World - GAC

page 2EditorialA progressreport…In late January, GAC managers from all corners of the globe gathered inDubai for a review of progress made by the Group over the past three yearsand to discuss the present strategy, Vision Y – Global Values. The meeting ofclose to 250 managers came at a time of continuing shudders in the globaleconomy.Nevertheless it was gratifying to witness the positive and determinedatmosphere that prevailed at the meeting. You can read more on pages 4-7.GAC companies are not immune to the current strife, but there wasa clear belief at the meeting that disciplined financial management backedby a solid Group balance sheet would ensure a safe passage through thetroubled times. Indeed investment opportunities may arise as a result of theturmoil. The consolidation trend in shipping and logistics over recent yearscould well pick up and this is something GAC would welcome with likemindedpartners.Environment awardDuring the meeting, a unique approach toimproving the environment was launched.Our Executive Chairman, Björn Engblomlent his support to the Chairman’s Awardfor Environmental Excellence. This awardfocuses on our local companies and aimsto reward those that achieve concreteimprovements in their environmentalimpact.GAC strongly believes in keepingthings local, whether the subject is servicedelivery or saving paper. You can read moreabout the award on page 5.SolutionsOur lead stories in this edition directattention to our newest business area,GAC Solutions. Since its launch in April2007, Solutions Vice President ChristerSjödoff has been on a relentless drive toengage with world-best service providersand producers to build partnerships thattake us into new markets and products.It has been a process marked byclose attention to detail, and no smallamount of stamina. The results are notable,particularly with GAC Weather Routing,powered by SMHI and with the steadyexpansion of GAC Fire Rescue and Safety.Our report starts on page 12.OpeningsIn the past few months, GAC has addedseveral new offices and has secured someimportant contracts. This is encouraging ina time of shrinking markets and margins. Idon’t possess a crystal ball and certainly haveno intention to offer financial predictionsfor the coming months. However, the factthat business has been sustained, expandedor renewed with existing customers canonly be a good sign.Laughing in KazakhstanGood signs too for our customers andassociates in Kazakhstan who found plentyto laugh about when GAC sponsored atour by well-known stand-up comedians,Craig Campbell and Nick Wilty. Our startuplogistics operation there has benefitedfrom the positive response to this differentapproach to promoting the GAC brand.A golfing stormGAC is pleased to welcome Europeantour professional Graeme Storm to theGAC brand. Our sponsorship of Graeme ispart of a wider strategy to bring the GACmessage into people’s homes via televisionand print media. We wish him everysuccess in ’09.Stronger linksFinally, these are times that test ourresilience and our relationships. These arealso times when we can build stronger linksto our customers through our reliabilityand commitment to quality. I hope youfind useful and enjoyable articles in thefollowing pages and I will be happy to hearfrom you about anything related to thisand other editions of GAC World. Happyreading!Lars HeisselbergEditorlars.heisselberg@gacworld.com

For professionals in shipping and logisticspage 5page 6Contentspage 3Editorial informationLEADEditor:Lars Heisselberg,Gulf Agency Company Ltd,Jebel Ali, Dubai. United Arab EmiratesArt & Production:BANG Public Relations SingaporeCorrespondence to:Amanda MillenEmail:gacworld@gacworld.comInformation quoted in this publication has beenobtained from several sources. Whilst every carehas been taken to ensure that details are correct,GAC cannot provide guarantees thereof.Material in this publication may be freely quoted,provided the source is clearly identified. GACWorld is printed on environmentally-friendlymanufactured paper.Contacting GACWant the contact details for a GAC office or staffmember? Please visit the Directory section of:www.gacworld.comBack copies of GAC World are available fordownload at www.gacworld.com. Click on ‘News’and then on ‘GAC World magazine’.REGULAR FEATURESGAC WRAPSolutions: The story so far... 12We all have to think smart and get creative to meet thechallenges of the current business environment – and that’sexactly the philosophy behind GAC Solutions.Insight 6A visit from the DoctorRenowned thinker and writer on economic and strategicmanagement Dr Kjell Nordström on key trends for the future ofbusiness.Wherever You Go 8GAC-OBC in the Shetland IslesThe Shetland Isles are the furthest north you can get in the UK.They are also home to key ports serving North Sea oil and gas fields.Q&A 22In conversation with Håkan WesterCompany-based Enviro Award launched 5GAC has launched an environmental excellence award focusedon the operations of its 79 operating companies around the world.+ = ?+ = ?+ = ?worldNo.2 Apr 2009Enviro AwardLaunchedA visit from theDoctorSolutions:The story so far...page 12Openings 10New offices in Mozambique, France, Warsaw and Russia.Golf pro Storm joins GAC sports stable 20European Tour golfer, Graeme Storm, is the latest sportsman tosign a sponsorship deal with GAC.Sponsors boost for Power Boat team 24GAC has signed a sponsorship deal for Qatar’s F1 powerboat racing team.

