Summary:

On 6 May 2026, Swiss-based energy and commodities trading company Minerva Bunkering launched a new bunkering service in Mauritania after receiving a license from the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNHY), expanding its operations into West Africa. The service will operate in Mauritanian waters and ports, with initial activity focused on Nouadhibou and Nouakchott. 

The company will supply commercial vessels as well as offshore oil and gas installations operating in the region. Operations will be supported through its supply hub in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and its regional tanker fleet. 

Outlook: 

With this entry, Mauritania is gradually expanding specialized maritime services alongside the development of its offshore energy and fisheries activities. The introduction of bunkering operations adds a new logistical layer to port activity in Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, particularly for vessels linked to offshore installations and regional trade routes. 

This development comes at a time when global shipping patterns are being reshaped by geopolitical tensions and disruptions to key maritime chokepoints, which are pushing more traffic toward alternative Atlantic corridors. In this context, Mauritania’s geographic position along the West African Atlantic route gives it a favorable positioning to benefit from shifting maritime flows and related service demand. 

Growth in this segment is expected to be supported not only by offshore energy expansion but also by broader rerouting of international shipping activity toward more stable and strategically located passages. 

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.