Forty Years on the Water: How Starzs Investments Built Nigeria’s Indigenous Maritime Standard

From a one-man marine consultancy with a contract worth less than one million naira to a multi-billion-naira enterprise operating across West Africa’s offshore sector, Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) has spent four decades proving that indigenous expertise and global standards can thrive together,  writes Olufunke. V. O

There is a particular kind of audacity that Nigeria’s earliest indigenous maritime entrepreneurs had to summon in the 1980s. The offshore oil and gas sector, its contracts, its vessels, its engineering standards, was almost entirely the preserve of multinational corporations and foreign-flag shipping companies. For a young Nigerian marine engineer to look at that landscape and decide he was going to build something competitive within it required more than ambition. It required a conviction that a Nigerian company, operating at world-class standards, could earn a seat at the table that others assumed was reserved.

Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) was founded on exactly that conviction. Registered on 1 July 1986 by maritime entrepreneur Engr. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun, a Shell-trained marine engineer with a First Class Combined Certificate of Competency from the United Kingdom, the company began not with a fleet, but with expertise, a single marine consultancy contract and a determination to prove what indigenous enterprise could do. Today, SICL is one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous marine logistics providers. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and a Document of Compliance under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. It serves major international energy companies, including TotalEnergies, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, NLNG and Perenco, has executed more than 35 offshore contracts, operates a fleet of eleven vessels and forms the nucleus of a diversified group employing over 1,000 Nigerians.

The company’s first major breakthrough came through a competitive Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) contract for the tank cleaning of MT GUMA, then Nigeria’s largest storage tanker, moored in Bonny.

Competing against three foreign companies, Starzs was the only indigenous bidder, and emerged successful. Worth approximately ₦925,000, the contract was more than a commercial victory; it demonstrated that a Nigerian-owned company could successfully compete with multinational firms on technical competence and service delivery. That achievement established the philosophy that continues to define SICL today: continuous investment in local capacity, operational excellence and long-term growth. The proceeds from the contract were reinvested into vessel acquisition and fleet development. What began as a consultancy steadily evolved into vessel ownership, fleet management and offshore logistics, expanding from local marine operations into deepwater support services for some of the world’s largest energy companies.

BUILDING THE FLEET: FROM SWAMP TO DEEPWATER

Recognising that dependable marine logistics are fundamental to offshore oil and gas production, SICL deliberately developed a fleet tailored to the industry’s operational requirements. Its vessels have supported critical offshore projects across Nigeria’s deepwater fields. The MV OSARUGUE, a 90-tonne bollard pull Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug, served TotalEnergies at the Usan FPSO before supporting ExxonMobil under long-term contracts. The MV OSANYAMO, a purpose-built 90-tonne ASD Terminal Tug constructed by Damen Shipyards, successfully served TotalEnergies at the Odudu Field for five consecutive years. Other notable deployments include the MV EFOSA-JOEY at Chevron’s Agbami Field and the SD SALVOR at Chevron’s Escravos operations. One of SICL’s defining moments came in 2019 during the towing and repositioning of the Egina FPSO from the LADOL Jetty under challenging weather conditions. The professionalism demonstrated by the crew of MV OSARUGUE earned commendation letters from Samsung Heavy Industries and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), reinforcing the company’s reputation for operational excellence and safety. With over more than 35 offshore contracts spanning over 18 years, SICL has supported operations at Akpo, Amenam, Agbami, Egina, Escravos, Odudu and the Usan FPSO, establishing one of the strongest operational track records among indigenous maritime companies in West Africa.

Operating in the Gulf of Guinea requires more than marine logistics; it demands robust maritime security capabilities. To meet this need, SICL became one of Nigeria’s licensed Maritime Security Logistics Support (MSLS) providers. Through its DOROH and SIKA series patrol vessels, the company delivers security support using modern navigation, surveillance and communication systems; leveraging on a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy which enables the deployment of armed naval personnel aboard its security vessels.

In offshore operations, safety is not merely a corporate value, it is a commercial necessity. International energy companies demand rigorous safety standards from every contractor, and SICL has consistently met those expectations. Its Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental (QHSSE) Management System is built around internationally recognised ISM and ISPS Codes and strengthened by ISO 9001:2015 certification. The company’s commitment to “Zero Downtime and Zero Lost Time Injury Operations” is reflected in its operational record and reinforced by industry recognition, including the commendation received during the successful Egina FPSO tow-out. The achievement underscores SICL’s disciplined approach to crew competence, vessel maintenance and operational risk management.

Over four decades, SICL has birthed a diversified enterprise with interests spanning maritime logistics, ship repair, security services, automotive solutions, gas distribution and shipping. These include Starzs Marine & Engineering Limited, Eaglewatch Security Limited, which today employs more than 800 Nigerians; Diverse Autocare Limited, Starzs Gas Limited, Maritime Shipping and Ocean International Resources Limited (MSOIR), and Cee Jackson Limited. Collectively, these companies employ over 1,000 Nigerians, contributing significantly to local content development, skills transfer and industrial employment.