page 4GAC WrapGroupconfidencemeeting signalsdespite global gloomThe GAC Group will not deviate from its positive five-year growth strategy,despite the need for caution and diligent cost management. That was the clearmessage to almost 250 managers and partners from around the world at a GACmanagement meeting held in Dubai this January.GAC holds major management meetings every three years and the 2009event was marked by a clear message of continuance and quiet confidence.Growth“Times may be bad but they are not equallybad nor are they bad everywhere,” saidGAC Group President Lars Säfverström.“We expect our operating income togrow by 13 per cent or USD48 million in2009 and our port call volumes to reach60,000 for the year.“Marine Service remains solid andwhile our logistics and freight forwardingoperations are clearly being affected bythe global conditions, we still expect to seegrowth in that business area.”EthicsSäfverström told the management meetingthat the coming years would see strongeremphasis on clear and open corporategovernance and a greater commitment tohigh ethical standards.“I expect being ethical to align withbeing profitable as we go forward into thesecond decade of this century,” he said.Strategic planThe GAC Group has experiencedsubstantial growth over the past three yearsboth in revenue and geographical reach.The Group’s five-year strategic plan,Vision Y - Global Values, was adopted in2008.It sets a range of targets includingthose for revenue growth, operating marginsand initiatives related to staff developmentand retention.Säfverström said there would beincreased focus on improving and refininginternal processes to ensure more effectivecustomer service.“In the end our task is simple,” he said.“We have to stay close to our customersand, in these testing times, become highlyinnovative in our service offerings and in thecost savings that customers are looking for.”

GAC Wrappage 5Company-basedEnviro AwardlaunchedGAC has launched an environmentalexcellence award focused on theoperations of its 79 operatingcompanies around the world.The award, under the patronageof GAC Group Executive Chairman,Björn Engblom, recognises concrete,measurable achievements by local GACcompanies in reducing resource usage,recycling and re-using materials.Next step“GAC has been an environmentally-awareorganisation for many decades, stemmingfrom our Scandinavian roots,” says GACGroup President, Lars Säfverström.“But now we are taking the nextstep to ensure all our companies have aclear incentive to look more closely atwhat they use and what they produce tofind ways to reduce our impact on theenvironment.“We want to keep this as a locallybasedinitiative and to avoid using corporatebuzzwords like ‘carbon footprint’ and‘greenhouse gas percentages’.“The award emphasises clear andsimple achievements such as kilos of papersaved, litres of water saved, number ofprinter cartridges recycled, and so on.”PrizesKnown as The Chairman’s Award forEnvironmental Excellence, it will beawarded annually and will offer substantialmonetary prizes to those GAC companiesthat contribute most to managing theirenvironmental impact. Award winners willbe announced in early December.GAC has been anenvironmentallyawareorganisationfor many decades,stemming from ourScandinavian roots

