Gulf Agency Qatar has obtained permission from the Ministry of Communications and Transport to operate as a fully fledged ship agent at Qatari ports.

This brings to an end the state monopoly on ship agency services that has been in force at the country's ports for more than two decades. The new open policy, which aims to raise standards of service offered to owners and operators, has been welcomed by the industry.

Since the late 1990s, the company has been offering its services as Owner's Representative. Its new status will result in direct savings for Principals as GAC will be able to confirm sole agency fees covering its entire gambit of services.

With immediate effect, GAC will offer full agency services at all Qatari ports, namely:
- Doha: general cargo, car carriers, containers and supply vessels
- Messaied: general cargo, car carriers, containers, hydro carbon tanker, chemical tanker, LPG tanker. Bulk sulphur, bulk urea, bulk ammonia, bulk steel and supply vessels
- Ras Laffan: LNG, general cargo, hydro carbon tanker, bulk sulphur and supply vessels
- Al Rayyan: hydro carbon tanker
- Halul: hydro carbon tanker

In January this year, Gulf Agency Qatar launched its own website, which gives details of the company's activities and services offered in Qatar. For more information, go to: www.gacqatar.com.

Contact details for GAC Qatar are as follows:
Gulf Agency Qatar
PO Box 6534
Doha
State of Qatar
Tel: +974-431 5222
Fax: +974-431 4222
E-mail: qatar.ops@gulfagencycompany.com

May 2, 2001

GAC opens for business at major Russian port

The Black Sea port of Novorossiysk is home to the latest addition to the GAC Group of Companies.

Since the break-up of the USSR, Novorossiysk has emerged as one of the most important ports in Russia. GAC has been providing agency attendance there - mostly to crude oil tankers - since July last year, through a local agent.

In preparation for the increase in traffic that is anticipated with the opening of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's SPM terminal in July 2001, GAC decided to establish its own office at the port.

Gulf Agency Company (Novorossiysk) C.J.S.C. officially opened for business in April 2001. As well as maintaining the existing tanker business, the company also provides services at the port's dry cargo berths, passenger terminal, timber port, fishing port and ship repair yard. Various cargo services, such as freight forwarding, cargo canvasssing and tonnage booking are also provided.

www.GAC Russia.com
As an added value information service, GAC Novorossiysk has launched its own website at: www.gacrussia.com. As well as details of the company and its operations, this site also gives information about the Sheskharis Oil Terminal and dry cargo ports covered by GAC Novorossiysk.

March 23, 2001

New P and I appointments

GAC companies have scored further successes by being appointed as correspondent for International Group P and I clubs.

The West of England P and I Club appointed GAC Yemen as their representative in Aden with effect from February 20, 2001. The Standard Club (managed by Charles Taylor and Co.) has also confirmed that it listed GAC Bahrain as correspondent with effect from the same date.

GAC represents International Group P and I Clubs in many ports throughout the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, West Africa and East Mediterranean. The latest appointments were the second and third respectively for GAC companies since the beginning of 2001.

March 21, 2001

GAC India opens office No.11

GAC India has opened its eleventh office, in the east coast port of Kakinada.

It was decided to set up the Kakinada office - which opened for business on March 16, 2001 - to handle tramp vessels (dry cargo and tankers) at the port. Contact details are as follows:

GAC Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd.,
Plot No: 13, 1st Floor, No: 3-20-2A, Near Akshra Public School,
Ramamohanraja Nagar,
Pallamaraju Nagar Main Road,
Kakinada - 533 003,
Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.
Tel/Fax: +91-884-361 744

All communications with the Kakinada office should be channelled through GAC India's head office in Cochin on: cochin.ops@gulfagencycompany.com.

January 15, 2001

More Power to GAC on India's East Coast

GAC has strengthened its presence on the east coast of India with the opening of a new office in Vishakhapatanam (Vizag) on January 15.

Vishakhapatanam, one of the country's 11 major ports, lies almost midway between Calcutta and Chennai. It has served a rich hinterland since the 1930s and has developed into a large multi-commodity port with a capacity of more than 30 million tonnes per year. It also boasts high output rates and a reputation for using new technology to keep apace with changing trends.

The port also has the advantage of being sheltered on either side of the entrance channel from the cyclones that lash the Indian east coast during the monsoon months.

