GAC announced the launch of its new global supply chain management service to meet the demand for fast and efficient delivery of ship spares and marine parts.

GAC is one of biggest independent shipping agent in the world, with offices in the Americas, Europe, Mediterranean and Black Sea, Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and East Asia. An extensive network of partner agents, coordinated by GAC's Hub Agency Centres in Houston, Athens, Dubai and Singapore, provides coverage at ports where GAC does not have an office.

Another activity of the GAC Group worldwide is forwarding, transportation and distribution. Besides traditional forwarding services, GAC operates as NVOCC under the name of CargoGulf and as groupage air cargo carrier, under the name AirGulf Express. In a number of countries GAC is partner in joint ventures with major international courier companies. GAC staff and companies have extensive experience of project cargo operations.

GAC is also active in Marine contracting and offshore support. The Group owns and operates a fleet of tugs as well as advanced craft such as heavy lift barges, safety and standby tugs for rig moves as well as a wide variety of barges.

By leveraging on the group's combined infrastructure and core expertise in logistics, ship agency and marine services, GAC has created GAC Marine Logistics Inc (GML), a company dedicated to offering ship owners and spares suppliers an integrated and seamless door-to-vessel solution.

"GAC has traditionally been involved in the delivery of ship spares since 1956 as part of our ship agency services. Now with GML, we have extended our service all the way from pick-up at the ship suppliers' door to delivery aboard ship," says Chris Steibelt, Managing Director, GAC Marine Logistics Inc.

GML benefits ship owners and spares suppliers seeking a reliable, faster and simpler way to deliver their ship spares and marine parts. To ensure time and cost efficiency, GML offers a wide range of transportation options such as air or sea freight, courier, or road transportation which best meets their requirements.

The process is simple: the customer confirms purchase order details either by email, fax or phone to the GML Hub, or through direct input into the GML web-based tracking system. Instructions are then automatically relayed to the GML network partner for delivery co-ordination with spares supplier and destination agent. The customer will also receive email alerts as the spare part is moved along the supply chain, as well as confirmation once the spare part arrives at the vessel. This state-of-the-art online system will be launched on 1 July 2003.

"With complete visibility from source to destination, the customer remains at all times in full control of the operation and communication throughout the supply chain," Mr Steibelt adds.