Global Maritime: Globally Active, Locally Present
The marine and offshore sectors in West Africa are experiencing an era of transformation. As global operators intensify their focus on sustainable development and local participation, the Marine Warranty Survey (MWS) industry is taking a leading role in aligning technical excellence with offshore construction projects. Global Maritime, in partnership with FCS Marine Engineering, exemplifies how strategic collaboration and structured training can create lasting impact through local resource development - most notably in Angola, one of the region’s most active offshore markets.
A Proven Partnership for Local Content
Global Maritime is a globally recognised provider of marine engineering and consultancy services with a presence in over twenty countries.
In 2022, Global Maritime established a consortium partnership with FCS Marine Engineering; a 100% Angolan-owned company and a member of the Society of Offshore Marine Warranty Surveyors (SOMWS). This collaboration was designed not only to meet local content requirements, but to add socio-economic value by building a self-sustaining pool of trained Angolan professionals capable of delivering world-class MWS services locally in country. This ensures Global Maritime can provide locally available, technically competent Angolan nationals to perform MWS activities.
Since the consortium’s inception, Global Maritime and FCS have successfully combined international technical expertise with local knowledge, enabling rapid in-country deployment of trained personnel and reducing reliance on expatriate staff. The partnership’s integrated training program ensures that national surveyors acquire both theoretical and practical competencies essential for complex MWS operations.
Delivering Results in Angola
The Global Maritime FCS consortium has been instrumental in delivering several key MWS scopes across Angola’s offshore projects. These include high-profile contracts with Azule Energy for the Agogo Integrated West Hub (including the Ndungu scope), the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas projects, the Block 18 Infills project, and TotalEnergies PBF developments. The consortium also provided MWS services to CABGOC (Chevron) for the South N’Dola development.
Across these projects, Global Maritime and FCS worked collaboratively to maximize local participation. Approximately 50% of the in-country work on TotalEnergies projects and around 40% in Azule’s operations was carried out by trained Angolan nationals. In some cases, such as the CABGOC scope, almost 100% of in-country work was successfully completed by local personnel under Global Maritime’s technical oversight.
These achievements go beyond compliance - they represent tangible progress towards building a sustainable, locally driven MWS workforce in West Africa.
Lessons Learned on the Road to Local Empowerment
While the results are promising, Global Maritime and FCS recognise that developing skilled national resources in such a highly specialized field is a long-term endeavour.
Marine Warranty Surveying demands not only theoretical understanding, but years of practical exposure to real-world offshore operations. The process requires sustained investment, dedicated mentorship, and patience.
Some challenges persist, particularly in gaining full stakeholder support for deploying local surveyors. Resistance from clients or project partners - often rooted in a preference for expatriate expertise - can slow progress. Nevertheless, the consortium emphasizes that local content is not about compromise but capability. With structured programs, on-the-job training, and ongoing guidance from seasoned professionals, Angolan and West African nationals have already proven they can meet international accreditation standards.
Notably, one Angolan surveyor trained under the program has earned certification from the Society of Marine Warranty Surveyors (SOMWS), setting a precedent for others to follow.
Sustaining Local Growth for the Future
The success of Global Maritime and FCS in Angola demonstrates that local resource development is both viable and beneficial for all stakeholders, operators, insurers, and national authorities alike. The approach enhances responsiveness, reduces costs associated with expatriate mobilization, and fosters a sense of ownership among national professionals. More importantly, it contributes to the broader socioeconomic objectives of host nations, aligning with regulatory mandates such as those set by Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG).
As Global Maritime expands its presence across West Africa, we remain committed to replicating this model in other emerging markets. By investing in people, building trust with local partners, and maintaining world-class standards, the Global Maritime–FCS consortium is shaping the next generation of marine warranty professionals in Africa - ensuring that the region’s offshore industry is not only safer and more efficient but also truly homegrown.