page 6InsightA visit from theDr Kjell Nordström, a renowned thinker and writer on economic and strategicmanagement, was a keynote speaker at GAC’s recent Management InformationMeeting in Dubai.Dr Nordström has a similar perspectiveto GAC. He focuses on long term trendsand cycles. He told GAC managers that3.6 billion people in countries like India,China, Brazil, and Eastern Europe nowfinally had the chance for a better, safer,cleaner, healthier, richer lifestyle – andthey wouldn’t give up on that dream! Theirdemand for more, and better, goods andservices would not be stifled.He then went on to identify someother key trends.It’s female!Women consistently achieved highergrades than men in higher education. Andthey were now moving into top jobs inbusiness, politics and government service.Their management styles and motivations– often very different from their malecounterparts – would be increasinglyimportant influences on decision-makingat all levels.Dr Nordström said women generallydemonstrated higher levels of organisation,reliability and honesty. He pointed to themicro finance industry where most smallloans were given to women, simply becausethey had a better record of paying themback. Men took more risks while womenwere steadier and more cautious.Dr Nordström quickly added that thisdid not signal an end to having children,simply that the circumstances in whichthey are raised were changing. Indeed,rich Scandinavian countries now toppedEuropean birthrate ratings, while countrieslike Italy, Spain and Ireland (whichtraditionally had high birthrates) were atthe bottom.It’s urban!Current estimates indicated that 90% ofpeople would live in urban areas by 2040.Dr Nordström suggested that it is time toaccept cities as the driving economic andcultural forces of a region, not countries.He said the situation echoed the greatcity-states that dominated Ancient Greece(Athens, Sparta, Corinth) and RenaissanceItaly (Milan, Florence, Rome, Venice).It’s international!People were moving around more, and theirchoice of places to relocate was driven by anumber of cultural and economic forces.Dr Nordström cited Silicon Valley inthe US as a magnet for people from manycultures and creeds bound together by acommon passion, interest and talent for IT.Likewise, Marbella in Spain and Pheonix inthe US attracted older people from differentbackgrounds seeking good weather.It’s tribal!People still settled into tribes – but insteadof being hunters and gatherers, the tribeswere clusters of people sharing similarideas, aims, needs or attitudes. They couldbe clustered according to age, lifestyle,business, pleasure and so on.It’s mechanical!These trends were here to stay and theywould have a greater impact on whatwe do and where we go than the currenteconomic crisis, said Dr Nordström. Andwhile agreeing that the crisis was very real,he pointed out that such crises were justwhat Capitalism was designed to handle.Capitalism, he said, was a simplemachine for sorting the efficient from theinefficient. It exposed all businesses tothe pressures of the marketplace, and theinefficient ones “end up swimming naked”.Capitalism wasn’t a machine with a soulor any set agenda – it just applied pressureand constantly tested the worthiness of allbusinesses to survive. Essentially, it wasDarwinian.It’s personal!The family, according to Dr Nordström, isin decline. He said 60% of homes in citieslike Stockholm and Moscow were nowsingle-person households, and that figurewas rising. That means more people weremaking decisions based on personal issuesand needs.Capitalism exposes all businesses to thepressures of the marketplace, and theinefficient ones end up swimming naked.

Insightpage 7Doctor

Wherever You Gopage 9GAC-OBC Sullom Voe’s team includes: John Nicolson,Stevie Michael, John Walton and David Isbister.The team at Sumburgh Airport includes: BrydonRobertson, Theo Sandison, Chris Joyce, Erik Peterson,Stephen Burgess and Craig Robertson.GAC-OBC Sumburgh also handle helicopters used fortransits to North Sea oil installations.

page 10OpeningsBonjour!GAC has opened up in Lille, France,to develop new logistics business,develop trade lanes and manage keyaccounts throughout Western Europe.The new office is run by EuropeanKey Account Manager GuillaumeGilleron (right).“Lille is the ideal location for usbecause it is halfway between Paris andBrussels and will bring us closer to ourcustomers,” says Gunnar Lundgren, GAC’sRegional Logistics Manager based inPrague. “Not surprisingly, Guillaume willfocus on France and the Benelux countries(Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg).”SolidHaving worked for GAC in Singaporeand Hong Kong, Guillaume brings solidcredentials in European/Asian trade lanescoupled with extensive knowledge of theEuropean logistics market.“I’m looking forward to this challenge,”he says, “particularly working with Gunnarto strengthen our relationships with newand existing clients.”Warsawlogistics office opensGAC has a new sales office, set up to meetgrowing demand for logistics services inPoland.The new office is located in Warsawas most of the country’s logistics businessis controlled in and around the capital. Itjoins GAC’s existing bases in Szczecin andGdynia which provide essential sea freightconnections.The Warsaw office is headed byindustry veteran Jaroslaw Kasprzyk (SalesManager, GAC Poland) reporting to MDRyszard Karger.

Openingspage 11GAC to supportMozambique portsGAC is now operational in Maputo,Mozambique, with a second office tofollow in Beira.“Our plan is to support the country’sinfrastructure development and establishMozambique ports as crucial gatewaysto the landlocked economies of southernAfrica,” explains Erland Ebbersten,Regional Director for the EMAF region.Alongside general ship agency work,the operation will focus on the country’sgrowing Energy sector.“The global energy market figuresprominently on our strategic radar, soexpanding into Mozambique is a naturalprogression,” says Erland. “Rising bulkcargo volumes coming through Maputodue to congestion in other regional ports,plus the impact of the country’s fledglingcoal industry, will add up to a busy 2009and beyond.”GAC Russiarestructures to servenew marketsArkady Podkopaev – Backin Moscow after three yearswith GAC Turkemenistan.GAC has restructured its Russian operationsto optimise resources and better serve thecountry’s fast growing offshore sector.GAC Shipping & Logistics Ltd.has been established with its head officein Moscow, coordinating branches inNovorossiysk and St Petersburg. A thirdbranch office was recently opened at thenew port of Taman on the Black Sea.New marketsArkady Podkopaev has returned to hisnative Russia as General Manager afterthree years with GAC in Turkmenistan.He says: “By restructuring its businessin Russia, GAC is able to focus on ourcore services and customers. We are alsobetter positioned and equipped to explorenew markets such as marine services forthe offshore industry in Russian territorialwaters.”The GAC Group’s first office in theRussian Federation opened in Novorossiyskin 2001 to provide shipping services atBlack Sea oil terminals. As the businessexpanded, additional services such asfreight forwarding and crewing were added.The St Petersburg office opened in 2005.

