MOL to Take Equity Stake in Alistair Group, A Leading Logistics Company in Sub-Saharan Africa

TOKYO – Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) has announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in Tanzania-based Alistair Group, a cross-border logistics company serving Sub-Saharan Africa. Alistair Group, led by President Alistair James, operates in eight countries across Southeast Africa, specializing in truck transport of critical mineral resources such as copper and cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to coastal export ports. The company also provides customs clearance, warehouse operations, cargo handling at ports, and digital transformation (DX) logistics services. With a fleet of about 450 trucks and around 1,000 employees, Alistair Group is a significant player in the region.

MOL, which pioneered the shipping route between Japan and the east coast of Africa in 1926, has a long history of marine transport service in Africa. The company has established offices in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Mauritius, and is actively expanding its business operations beyond ocean freight forwarding to include air freight forwarding, land transport, warehousing, and the export of used Japanese agricultural machinery.

The acquisition aligns with MOL’s “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan, which emphasizes portfolio and regional strategies. By integrating the MOL Group’s global network and logistics expertise with Alistair’s regional experience in cross-border logistics, both companies aim to enhance their service offerings in Africa. This collaboration is expected to capitalize on the region’s growing population and rich resources, including renewable energy potential.

Toshinobu Shinoda, MOL’s Senior Managing Executive Officer responsible for Europe and Africa, praised Alistair Group’s innovative approach and commitment to customer satisfaction, highlighting its growth into a leading regional logistics company. Shinoda expressed MOL’s enthusiasm for strengthening its presence in Africa and partnering with Alistair Group to share values and expand operations.

Alistair Group CEO Alistair James stated, “We’ve set an ambitious vision and are taking decisive steps to solidify our position as the leading logistics provider across the African continent. We look forward to continuing to fund the growth of our core business while also investing further in our cutting-edge technology and regional infrastructure developments. Alistair Group is thrilled to be partnering with MOL for the benefit of both businesses. The investment offers us a significant competitive edge and presents an opportunity to seamlessly integrate ocean and cross-border shipping, meeting the exacting demands of our customers. In essence, this partnership is set to propel our growth to new heights.”

Outline of Alistair Group:

• Name: AHC Holdings Ltd
• Main Business: Trucking, Warehouse Operations, Customs Clearance, Port Logistics, etc.
• Founded: 2008
• Head Office: Mauritius
• Offices: South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda
• Representative: Alistair James (CEO)
• Website: https://www.alistairgroup.com/

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