GAC's restructuring of UK services to help support offshore energy sector

Dubai-headquartered global shipping, logistics and marine services group GAC has announced the merger of its UK operations to better meet clients' needs, effective January 1, a company statement said yesterday.

Shipping services company GAC-OBC, with more than 20 offices throughout the UK, becomes GAC Shipping (UK), alongside GAC Logistics (UK), GAC's UK freight forwarding arm. In-house travel agency, GAC-OBC Business Travel, is now GAC Travel.

Former Managing Director of GAC-OBC, Peter Cole, has been appointed MD of the three companies. The new structure will be a major benefit for both national and international clients, the statement said.

"We operate in a world where customers want more integrated service packages and cost benefits that come with them. I expect the new GAC organisation in the UK to be able to provide unique service options for our clients, from the Shetland Isles to Bournemouth and all stops in between," said Cole.

He said the linkage to GAC's global shipping and logistic networks gives the company added strength and financial resources to develop local operations for international clients.

With two-way trade between the Middle East and the UK is estimated to be worth at least $40 billion (Dh146.8bn) per year, shippers moving commodities to and from the UK now benefit from even better services from GAC's comprehensive network in both regions, said Dan Hjalmarsson, GAC Group Vice-President for Middle East.

GAC's Group Vice-President for Europe, Mediterranean and Africa, Erland Ebbersten, said the integration of its UK operations further strengthens GAC's global strategy to support the offshore energy sector: "Our shipping services to the energy sector in the UK have been comprehensive and have expanded in 2009 with the opening of offices in Ramsgate and Harwich in support of the wind farm industry, and in Plymouth to meet the specific needs of our road fuels [petrol and diesel] clients," he said.

"This latest integration 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 extended to the Arctic Circle," he said.

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