page 12SolutionsSolutions:The story so far….by Christer SjödoffGroup Vice President- SolutionsEverywhere you go these days, you hear the same buzz words over and over- safety, security, environment and cost efficiency. But for me, the biggest buzzword is: partnership.We all have to think smart and get creative to meet the challenges of thecurrent business environment – and that’s exactly the philosophy behind GACSolutions.Our aim is to forge strategic alliances withcompanies that are best-in-class withintheir industries but who are not yet or onlypartly involved in the maritime industry,and to market their specialist offerings toour shipping or logistics customers.Two weeks to two yearsThe market has welcomed our initiativesthus far. We have had strong interest bothfrom potential customers for the existingGAC Solutions products (see storiesfollowing) and from companies interestedin forging alliances.Since GAC Solutions was formed inApril 07, more than 50 potential partnershave contacted us and we have spentanything from a couple of weeks to twoyears examining the possibilities.We want to be absolutely surethat the solutions we offer are ones thatour customers need - and that we forgepartnerships with the right people todeliver them. GAC has a strong reputationso it is important for us to work only withpartners who truly are ‘best-in-class’ andwhose business cultures and ethics matchours.TraditionI could hail GAC Solutions as a newinitiative, but the truth is that it is simplya natural evolution in the Group’s longstandingtradition of innovation. Thesame tradition that gave us: Gulf TransferServices to handle ship-to-ship transfers;Ship Supply Services for deliveriesto vessels offshore; Hot Port News tokeep our shipping customers informed;Consolidation services in the Gulf; Sea/Airfreight services via the Gulf; GAC MarineLogistics for door-to-deck delivery of ships’spares; and so on.In keeping with that tradition, GACemployees from throughout the Group areregularly suggesting possible partnershipsunder the Solutions banner.The stableThe GAC Solutions stable now consists ofGAC-Fire Rescue & Safety, GAC-SMHI,providing weather planning solutions andGAC Workwear, a partnership with theSwedish workwear leader Fristads. Rightnow there are another dozen potentialservices at various stages of evaluation andwe hope to add at least two of them to ourportfolio this year.Winning formulaResearch & Development is one of thekeystones upon which we are building ourfuture, along with an open mind, the abilityto change, and continued improvements inexisting mature services.Whatever the future holds for GACSolutions, one thing is certain. Our success willdepend on our ability to listen to the marketswe serve and then to add our commercialexperience and a little imagination. Andthat’s what we going to do.For more information about GAC Solutions, go towww.gacworld.com/solutions or contact Christer atsolutions@gacworld.com