In 2021, after 35 years of visionary leadership, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun transitioned from Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer to Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, marking a carefully planned succession. Leadership passed to Ms. Iroghama Ogbeifun, who became Managing Director and CEO, making her one of the few women leading a major indigenous maritime company in Nigeria. Under her leadership, SICL has maintained its operational discipline while pursuing fleet expansion, digital transformation and opportunities within Nigeria’s emerging Blue Economy. She has also strengthened the company’s industry advocacy, often speaking at key industry events such as the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), NOG Energy Week, Sub Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), and many others.   The transition demonstrates that SICL has evolved beyond its founder into an institution built on enduring systems, strong governance and a culture of excellence, positioning the company for continued growth in its fifth decade.

FORTY YEARS OF CONTRIBUTION: A LEGACY OF IMPACT

Four decades of sustained operations have produced measurable results. Since its establishment in 1986, SICL has executed more than 35 offshore contracts, deployed a fleet of eleven vessels, served eight major international oil and gas companies, and built a diversified enterprise employing over 1,000 Nigerians.

Yet the company’s contribution extends far beyond these figures. Every vessel commissioned has strengthened Nigeria’s indigenous maritime capacity and supported local suppliers. Every Nigerian captain, marine engineer, technician and logistics professional trained by the company has contributed to the growth of a highly skilled workforce. Every contract won against international competitors has reinforced the belief that Nigerian companies can compete successfully on the global stage when equipped with the right expertise, systems and commitment to quality. SICL’s partnerships with leading international energy companies have also showcased Nigerian competence within global supply chains. The successful Egina FPSO tow-out, recognized by Samsung Heavy Industries and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for exemplary safety and professionalism, remains a defining example of indigenous capability meeting world-class standards. The establishment of the Starzs Shipyard in Onne has further strengthened Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem. By providing local dry-docking and ship repair services, the facility has reduced dependence on foreign shipyards, conserved foreign exchange and positioned Nigeria as an emerging maritime services hub for the West African region. Beyond infrastructure, SICL’s greatest contribution may be its role in advancing local content. Through sustained investment in Nigerian talent, technology and enterprise, the company has demonstrated that indigenous participation can drive innovation, create jobs and deliver lasting economic value.

LOOKING AHEAD: THE BLUE ECONOMY OPPORTUNITY

As Nigeria increasingly embraces the Blue Economy as a strategic pillar of national development, SICL enters its fifth decade with valuable experience and a proven track record. Nigeria’s extensive coastline, inland waterways, offshore resources and maritime trade corridors present enormous opportunities for economic diversification, industrial growth and employment. Unlocking this potential, however, will require more than policy declarations. It will demand sustained investment in indigenous capacity, modern infrastructure, skilled manpower and globally competitive maritime services. These principles have defined SICL’s growth for forty years.

The company’s 40th Anniversary Maritime Symposium, themed “Anchoring Resilience: 40 Years of Private Indigenous Initiative, Shaping Nigeria’s Maritime Future,” reflects its continued commitment to advancing conversations around maritime development and indigenous participation. Despite the progress made, structural challenges remain. Access to long-term and affordable financing continues to constrain indigenous vessel ownership, while inconsistent implementation of the Cabotage Act has limited the growth envisioned by Nigeria’s local content framework. Bridging the gap between policy and implementation will require stronger collaboration among government, regulators, financial institutions and industry stakeholders. SICL’s journey demonstrates that indigenous companies can overcome these constraints through strategic investment, operational discipline and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Its experience also highlights the importance of creating an enabling environment that allows more Nigerian companies to thrive.

A Legacy Built to Endure

“Transforming Lives, One Boat at a Time.” is disarmingly simple phrase. But it is also the most honest articulation of the essence of SICL’s forty-year journey. It is not an abstraction of tonnage, bollard pull and bollard capacity, but of a human enterprise, of crew who leave their families to spend months at sea, of Nigerian engineers, technicians, seafarers and support personnel whose expertise keeps vital energy infrastructure operating safely and efficiently. Behind every investment in ships, shipyards and people are communities that benefit from employment, skills development and economic opportunity. Whether maneuvering offshore support vessels in challenging conditions, protecting critical energy infrastructure through maritime security operations, or maintaining vessels at the Starzs Shipyard in Onne, SICL has consistently demonstrated that maritime logistics is ultimately about people, partnerships and national development. From a modest marine consultancy established in 1986, the company has grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous maritime enterprises. Its success has been built not only on vessels and contracts, but also on resilience, professionalism, innovation and an enduring belief in Nigerian capability.

As Starzs Investments Company Limited celebrates its 40th anniversary, it does so with a legacy already firmly established and a future filled with opportunity. Its story is more than the history of a company; it is a testament to what indigenous enterprise can achieve through vision, perseverance and excellence. After four decades of transforming lives, strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry and raising the standard for indigenous participation, SICL stands ready to shape the next chapter of the nation’s Blue Economy- one vessel, one partnership and one generation at a time.

Olufunke V.O., media consultant to SICL @ 4o writes this piece from Lagos, Nigeria