The Chairman - GAC

GAC WRAP
UK services combined and
strengthened
GAC has merged its shipping and logistics operations in the UK
under the leadership of GAC-OBC Managing Director Peter Cole.
Former GAC UK Logistics MD, Stuart
Bowie, goes to Dubai to take up the new
post of Group Sales Director.
In the merged operation GAC-
OBC becomes GAC Shipping (UK) Ltd,
alongside GAC Logistics (UK) Ltd, GAC’s
UK freight forwarding arm. GAC-OBC
Business Travel is now GAC Travel Ltd.
Integrated
“Previously, GAC in the UK spoke with
several voices to our international clients,”
says Peter Cole. “Now we speak with
one voice and I expect this to bring both
immediate and long term benefits in how
we respond to their needs.
“We operate in a world where
customers want more integrated service
packages and the cost benefits that come
with them.
“I expect the new organisation will
provide unique options for our clients,
from the Shetland Isles to Avonmouth, and
all stops in between.”
Supporting offshore energy
GAC UK combines a suite of shipping
services at all UK ports with an equally broad
range of clearing, forwarding, airfreight and
seafreight services from its ten logistics
offices – double the previous number.
Group Vice President for Europe,
Mediterranean & Africa, Erland Ebbersten,
says the UK integration will add strength to
GAC’s work in the offshore energy sector.
“Our services to the UK energy
sector expanded in 2009 with new offices
in Ramsgate and Harwich in support of the
wind farm industry, and in Plymouth to
meet the specific needs of our automotive
fuels clients,” he says.
“This adds significant muscle to the
upstream and downstream logistics side of
the industry. It also links in well with the
continued northward march of our offshore
support services, which have recently
extended beyond the Arctic Circle.”
Three Maidens
‘Hello, goodbye’ to Muscat
When the cruise liner “Ocean Village
Two” sailed into Muscat for the first time
in November, it was destined also to be
her last visit to the Omani port. She was
on her last tour of the Mediterranean and
Middle East before being renamed and redeployed
to Australian waters.
GAC Oman was there to welcome
the 245 metre-long ship, with 11 passenger
decks and a distinctive dolphin-shaped
stern, to Port Sultan Qaboos. The company
oversaw her berthing as well as the
disembarkation of about half of her 1,660
passengers for sightseeing ashore.
Tango in Abu Dhabi…
When the M/V ‘Tango’ made her maiden
voyage to the UAE port of Jebel Dhanna,
NSGAC Abu Dhabi marked the occasion
with a commemorative certificate
presented to her master, Capt. A.W.
Fernando. The ‘Tango’ was in Jebel Dhanna
to load crude oil before heading to a Shipto-Ship
operation off Dubai, then topping
up at Zirku Island. All three calls were
under GAC’s agency.
Piped…
A plaque was also presented to the master
of the Iino Kaiun Kaisha vessel MV ‘Crane
Island’ when she made her maiden call to
the port of Abu Dhabi, to discharge pipes.
APRIL 2010 | GAC WORLD 13