Solutionspage 13

page 14SolutionsGAC-SMHIWeather Solutions:Charting a course through stormy waters1997 - The Azores, mid-Atlantic Ocean: The ‘MSC Carla’ breaks in two inheavy seas. The front part of the vessel sinks, but the aft is salvaged and towed to theCanary Islands.1998 - The Pacific Ocean: The ‘APL China’ is hit by very rough weather en routefrom Asia to the USA, causing the worst container disaster ever.2007 - The English Channel, South-West of England: Battered by awinter storm, the ‘MSC Napoli’ almost capsizes and is pushed aground with a crackin its hull. Many containers are lost overboard and beached, and escaping oil causespollution along the southern coast of England.2009 - Makassar Strait, Indonesia: A ferry sinks in rough seas, with an estimatedloss of more than 300 lives.When a ship is delayed by bad weather,there are big costs – more steamingtime, more bunkers, lost business and inextreme cases disasters like the above thatcan run into millions.Throughout recorded history, shipshave been at the mercy of the wind andwaves. These have claimed countlessvessels along with their cargo and crew.Wild cardEven today, the weather remains the ‘wildcard’ when calculating a ship’s course.And with ship operators liable not onlyfor damages to their vessels and cargoes,but also for the environmental impactof any losses or accidents, the stakes arehigh. The Scandinavian Central Union ofMarine Underwriters (CEFOR) reports analarming increase of 86% in average hullclaims over a five year period.Joining forcesIt was with all that in mind that GAC joinedforces with the Swedish Meteorologicaland Hydrological Institute in October 2007to form GAC-SMHI Weather Solutions.The strategic alliance brings together thespecialist knowledge of the Institute– one of the world’s top five weatherrouting services providers – with theGAC Group’s capabilities in shipping,logistics and marine to offer customisedproducts and meteorological expertiseto help global maritime business achievegreater profitability and safety.Life, fuel, time, moneyIn December last year, GAC-SMHI’sProducts Manager Lennart Cederbergand Commercial Manager Syed FakhrulIslam addressed the Maritime ArbitrationConference in London about the benefitsof leveraging weather intelligence toachieve optimum routes that increaseefficiency and reduce costs.“It is one thing to have loadsof information and data – it is quiteanother to use them for benefit,” saysSyed. “We do this by harnessing newmethods and technologies to help shipowners plan proactively to achieve safersea transportation and cargo handling,realistic ETA planning, lower bunkerconsumption, minimal environmentalimpact and fewer acrimonious claims.“It’s all about saving lives, fuel, timeand money.”Costs under controlOne of the key GAC-SMHI benefits isin cutting bunker fuels consumption.Research indicates that ship owners cansave 5-10% on their bunker costs byusing the GAC-SMHI weather solutionsportfolio.Customised weather routingservices are currently offered separately oras part of an integrated service which caninclude GAC ship agency, bunker supply,and logistics services for ship spares orother necessities. Further research &development to expand and enhance theservice package is underway.For further information contact Syed FakhrulIslam at syedfakhrul.islam@gacworld.com

Solutionspage 15GAC SMHI meteorologistsuse state-of-the-art technologyto predict weather patternsRouting advice savesIn August last year, GAC-SMHI warnedthe Master of Pacific InternationalLines’ M.V. ‘Kota Nazim’ of heavy seasas he approached Cape Town.He heeded the warning.By the time abnormalwaves up to 12-14 metreshigh hit the area, Capt.Mohammad and his shipwere safely at shelter off theeast coast of South Africa,where they waited out thestorm without incident.An unhappier fateawaited another vessel in thesame vicinity which disregarded GAC-SMHI’s warnings. By continuing itsjourney, the ship sustained considerableweather damage that could run intomillions.Capt. Alex convertsWhen it comes to new digital navigationaltools, Captain Alex Adriano ranges fromcautious to downright sceptical. TheGAC-SMHI weather routing system wasno exception, but experience has madehim a convert.“It’s a whole new way of optimisingroute/fuel/speed,” he says. “It can easily beconfigured by the Captain himself, and noinfrastructure investment is required toinstall it – just a normal computer.“On several occasions, the system hasadvised me to take a completely differentroute to what I wouldusually follow, butwith good reason. Thequality of weatherforecasting is reliable,as you would expectfrom a real weatherinstitution and not justa software provider.”Captain Adrianonow uses the system for all his routeplanning. Time is a major factor - previouslyhe would spend up to three hours for hisroute planning using Navtex, web-basedweather sites and a weather fax. Today thejob takes 30 minutes.

page 16SolutionsGAC FRSexpandson customer demandConstant customer concerns about health, safety, security and environmentalissues drive the business for GAC Fire, Rescue & Safety (GAC FRS). And 2008was a year of steady rises in the number of clients seeking its specialist services.GAC FRS was formed in April 2007 as a strategic alliance between GACand international fire & safety solutions specialist Tyco Fire & Security Asia. InJanuary last year it expanded into northern Europe via Denmark and later in theyear set up operations in Istanbul.Dealing directA core advantage of GAC FRS is that itenables clients to deal directly with thedesigners and engineers of some of theworld’s most innovative onboard fire,safety and security systems. The servicesalso include:• Sourcing, servicing and supply of classapprovedfire, rescue, safety and otherequipment and systems;• Engineering and installation for anyvessels including retrofits, conversionsand new buildings.Tailor-made solutionOne of the jobs GAC FRS Denmarkcompleted in 2008 was to provide aleading wind turbine manufacturer withradio communication and smoke detectionsystems for temporary accommodationunits onboard repair vessels off the Danishcoast. The demands of the job were veryspecific.“They needed a smoke detector/alarm system which could show in whichcabin the alarm is raised,” says TomNorderhaug, Managing Director of GACFRS Denmark. “Our service partner cameup with idea of using hand-held UHFradios connected to the detectors. Theclient was very happy with both the lowcost and rapid installation of the system.We now have a lease contract with themand will soon be installing our third systemon board another of their vessels.”Spectrum of serviceMany GAC FRS customers link intoGAC’s wider range of shipping, logisticsand marine services worldwide.One such customer asked GACFRS for help in handling spare parts fromDenmark, elsewhere in Europe and evenas far afield as the Philippines. GAC FRScame up with the goods through its linkswith GAC’s logistics network, and theynow regularly arrange delivery of anythingfrom huge tank valves to tiny O-rings forthis client.For further information please contact Tom Norderhaug at tom.norderhaug@gacworld.com