GAC Vishakhapatanam will also attend to vessels at the neighbouring port of Kakinada. Contact details for the new office, GAC's tenth in India, are:

GAC Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd.,
101 & 102, Marine Enclave,
Ground Floor, 23-35-1, Main Road,
Vishakhapatanam 530 001,
Andhara Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91-891-737701-2,
Fax: +91-891-737688
E-mail: vishakhapatanam.ops@gulfagencycompany.com

After Office Hours
Branch Manager Lakshmi Kumar Mobile: +91-98481-91632/Home: +91-891-752325

An eleventh office will open its doors shortly, in Calcutta, also serving vessels at Haldia.

GAC's Indian operations, including the Group's existing offices in Cochin, Chennai, Kandla, Jamnagar, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Nhava Sheva, now directly serve all but a handful of the country's ports. Those not handled by a dedicated GAC office are supported by a network of reliable sub-agents.

For more information about GAC's operations in India, visit the local website: www.gacindia.com or contact the head office in Cochin on: cochin.operations@gulfagencycompany.com.

January 15, 2001

New P&I Appointment

GAC Bahrain started the year on a positive note by being appointed as commercial correspondent for the North of England P&I Association Ltd. for the 2001/2002 Policy Year.

The Club will include GAC Bahrain in its next List of Correspondents which is due to be published shortly.

January 15, 2001

US Cargo Representative Appointed

GAC Cargo has extended its sales network by appointing Robert P. Gennuso as its own dedicated representative in the United States.

Mr. Gennuso is based in New Jersey and reports directly to GAC East Asia Cargo Regional Office in Singapore. He will be responsible for route development programmes for existing USA freight partners as well as developing cooperation with new contacts in the US market.

Contact details are as follows:

GAC USA Representative - Cargo Services 16 Allison Court,
Edison, NJ 08820,
United States of America.
Tel: +1-908-754 8410
Fax: +1-908-755 3242
Email: gacusa@optonline.net

After Office Hours
Robert P. Gennuso Mobile: +1-908-338 0170

December 22, 2000

GAC and SIETCO sign deal for Singapore business

Gulf Agency Company (GAC) has successfully negotiated an agreement with Shell International Eastern Trading Company (SIETCO) to handle their shipping agency activities in Singapore with effect from 09 Feb 2001.

The GAC Group is one of the world's leading shipping and transport service organisations with offices in Europe, East Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and East Asia. For more information, visit the Group website: www.gulfagencycompany.com.

December 18, 2000

Customer focus prompt Shipping Marketing changes

Market developments and new growth opportunities have prompted changes to GAC's Marketing network.

With effect from January 1, 2001, a new Marketing area dedicated to the Middle East region will start operating from Dubai, with Ken Dinnadge assuming responsibility for the area in addition to his present duties as Business Manager, Dry Cargo.

In response to the growing significance of the UK shipping market, recent joiner Darren Martin will concentrate his efforts exclusively on the burgeoning UK and Ireland customer base. Claes Kjellberg will maintain the Group's focus on continental Europe, taking care of Principals in Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Croatia, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia.

November 24, 2000

Quality Trio complete in South Africa

GAC has completed its quality trio in South Africa, with ISO 9002 certification gained by its office in Richard's Bay, the world's largest coal terminal.

All GAC operations in the country now comply with ISO quality standards, as the offices in Cape Town and Durban received their certificates in October 1999.

Worldwide, the number of ISO 9002-certified GAC offices now totals 25.

November 8, 2000

Another first for GAC

GAC Dubai has scored a safety management first in the Middle East.

Certification society, Det Norske Veritas, presented the company with its Document of Compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code on September 27. This document covers GAC's Ships' Supply Service operations at Dubai, Fujairah and Mina Saqr.

GAC is the first, and to date only, agent in the region operating a ships' supply service to comply with the ISM Code. Safety Management certificates will soon be issued for GAC's supply boats.

GAC Dubai is the second GAC company to obtain ISM certification. GAC Marine received its certification in November 1998.

October 13, 2000

Andhika GAC gains ISO 9002 certification

GAC's Indonesian shipping operation has become the latest to join the ranks of Group companies with ISO 9002 certification.

Andhika GAC was presented with its certificate by classification society, Det Norske Veritas, in July this year.

GAC's goal is to have all Group companies certified. Andhika GAC's achievement brings the total to twenty-two.

