Wedoany.com Report on Feb 10th, At the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), Mrs. Iroghama Ogbeifun, CEO of STARZS Investment Company Limited, announced that the company is planning to expand its fleet and operations in Africa. This decision is based on the resurgence of investment in Nigeria's oil and gas sector and the increasing opportunities in offshore activities.
Ogbeifun, who also serves as a founding council member of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and Chairperson of the Technical Committee of the Nigerian Shipowners Association, stated that the company will deepen collaborations with indigenous producers, including companies like Seplat and First E&P.
STARZS Investment Company Limited currently operates a fleet of 11 vessels, including Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels and Security Patrol Boats. The company is one of the 30 private licensed offshore security companies that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy.
Ogbeifun pointed out: "We are investing in fleet renewal to address asset aging and growing offshore demand, with plans to acquire a new DP2-class AHTS vessel. A shipbuilding contract is expected to be signed this year." The company provides armed personnel for patrol boats serving international oil companies such as TotalEnergies, Chevron, and ExxonMobil.
STARZS Investment Company Limited's expansion plans are not limited to Nigeria; they also target oil exploration hotspots such as Namibia, Mozambique, Guinea, and Congo. Ogbeifun said: "STARZS will not stop at Nigeria's borders. The company is also exploring harbor towage services in African ports beyond Nigeria." She emphasized that wherever offshore oil exploration takes place, oilfield vessels are needed.
The company's African expansion plan benefits from a strategic partnership with the global towage giant Kotug, gaining access to its fleet through direct purchase or bareboat charter arrangements. Ogbeifun attributed this to positive signals from international oil companies, such as TotalEnergies announcing a Final Investment Decision through Kotug and Shell's plans to invest $20 billion in Nigeria.
Regarding the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Ogbeifun welcomed the opening of the application portal, calling it a significant milestone for the development of indigenous shipping. Established under the 2003 Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, the fund promotes Nigerian vessel development through a 2% surcharge levied on cabotage activities.
Ogbeifun also highlighted the challenges in maritime training, particularly the difficulty cadets face in obtaining the mandatory sea-time required for certification. She called for the implementation of mandatory cadet training quotas on vessels and enhanced collaboration between regulatory bodies and operators to address this gap.