Solutionspage 17Workwearfor all seasGAC Workwear came about becauseChrister Sjödoff (right) was given a set ofFristads stevedoring clothes for a holidayjob when he was 16.“I looked at myself in these clothesand I thought ‘Wow! These guys aresmart designers!’ ” he recalls.Some decades later, that memorycame back to him and he called Fristadsfor a meeting. At first Fristads was notinterested. It took a number of calls forwhat was being offered to become clear.Fristads is Northern Europe’spowerhouse producer of workwear foranyone on land. Before Sjödoff called,they had never considered going to sea.The demands from seagoing customersare different. They want smaller batches,no middlemen, and short delivery leadtimes. But the clothes are in fact similar towhat is already in the Fristads catalogue.“Fristads didn’t have to radicallyredesign their range, they simply hadto find a pathway to get it to this newmarket segment,” says Sjödoff. “GAC wasthat pathway.”Sjödoff emphasises that customersget much more than a pair of pantsand a good rain jacket. He argues thatGAC workwearoffers safety, highf u n c t i o n a l i t y,improved staffretention (becausethey look sosmart), cost savingsthrough longlastinghigh qualitymaterials, and apowerful brandingopportunity.“High value workwear stamps qualityall over a company’s image,” he says. “Itturns every staff member into a walkingadvertisement.”Fristads factories can tailor workwearitems to suit specific needs in relativelysmall batches. This allows customers greatflexilibity when it comes to choice andimproved cash flow from not having to buyin bulk.Sjödoff says another advantage forcustomers comes from the linkage ofGAC Workwear to GAC Marine Logistics.Workwear stocks can be stored anddistributed by GML from a range of portsworldwide.High value workwear stampsquality all over a company’simageFor further information contact Christer Sjödoff at christer.sjodoff@gacworld.com

page 18GAC WrapLaughterconsignment to KazakhstanGAC has delivered unusual commodities to all parts of the globebut November 08 marked a first when more than 300 ex-pats inKazakhstan were delivered a dose of laughter.Stand-up comics Craig Campbell and NickWilty did a six-day tour of three Kazakhcities to promote GAC’s new offices in thecountry and connect with key stakeholdersin Central Asia’s oil and gas industry.The tour was organised and hostedby Laurance Langdon, Group ProjectLogistics Manager. Laurance had workedwith the comic duo when he was involvedin the stand-up circuit in Shanghai andaround the Far East.

GAC Wrappage 19GAC inks newPhilippines pharma dealGAC Shipping & Cargo SystemsPhilippines has renewed its contractwith the country’s top pharmaceuticaldistributing company, Zuellig PharmaCorp.The new deal extends a 10-yearpartnership between the two companies.During that time GAC has providedcomprehensive customs clearance anddomestic air, sea & land transportationservices throughout the Luzon, Visayasand Mindanao regions.The contract was signed by GACPhilippines’ President and ManagingDirector, Jake Cuerva, and ZuelligPharma’s Vice President for Distribution,John Weston, at a ceremony attended byBill Hill, the GAC Group’s Vice President– Logistics Services.Crucial roleMr Weston said it was a great pleasureto extend the contract with GACPhilippines.“GAC plays a crucial role in oursuccess by providing efficient logisticalsupport to our nationwide network,”he said, “and has proved adept atimplementing logistics initiatives in closecollaboration with us.”Powerful tool“We wanted to promote GAC’s newoffices and services in Kazakhstan in away that would appeal to the growingex-pat community,” he says.“Laughter is a powerfulcommunications tool and a creativealternative to the traditional corporatelaunch.”A fresh approachGAC has served Kazakhstan’s growingenergy sector since June 2008. GeneralManager Matthew Towse says theComedy Tour was a fresh way to connectwith existing and potential clients andto underline the GAC philosophy ofstepping outside the box.“The tour certainly raised ourprofile in the minds of a very specifictargeted audience,” says Matthew. “Wehave already received some serious andpromising business enquiries as a result.”GAC Thailand has signed a three-yeardeal with jewelry exporter JewelsAgent.com Co. Ltd. - thanks to ‘The 3 Cs’:creativity, cooperation and commitmentto success.By proposing a package thatincluded Free Zone warehousing andservices, GAC helped its customerachieve savings of up to 25% on dutiesand 7% on VAT.JewelsAgent produces and exportsjewelry, largely to the United States,where Wal-Mart is one of its majorclients. Under the agreement, GAC’sresponsibilities include handling twice‘The 3 Cs’seal gem of a dealweekly shipments to the US, as well as airimport/export duties, customs clearanceand warehouse rental and management.The deal was driven by GACThailand’s Business DevelopmentManager, Eerez Agmoni.He says: “The client was keen tocut costs so they could reduce the pricesof their finished product. However,competition was fierce on cargo rates, sowe had to get creative. And in the GACtradition, we came up with a solution bytaking advantage of the benefits of FreeZone operations.”

