South African Business 2021

INTERVIEW
Liquefied natural gas can
help South Africa reach its
decarbonisation goals
INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
Liquefie
help SoS
decarbo
Aldworth Mbalati, CEO of DNG Energy, reveals how his company will offer a cleaner Aldworth Aldworth Mbalati
fuel stop for ships that travel along the South African coastline.
fuel fuel stop stop for ships for s
What are the main advantages of liquefied natural gas (LNG)?
Liquefied natural gas is a cleaner and cheaper fuel alternative for the
energy market. The environmental, social and economic benefits will
help the country meet its targets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
drive economic growth and improve the lives of its citizens.
Aldworth Mbalati, CEO
BIOGRAPHY
Aldworth Mbalati started his entrepreneurial
journey as owner and
CEO of Vutomi Properties in 2002.
In 2005 he was involved at Bayethe
Investment Company, a company
investing in coal and other energy
assets. Five years later, he expanded
into oil and gas exploration, production
and midstream activities
such as gas-to-power as the major
shareholder and CEO of African
International Energy, Africa. He started
DNG Energy in 2013. He obtained
rights and developed an LNG import
terminal in Mozambique.
Transnet National Ports Authority recently gave permission for
you to begin bunkering operations: how significant is that?
The promulgation of regulations by the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) in January 2020 requiring all ships to use fuel that
has sulphur content of no more than 0.5% has put LNG to the fore
as a solution for decarbonising the marine industry. Finalisation of a
bunkering licence for DNG Energy at Coega gives us a go-ahead to
begin our integrated gas infrastructure for on-shore and off-shore LNG
logistics. We are building the first floating storage unit (FSU) Aldworth for Africa Aldworth Mbalati, C
and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Our position at Coega
gives us an opportunity to optimise trade for the global marine industry
by offering a cleaner fuel stop for ships that pass through Algoa Bay,
estimated at 57 000 ships every year.
BIOGRAPHY
What will be the impact of DNG Energy’s bunkering activities?
We support government’s strategy to develop the Coega Industrial
Development Zone as a gas hub. Our operations will reduce the
Aldworth
energy
Aldworth Mbalati Mbalati start
costs of doing business, expand the marine economy by creating trepreneurial trepreneurial jobs, journey journe as
developing skills and will also move South Africa closer to meeting CEO of CEO its Vutomi of Vutomi Properti
climate change objectives.
In 2005 In 2005 he was he involved was Investment Investment Company, a
Who do you see as your customers in the LNG space? investing investing coal in and coal ot a
Our customers are global and local shipping companies, assets. intensive assets. Five years Five years later, la he
energy users, logistics companies, industrial and commercial operations,
into oil into and oil gas and explor gas e
the taxi industry and households.
duction duction and midstream
and such such as gas-to-power as
What are the strengths of your team?
shareholder shareholder and and CEO
DNG Energy’s team has unity in vision, values and shared culture. International International The Energy, Energy Afric
working environment is steeped in a culture of hard workers ed who DNG ed are DNG Energy Energy in 2013. in 20 H
focused on the value proposition needed by the market. To those rights who rights and developed and develope an
say it cannot be done, DNG Energy asks, “Why not?” ■
terminal terminal Mozambique
in SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2021
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