SINGAPORE – As with so many traditionally based freight forwarding organisations GAC has concentrated much effort over the past few years on the burgeoning liquid natural gas (LNG) market and in this, the 30th year of its presence in the Republic, the Dubai headquartered logistics and marine service group is to relocate its Singapore head office in anticipation of an increase in business expected as a result of a number of major infrastructural improvements quite literally in the pipeline.
The new developments include a new LNG terminal on Jurong Island due to begin commercial operations in 2013, and the opening of Singapore's International Cruise Terminal (ICT) later this year and the company is to start training its boarding officers to handle LNG ships, drawing on the expertise of colleagues serving the sector at ports around the world to support the region's growing trade. The move has plainly delighted managing director Ronald Lichtenecker who commented:
"What started as a small ship agency operation has grown into a one-stop solution for all shipping agency and forwarding solutions, complemented by bunker trading and weather routing services, ship spare deliveries and HUB agency services. Our logistics team has also expanded, not only to cover general freight but also specialist delivery of project cargoes, with a strong focus on the oil and gas sector. Paired with GAC's global network of offices, we are able to handle freight in all parts of the world.
"Being able to celebrate our 30 years of operation in Singapore by moving to a larger, modern office to support our ongoing growth in years to come is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff over three decades which has established GAC as one of the largest and most highly regarded ship agents in Singapore. We are determined to build on that success, and 2012 will be an important year for GAC Singapore as we work to expand our services and continue to promote Singapore as a key maritime hub."
Further, in response to the opening of the new International Cruise Terminal (ICT) with two dedicated cruise berths, GAC Singapore will also tap into the Group's experience and expertise in the industry to serve the developing cruise tourism across South-East Asia and help raise Singapore's profile as a leading port and strategic hub whilst GAC Singapore's operations are supported by a firm commitment to safety and professionalism, as it upgrades the HSSE standards to Bizsafe Level 3*.
* bizSAFE is a five-step programme from the Singapore based Workplace Safety and Health Council to assist companies improve their workplace health and safety standards.
Photo: Artists impression of the new terminal courtesy of Siemens.
