Sasol Invests in First South African-owned Chemical Tanker Through Nduna Maritime

Durban, South Africa (ots/PRNewswire) - Nduna Maritime and Sasol
have entered into a R400 million enterprise and supplier development
(ESD) funding agreement through the Sasol Siyakha Trust, in South
Africa's first locally-owned maritime vessel. This is Sasol Siyakha's
single largest funding agreement to date.

The specialised chemical tanker, named Bow Cecil, is the very
first Republic of South Africa flagged vessel that will transport
chemicals to international markets registered to carry the South
African flag.

"We are particularly proud of this landmark agreement, as it is a
significant investment into localising and diversifying our supply
chain. As a global producer of a number of chemical products, we
supply numerous markets around the world with products made in South
Africa. Through Nduna Maritime, we are extending our value chain
participation through a wholly owned South African business," said
Vuyo Kahla, Executive Vice President: Advisory, Assurance and Supply
Chain, Sasol Limited.

Vusi Mazibuko, Mnambithi Group Executive Chairman said, "We are
excited about the acquisition and have long term plans to own and
operate our own tankers. We also have plans to expand our fleet in
both liquid bulk and dry bulk vessels which will see us further
deepen South African ownership of the maritime industry. The vessel
currently handles outbound shipments of chemicals into South East
Asia, the Middle East, and Europe for Sasol and other companies."

Sasol spends approximately R1.8 billion a year on shipping from
South Africa to global markets. As the owner of Bow Cecil, Nduna
Maritime will leverage this asset to increase its capacity to ship
more chemical products to markets concentrated in Asia. To date the
Sasol Siyakha Trust has disbursed R426.7 million since 2007 to 91
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

Mazibuko added, "We believe that through this ground-breaking
project, we have heeded the call to address the aspirations of our
government's National Development Plan by increasing investment in
the country's ship registry as well as by creating an enabling
environment for the improvement of human capital and skills
development in the sector."

"Sasol, as a company proudly rooted in our South African heritage,
is committed to making a significant contribution to South Africa's
economic transformation. We believe that, through enabling players to
participate in our value chain, we catalyse further economic growth,"
added Kahla.

Note to editors:

About Sasol Siyakha Trust

The Sasol Siyakha Trust was established in 2007 by Sasol South
Africa (Pty) Ltd to make investments in acceptable and viable B-BBEE
Enterprises which are or are in the process of becoming contractors
or suppliers to the Sasol Group. The target beneficiaries include
majority black owned Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) and Qualifying
Small Enterprises (QSEs) in South Africa particularly in areas that
Sasol operates in.

To date the Sasol Siyakha Trust has disbursed R426.7 million since
2007 to 91 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). For more
information on the trust interested parties may email
siyakha.funding@sasol.com or the Sasol Contact Centre on 017 610
4777.

About Sasol

Sasol is a global integrated chemicals and energy company. Through
our talented people, we safely and sustainably create superior value
for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders. We integrated
sophisticated technologies in world-scale operating facilities to
produce and commercialise commodity and specialised chemicals,
gaseous and liquid fuels, and lower-carbon electricity.

About Nduna Maritime

Nduna Maritime is a subsidiary of the Mnambithi Group. The company
offers shipping of chemicals and any liquid bulk cargo. We envision
owning and operating a pool of chemical tanker vessels as well as
contributing to the development of scarce skills set in the South
African Maritime Industry with a particular focus on youth
development.

ots Originaltext: Sasol
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Alex Anderson
Senior Manager: Group External Communication
Sasol Limited
Direct telephone: +27 (0) 10 344 6509

Mobile: +27 (0) 71 600 9605
alex.anderson@sasol.com
For Nduna Maritime: Zama Mncwabe for Nduna Maritime
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 350 0003
zama@lucidenterprises.co.za
Raphala Mogase
PR Director
Riverbed Agency
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 783 7903
Mobile: +27 (0) 84 607 4647
Raphala@theriverbed.co.za

Original-Content von: Sasol, übermittelt durch news aktuell