page 20GAC WrapWELCOMED:…to Abu Dhabi, the NYK-Hinode vessel‘Muroto’. NSGAC Abu Dhabi’s IngemarPorathe presented her Captain, Alejandro B.Guzman, with a commemorative plaque tomark her maiden call to the port.The ‘Muroto’ is expected to be aregular visitor as part of the NYK-HinodeLine, which serves the Middle East Gulf with4-5 sailings per month carrying cargo fromJapan.VICTORIOUS:GAC-sponsored golf pro Richard Sterneat the South Africa Open, in December,beating Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybinin a play-off at the Pearl Valley course.Richard, a native South African, had a big2008, winning the Joburg Open and theAlfred Dunhill Championship prior to hisPearl Valley win.Golf proStojoins GAC spMARKED:The start of GAC Qatar’s three-yearcommitment to Doha College’s sportsprogramme, with General Manager MichaelSturesson presenting Team Captains withtheir new the GAC-branded kit.Mark Leppard, Principal of the College,says the sponsorship relationship is mutuallybeneficial and shows GAC’s commitmentto supporting education and the localcommunity.WRAPPED UP:A 23-foot long helicopter owned by UnitedHelicopters Hanger, Mumbai, ready for itstrip to Qatar, in an operation handled byGAC India. Loading the chopper (whichwas also 11 feet wide and 13 feet high) onto a 40-foot flat-bed container might havebeen a challenge but Ravi Menon, SudhakarShetty, Vipesh Chande, Vaishali and Gowariwere undaunted. They coordinated everystage of the process including preparation,on-site supervision, packing, and loading.STRENGTHENED:Marine operations and growthopportunities in the EMAFregion are being strengthenedwith the appointment of GregFlint as Regional Marine Manager. EMAF’sRegional Director, Erland Ebbersten says theappointment will lend more vigour both toexisting operations and to the pursuit of newbusiness in the region, particularly in WestAfrica. Greg was formerly General Manager ofGAC Turkmenistan, where GAC runs a majorMarine and integrated services operation.RECOGNISED:GAC Singapore’s efforts to ensure a healthyworkplace, with a Bronze Award in theSingapore HEALTH (Helping EmployeesAchieve Life-Time Health) Awards.Says GAC Singapore’s MD IvoVerheyen: “The health and wellbeing of ouremployees are very important to us. To backthat up, we have recently rolled out healthscreening for all employees to be followedby a series of health talks, sports activitiesand events which will be organised in thecoming year.”Correction:Apologies (and congratulations) to GACWorld reader, Boris Leyton, and all othersharp-eyed heliphiles! They spotted that thephotograph on page 8 of the last issue didnot show a Super Puma helicopter taking offfrom Beirut Port, as stated in the caption.Our readers advise that the pictureactually showed a Bell Huey 1H - 1H/E, oneof two other helicopters that GAC Lebanonhelped load for their return to Spain formaintenance.DOINGGOODSupportingcommunities aroundthe world: Dubai