October 11, 2000

STASCO Renews Hub Agency Contract

Gulf Agency Company (GAC) has renewed its hub agency contract with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO).

The agreement which originally began in January 1997 was re-negotiated this year and will run for a further 5 years.

GAC handles Shell vessels' calls at ports in the East Mediterranean, South, West and East Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and the Far East (excl. Japan and Korea).

Funding, administration and port call coordination is managed by GAC's hub agency centres in Athens, Dubai and Hong Kong on behalf of Shell, using GAC offices, and those of selected partner agents.

For more information about GAC's hub agency alliance programme contact marketing@gulfagencycompany.com.

September 15, 2000

East Asia Region Management Changes

To further strengthen GAC's organisation in East Asia, changes are being made to the Group's regional management.

With effect from November 1, 2000, Alan Mehew will take on the full-time responsibility as Marketing Manager for Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, P.D.R of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, North-East Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. He will be based in Bangkok and report to Lars P Heisselberg, Group Marketing Director.

Christer Sjodoff will move from his current post as GAC Qatar's General Manager to take over the dual function of Managing Director of GAC Singapore as well as Regional Manager Shipping Services, East Asia. He will report to Lars Safverstrom, President and Regional Director, East Asia.

Stafford Hayes has been appointed the new General Manager of GAC Qatar.

September 15, 2000

Andhika GAC Joins the Quality Club

GAC's Indonesian shipping operation has become the latest to join the ranks of Group companies with ISO 9002 certification.

Andhika GAC was presented with its certificate by classification society, Det Norske Veritas, in July this year.

The ISO 9002 system is an internationally recognised set of quality standards. Certification shows that a company has a defined and documented Quality Management System, which meets approved performance standards.

GAC's corporate goal is to have all Group companies certified. Andhika GAC's achievement brings the total to twenty-two.

August 8, 2000

Cruising on with GAC

GAC has established a dedicated task force to tackle the challenges presented by rapid growth and change in the cruise industry in recent years.

The profile of the average cruiser is changing, and the demand for cruises is reaching mass market levels.
Although the traditional older passenger, touring the Mediterranean or Caribbean, is still important, an increasing number of younger cruisers are seeking new, more exotic destinations. Statistics reveal that the average American cruise passenger is now only 46 years of age. The rise in the number of people opting for a vacation afloat also extends to the luxury end of the market.
To meet overall growth projections, 54 new cruise vessels are currently on order offering a total of 98,000 new berths. This represents an investment of USD 15.6 billion.
Operators are broadening their horizons and, throughout GAC's areas of operation, new cruise terminals are being developed. Dubai and Hong Kong are prime examples. Also, many state tourist authorities are establishing special cruise promotion teams.

GAC has recognised the potential of the non-traditional cruise destinations. This was demonstrated last year when GAC Jeddah handled the first ever call by a cruise ship carrying tourists other than pilgrims to a Saudi Arabian port. GAC now handles 30 per cent of all cruise calls at the Jordanian port of Aqaba. In the Far East, GAC will start handling cruise calls in Cambodia early next year.
The company already handles a number of cruise vessel calls, mostly at non-traditional ports, and expects the number to increase in line with the popularity of these new destinations.

To ensure an effective response to the increasing demand, GAC's cruise project team has recruited key staff from Greece, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, UK and USA. The team has already initiated a number of marketing projects to highlight the Group's cruise agency services, including:
* participation in the Miami Cruise convention
* representation at the Genoa Ferry and Cruise convention
in September this year
* a cruise agency promotion on both the GAC Group website (www.gulfagencycompany.com) and the Internet portal www.Cruise-Community.com
* major advertising mailouts to key individuals in the cruise industry, worldwide

As new opportunities and challenges arise in the cruise industry, GAC will ensure that operators in this rapidly growing sector are provided with the quality services for which the GAC Group is known worldwide.

June 15, 2000

Director of E-Business Development Appointed

Gulf Agency Company has appointed a Director of E-Business Development, demonstrating the Group's commitment to the digital marketplace.

With effect from June 15, 2000, Lars P. Heisselberg will oversee and direct the development of the Group's Internet-based activities, in order to firmly establish GAC as a digital pioneer within the shipping services and transportation industry. His new role is in addition to his existing responsibilities as Group Marketing Director.

