this will be extremely beneficial for everyone involved.
November 2008
BENNNETT & MCMAHON IN SINGAPORE-AUSTRALIA UPDATE
Ralph Bennett & Mike McMahon travelled to Singapore and Australia in November 2008.
During various talks with shippers and shipping lines in Singapore time was spent furthering their diverse business activity by holding meetings with PIL -PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL LINES (PTE) LTD. Particular thanks go to Ng Hui Khoon, Senior Trade Manager Liner Division, PIL for the warm reception given to Ralph & Mike. Director Mike commented that "It is anticipated our business dealings will increase over the coming 12 months with PIL".
Director, Ralph Bennett said:
"Shipping services for the oil and gas sector are increasingly very important for Bennett & McMahon Agencies, and as the shipping control is spread worldwide, the destinations of our business travel nowadays take us throughout the world.
"In the last 12 months, in addition to opening and having senior personel based at our own office in Ghana, we have travelled to Nigeria, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Singapore, Brisbane and Sydney.
"Even with today's turbulent world financial markets, we are confident of increasing our market share of our traditional export markets to West and East Africa, and we look forward to 2009 of further developing other areas of our shipping business including cross trades, imports and of course our involvement with the oil and gas sector"
In Australia, visits were made to companies in Brisbane and Sydney that B&Mc already have significant involvement. Predominantly these companies are involved in world wide projects of construction, mining, oil and gas industries.
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It is rare these days that the 2 directors are found travelling abroad together, so fortunately some R&R was squeezed into their busy schedule... See attached photo of Ralph & Mike at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge... G'Day fellas? |
October 18th 2008
Today saw the removal of the block exemption on liner shipping conferences. Under the block exemption carriers have been able to fix prices and jointly regulate capacity usually prohibited by the European competition law. The proposal for the removal of block exemption was approved today 18/10/2008.
September 20th 2008
Patrick Aniadjei, shipping operations manager from one of our Tema based principals arrived in Liverpool to stay with us. This was his last stop on a trip around various parts of Europe on business. During his time in Liverpool Patrick took in the some of the sights including the legendary Beatles museum and even tried his hand at Bingo!
This trip was finished off with a dinner out with some of Bennett & McMahons' personnel. We very much enjoyed having Patrick to stay with us and hope he enjoyed it as much as we did.
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June 28th 2008
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Unfortunately in June Paul Henry contracted a rare form of Malaria whilst on business in Ghana and was off for a couple of weeks. It was very worrying for all of us here in the office as well as his friends and family. |
We are extremely pleased to say that Paul has made a full recovery and has been to Ghana twice since this unfortunate incident. Nasty Mosquitoes!
Please ensure that the proper precautions are taken if you are travelling to a Tropical country in the future.
On a lighter note...
Safmarine
Julie
Smithers and Laura Williams from the office were invited a to day at Chester Races
with Safmarine. Thank you for such an enjoyable day had by all! Pleased to say
there were a couple of wins had by both ladies that day!!
For our older news please click here to be taken to our news archive >>