GAC Wrappage 21rmorts stableEuropean Tour golfer, Graeme Storm, isthe latest sportsman to sign a sponsorshipdeal with GAC.Storm has been professional since2000 and last year finished the JohnnieWalker Championships at Gleneagles asrunner-up. That was one of three top tenfinishes in the season.He clinched his maiden title in theOpen de France ALSTOM in 2007 andhas had nine top-5 finishes, seven top-10 finishes and an additional 18 top-20finishes.Brand-buildingBill Hill, Group Vice President, LogisticsServices, says: “Our sponsorship of Graemecomplements existing relationships withCrystal Palace FC, pro golfer Richard Sterne,Formula 3’s Viktor Jensen and Palmer AudiChampionship driver Alex Brundle, andwill carry the GAC brand into living roomsaround the world.”All businesses aim to do well. GAC alsoaims to do good.GAC Dubai put that philosophy intopractice by joining with St Mary’s CatholicChurch to provide 250 men from theEmirate’s labour camps with a meal andgift packages.Phil Showering, General ManagerLogistics, handed out GAC’s gifts, notingthat the packages contained practicalconsumables such as toiletries and shirts.Giving something back“Most of the workers at the camps are along way from home but they are a vitalpart of Dubai’s economy,” says Phil. “Wehope that events like this help make theirlives a little easier.“Supporting good local causes– regardless of race or religion – embodiesthe GAC Spirit. We want to give somethingback to our community and to those lessfortunate than us.”In August last year, GAC Dubai alsotook part in a Children’s Festival organisedby St. Mary’s Church, by providing lunchkits for 140 children over a three-dayperiod.

GAC Facespage 23Moves &AppointmentsGAC Samudera Logistics / GAC SamuderaFreight Services, IndonesiaHari KrishnanManaging DirectorPreviously:Business Manager.Gerrit LaubscherGeneral ManagerPreviously:Worked for the Capespan Group,South Africa, for more than 20years.GAC AngolaFrançois TraversaShipping ManagerPreviously:Assistant Manager of Sea InvestShipping Agency in Dunkerque,France.GAC Hong KongAlwyn MendoncaManaging DirectorPer JohannissonShipping ManagerGAC NigeriaAyodele PopoolaOperations Manager, ShippingPreviously:Business Manager – Logistics forGAC Hong Kong.Previously:Operations Manager for UnifeederSweden AB.Previously:Traffic Accounts Manager for GACNigeria.GAC Regional Projects Logistics, Middle EastDarren BallRegional Projects –Logistics ManagerPreviously:General Manager of GAC LogisticsBV in Rotterdam, Netherlands.Bob BandosPresident of GAC Shipping (USA)Inc., in addition to duties asPresident & CEO of GAC-RURPreviously:President & CEO of GAC-RUR.GAC USATim KarlManager of GAC Houston OfficePreviously:LNG Manager at GAC Houston.GAC Sri LankaAsoka KalansooriyaGalle Station ManagerPreviously:Operations Manager for P&ONedlloyd Keells Pvt. Ltd.EMAF RegionGreg FlintRegional Marine ManagerPreviously:General Manager - GACTurkmenistan.GAC TurkmenistanGerry RowlandsGeneral ManagerPreviously:Technical Manager - GAC MarineTurkmenistan.GAC Strategic Purchasing Unit, BangkokThanida AmornpatsophonStrategic Purchasing UnitManager – Air FreightPreviously:Strategic Purchasing Unit Executive- Air Freight.GAC Logistics(based in Thailand, reporting to HQ)John FauldsGlobal Account ManagerPreviously:Strategic Purchasing UnitManager - Air Freight at theGAC Strategic Purchasing Unit inBangkok, ThailandGAC Bunker Fuels LondonMartyn McMahonMarketing CoordinatorPreviously:Worked in a trade support functionfor the Gas, Power and CO2desks at Morgan Stanley, London.Previously worked for Blue Oceanand STASCO, for six years.GAC Logistics UK, ManchesterDavid BurckBranch ManagerPreviously:Manager of the RIF WorldwideLimited Manchester office.LOOKING FOR CONTACT DETAILS?Many GAC staff are listed in the directory section of the GAC website: www.gacworld.comJust type in the surname of the person you are looking for in the Name Search field in the“Directory” section of the site.

page 24GAC WrapSponsor boost forPower Boat teamQatar’s F1 power boat racing team willbenefit from a sponsorship deal signed byQatar Marine Sport Federation (QMSF)and GAC Qatar.For its part GAC will see its logoprominently displayed at F1 races andwill be able to offer customers the thrillof watching the high-speed races up closefrom the VIP area.ExtensionThe deal arises from GAC’s close workingrelationship with QMSF, handling locallogistics for the racing teams over the pastfive years.QMSF President and power boatpilot Sheik Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani saidthe Federation was proud to have GAC asa sponsor.GAC Qatar’s General Manager,Michael Sturesson, says it is an honour tosupport the world class team, noting thatTeam Qatar’s Ray Price clinched the worldchampionship last season.ProfileGAC Qatar has a strong reputation forproviding specialist sport logistics. Besidesthe F1 Power Boat races, it has taken careof international events such as the DohaAsian Games, MotoGP, Superbikes andClass 3 Boat race.www.gacworld.com