The Director of E-Business Development will report directly to GAC's President, Lars Säfverström.

GAC's Corporate website: www.gulfagencycompany.com, is already much more than a simple presence on the WWW. In addition to a profile of the Group and its companies, services offered and contact details, the website also includes interactive features such as:
* HOT PORT NEWS: GAC's free information service providing the latest news of developments at ports around the world. This service is also available through e-mail subscription
* Bunker Price information
* Online Services: access to GAC's tailor-made programs for Online Logistics Tracking and Ships' Supply Services.

GAC's Internet applications, including the website, are continuously evolving, with new features constantly under development in a bid to better serve the industry.

May 26, 2000

Global Agency Alliance Deals

The clinching of GAC's first worldwide port agency alliance deals has established the Group as a truly global partner.

Contracts were signed in May with Exmar and Tankers International, appointing GAC to provide global port call and funding management through its Hub Agency Centres in Athens, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Exmar is part of the Belgian CMB group, and is owner/operator of a fleet of 45 gas tankers.

Tankers International is a newly established tanker pool formed by first class tanker owners, currently operating a modern fleet of 47 VLCCs.

Lars Heisselberg, Group Marketing Director, says that GAC is committed to and believes in the benefits of agency alliances for Principals and agents.

"The two new alliance contracts firmly place GAC at the forefront of alliance concept developments," he added.
"This achievement demonstrates the professional interaction between GAC's hub and Marketing teams, and is a tribute to their hard work to meet and consistently exceed the expectations of our Principals."

May 2000

Commitment to Quality Continues into the New Millennium

GAC's ISO 9002 success continues into the twenty-first century, with certification of companies in Jordan, Ras Al Khaimah, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

In January, Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance presented Gulf Agency Company (Jordan) W.L.L. with their ISO 9002 certificate. In the same month, Gulf Agency Company (Ras Al Khaimah) L.L.C. received their certificate from Det Norske Veritas.

In March, two more companies joined the ranks of GAC's ISO 9002-certified group. Gulf Agency (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. received its certificate from Bureau Veritas Quality International and Gulf Agency Company Saudi Arabia received its from Det Norske Veritas.

These latest achievements bring the number of ISO 9002 certified companies in the GAC Group to twenty-one.

April 18, 2000

GAC Dubai's Key Role in New Shipping Association

GAC Dubai's key position in the local shipping community has been witnessed by its inclusion in the executive committee of the newly formed Shipping Agency Association of Dubai.

The association has been formed to represent multinational shipping lines operating and serving the region's ports, and GAC Dubai is one of its founding members.

In a bid to consolidate the partnership between the private sector and Dubai's Government, the representatives of the Shipping Agency Association, including GAC Dubai's Business Manager, Ken Dinnadge, met with His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Defence Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai in March.

Sheikh Mohammed said that Dubai's shipping fraternity was responsible for the further development of shipping business, and that the new Association would lead this initiative into the new millennium.

April 11, 2000

Record Breakers!

Cargo handling records have tumbled at the port of Kandla - and GAC Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd. was part of the team that made it possible.

On February 11, 8,758 tonnes of fertiliser were discharged from the M/V "APJ Sushma", the biggest tonnage ever unloaded from a vessel at the port in a single day.

GAC Kandla acted as agent for the ship, which was carrying a total cargo of almost 26,000 tonnes.

In recognition of the part GAC played in achieving this all-time high, Kandla Port Trust has presented the company with a certificate lauding its performance.

Jan Farnelid, GAC India's Managing Director, commended the Kandla office's achievement, which he felt sure they would strive to surpass.

February 3, 2000

GAC reaches double figures in India

The west coast port of Mangalore became the home of GAC's tenth office in India when doors were opened for business on February 1 this year. The expansion into Mangalore was in response to the port trust's extension plan and an anticipated increase in calls at the recently expanded Mangalore Refinery.

Mangalore lies halfway between Cochin and Mumbai, where GAC already has well-established offices. Mangalore port is well protected from the open sea and facilities include ten berths, seven for general cargo plus an iron ore berth, an oil jetty and a crude oil jetty. There are plans in place to add eight dry cargo berths, two more oil jetties and a coal berth.

All international communications with GAC Mangalore should be routed through the company's head office in Cochin.

