Nitin Pandea | CEO, United Docks
Real estate development in the heart of the Capital with an avant-garde approach combining sustainability and innovation. In a nutshell this is the vision of United Docks, led by its dynamic CEO, Nitin Pandea. The Docks, its flagship architectural project around the port, aims to become the preferred workplace for professionals and investors.
United Docks : Roots in Port-Louis since the 19th century
The origins of United Docks Ltd go back to the late nineteenth century. In 1874, Albion Docks Co Ltd was set up at the port, followed by New Mauritius Docks Ltd 1876. Albion Docks Co Ltd and New Mauritius Docks Co. Ltd went on to become strategic players in the sugar and maritime industries. The strategic importance of the docks grew considerably and became the linchpin for the economic development of Mauritius. Nearly one century down the line, in 1973, Albion Docks Co Ltd and New Mauritius Docks Co. Ltd merged, resulting in the creation of Societe United Docks Ltd. On 1st October 1991, United Docks Ltd was incorporated taking over all the assets of the Societe United Docks and has since been listed on the official market of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
United Docks is at present the biggest private land owner in the capital city of Port Louis with around 100,000 sqm of prime freehold land with sea frontage. United Docks has a Gross Leasable Area of 20,000 sqm and operates two business parks in Port Louis and also the first Park and Ride facility of Mauritius with 700 parking bays. United Docks is also a listed real estate developer. It is involved in property development, property management and investment activities. United Docks has a total assets base exceeding MUR 2.5 Billion, a Net Assets Value of MUR 2 Billion and a market capitalisation of MUR 1 Billion.
The Docks : a new place to be in Port-Louis for start-ups and investors
Naming its avant-garde architectural project to be located at Caudan “The Docks” can be viewed as a nod from United Docks towards its rich historical legacy. Apart from that, this project, is a direct leap in the future, set to be at par with the values of Millennials and the needs of the Digital Natives of the Generation Z. As CEO Nitin Pandea puts it: “The Docks is shaping up as the “New business district in Port-Louis” where “Tech, Fintech and Start-ups converge”. Moreover, it will also encompass a green and eco-friendly environment where entrepreneurs will thrive in nurturing their business.” The idea of creating a hub where an ecosystem meets, networks and interacts is a guiding principle for this visionary project which aims to accommodate around 2 000 professionals. The first phase of the project has already been launched in October 2020. Nitin Pandea indicates: “The 1st phase which consists of building 30,000 sqm of premium office space at the cost of MUR 2 Billion investment was kicked-off in October 2020. The tender was awarded to General Construction, a Mauritian company. The second Phase was launched -in April this year, despite the pandemic context. The construction of this second tower has been entrusted to China Jiangsu International Economic Technical Corporation Group Mauritius. Both companies will work side by side and hundreds of workers will benefit from this employment opportunity.
An incurable optimist, the dynamic CEO believes in the attractiveness of The Docks location. “The Docks is at a strategic location on M1 Motorway in Port Louis, it connects easily to the port, the airport, Ebene, Grand-Baie, Black River and the whole island. Furthermore, with access to Park and Ride by United Docks facilities, businesses connect easily to the city centre.” He states: “Moreover, the nucleus of “The Docks” will be innovation. It will be a melting pot with a perfect harmony between players of the ecosystem which will comprise of Start-Ups, Accelerators, Business Angels, the Diaspora community, Venture Capitalists, SMEs, Conglomerates and MNCs.”
In short, under Nitin Pandea’s leadership, United Docks aims for the “The Docks” to be “the new happening place” in Port-Louis where professionals and investors come together to work, live and play. Indeed, subsequent phases will feature a marina, luxury apartments, a vibrant commercial boulevard, a resort and an iconic mixed-use tower, along second Park and Drive space at Trou- Fanfaron.
Fanfaron Quays : Nesting the Fintech startup ecosystem of Mauritius
As a firm believer in Fintech and a supporter of young entrepreneurs and technopreneurs, Nitin Pandea is very active within the local startup ecosystem. In particular, he collaborates extensively with the Mauritius Africa FinTech Hub (MAFH)… “Michal Szymanski, the CEO of MAFH and myself worked together to refurbish an old warehouse in Fanfaron Quays and transform it into a conducive fintech hub for start-ups.” Subsequently the MAFH has moved to Fanfaron Quays (MAFH) and is hosted rent-free by United Docks.
“The transformed warehouse now accommodates 33 Fintech start- ups and has 14 big corporate members. It is a happening place for technopreneurs setting up businesses in apps development, block chain, crowd funding, regtech, cloud-based solutions & payment gateways, amongst others. The hub also proposes co-working spaces and regularly organises impactful networking events,” explains Nitin Pandea. He further announces: “A first start-up will shortly move out of the incubation phase from the MAFH to join the unique Fintech ecosystem of TheDocks.mu.”
Park and Ride: A Success Story
Four years ago, United Docks came up with the vision to start the first Park and Ride of Mauritius in Caudan and created a facility of 700 parking bays with non- stop shuttles (every 10 minutes) connecting Caudan to the City Centre from 7am to 7pm. The project required significant investment in infrastructure and logistics.
The CEO of United Docks, Nitin Pandea recalls: “Most people we shared the idea with were skeptic and did not believe in the concept. But, despite the negative feedback from this disruptive innovation initiative, United Docks implemented Park and Ride in 2017. Today the Park and Ride facility is not only a successful and viable project of United Docks Ltd (UTDL), but also an ecologically- friendly initiative which helps to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 300 tons annually with less vehicles commuting to the city centre. I am proud to say that in 3 years, Park and Ride helped to reduce CO2 emissions in Port Louis by more than 1000 tons.”
The CEO of United Docks points outs that the staff of all the major conglomerates in Port Louis are users of the Park and Ride facility, and the latter having mostly opted for monthly subscriptions. He furthermore notes the emergence of day users coming to Port Louis for business meetings and who have been increasingly using this facility. Taking the new trend into account as well as the demand for Park and Drive facilities, United Docks is considering a second parking bay, catering for up to 800 parking spots at Fanfaron Quay in the future, once the flagship project The Docks is completed.
A few words about the CEO of United Docks, Nitin Pandea (FCCA).
All days are different. The alarm goes off at 7:30 a.m., and at 8:00 a.m., we retrieve the hydrophone from the water. Soon after, we all help with the ship’s “morning cleaning.” In parallel, at 07:00, we will begin the “sighting survey,” in which two people, one on the Port Side and the other on the Starboard Side, will conduct one-hour observations of the megafauna (from seabirds to whales). The “sighting survey” concludes at 18:00 and is based on a volunteer roster. After the morning cleaning, I usually go up the bridge for the “sighting survey” until lunchtime. Some mornings, we may go out at sea in shallow areas in RHIBs (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats) to collect eDNA (Environmental DNA), or we may collect eDNA from the ship itself in deeper waters. After lunch, we can either continue with the “sighting survey” or, if we find whales, we can use the RHIBS to get closer to them so we can identify them. The day usually ends at 17:00, but this can vary depending on how much work we have to do.
United Docks is at present the biggest private land owner in the capital city of Port Louis with around 100,000 sqm of prime freehold land with sea frontage.”
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