Eighteen fully Namibian-owned companies have achieved internationally recognised certification within the past year, as local businesses position themselves to participate in the country’s fast-developing offshore oil and gas industry.
According to Namibia Oil and Gas, the certifications were issued by global assurance and risk management company DNV, which established operations in Namibia to support compliance efforts in the sector. DNV Namibia Country Manager for Maritime and Offshore, Bertrand Albert, confirmed that the milestone was reached within the company’s first year of local operations, reflecting growing momentum among domestic firms to meet the stringent requirements set by international oil operators. The announcement was made during the Petrofund Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers Workshop, where certification was highlighted as a critical gateway for local suppliers seeking entry into offshore projects. Albert emphasised that certification is not a uniform process but rather tailored to the specific services offered by each company, ranging from maritime support to catering and technical operations. He noted that DNV applies rigorous assessment processes to ensure that business models align with operational standards before certification is granted. Certification in the oil and gas sector is closely tied to safety, operational performance and asset integrity.
Companies are required to comply with verification and inspection processes throughout the lifecycle of offshore infrastructure, from development through to production. DNV, headquartered in Oslo, operates in more than 80 countries and employs approximately 15 000 people worldwide. The organisation plays a significant role in global maritime and offshore industries, classifying around 21% of the world’s fleet, as well as a substantial share of mobile offshore units and floating production systems. Albert added that opportunities remain open for more Namibian businesses to obtain certification, particularly in specialised technical fields such as inspection, welding and testing, as the country moves closer to large-scale project development. The push for certification comes amid increasing activity in Namibia’s offshore basins, where international operators are advancing exploration and appraisal programmes, placing growing emphasis on local content participation.
By Eileen van der Schyff
Source: Oil and Gas