February 3, 2000

An ISO First in Africa

GAC scored its first ISO 9002 success in Africa when GAC Shipping (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd. in Cape Town and Durban, and GAC Bunker Fuels (South Africa) Pty Ltd., achieved certification.

The certificate was presented by Magne Bjellebo of Det Norske Veritas (DNV) South Africa to GAC Bunkers Fuels' Brian Turnbull, as well as David Beneke and David Hitchman of GAC Cape Town, in November last year.

David Hitchman, GAC South Africa's Managing Director, said it was largely due to the driving force and enthusiasm of David Beneke, that ISO 9002 certification was achieved just eighteen months after the company was established.

January 17, 2000

GAC brings Africa into its regional structure

In response to business growth, the Gulf Agency Company has set up an African region to cover the Group's expanding activities in Angola, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.

This brings the number of GAC's regions to five, the other four being the Middle East, East Mediterranean, East Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

These regions together provide shipping and transportation services on four continents and serve the needs of more than 7,000 Principals. The new African region has its headquarters in Alexandria.

GAC first set foot in Africa in the early 1960s when it entered the Egyptian market. Nationalisation of shipping agency services soon forced the company to close and the Six Day War and subsequent closure of the Suez Canal kept operations at a low level. However, in 1979, with ships once more steaming through the Canal, the Group set up its Suez Canal Transit Service, based in Athens. In 1995, GAC Egypt was established in readiness for the reopening of the country's ports to private shipping agency services. Privatisation came into effect three years later and GAC Egypt is now a thriving business, with busy offices in Alexandria, Cairo, Port Said and Suez.

The Group has been active in sub-Saharan Africa for more than 20 years, going back to the birth of Gulf Agency and Shipping (Nigeria) Ltd in 1978. This company is now a leading agency organisation in West Africa, with 130 staff in nine offices.

Further expansion came in 1998, when new companies were set up in South Africa and Angola. The Angolan operation initially dealt with the country's crude oil agency business but is now expanding into dry cargo.

In South Africa, two branch offices opened within just nine months of the establishment of the Cape Town head office and GAC's South Africa bunker operation covers all the country's ports, as well as others in East and West Africa.

The new region's founding Director, Hakan Granander, who also heads the Indian subcontinent Region, says African maritime trade has witnessed tremendous development in recent years and the development is ongoing.

"Africa has great potential for growth in all aspects of shipping and transportation and we are looking forward to an expanding future in the region, in partnership with our Principals," he says.

"GAC's other regions have set benchmarks for the delivery of high quality, cost-effective services to Principals, and in Africa we will be both maintaining and improving on these high standards."

Contact details for GAC's Africa Regional Office are:

GULF AGENCY COMPANY REGIONAL OFFICE - AFRICA P.O.B. 85, ALEXANDRIA 2111, Egypt

Street Address: 22 Bani El Abbassi Street,
Pharana, Bab Shark

Phone: (20-3) 484 0256
Fax: (20-3) 484 8480
E-Mail: africa.region@gulfagencycompany.com

After Office Hours
Regional Director
Håkan Granander 542 8150, mobile: (20-12) 316 4674

December 1999

GAC Athens Operations Section (GAOS)

GAC Athens' co-ordinating office for Suez Canal Transits has joined forces with the recently established regional Hub Agency Centre (HAC), to form the GAC Athens Operations Section (GAOS). This new department encompasses the Suez Canal Transit Service (SCTS) as well as the HAC, which co-ordinates operations throughout Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Africa. With immediate effect, all correspondence from this section will be signed "GAOS-SCTS" or "GAOS-HAC", respectively. The term "GAC East Med" is no longer in use.

November 1999

More ISO 9002 Success for GAC

Gulf Agency Co. (Lebanon) Ltd. has become the eighteenth company within the GAC Group to achieve ISO 9002 certification. Simon Bejjani, GAC Lebanon's Managing Director was presented with the certificate in October by Simon Tawileh, President of certification society Societe Generale de Surveillance (Liban) (SGS).

November 1999

No.1 in Muscat!

Gulf Agency Co. (Oman) has been named Muscat's top shipping agent by the country's Port Services Corporation. In recognition of the company's outstanding contribution to business at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, Bengt Ekstrand, GAC Oman's General Manager, was presented with a special award by Dr. Khamis Mubarak Al-Alawi, Minister of Municipalities and Environment, on October 10, 1999.

Saud Al-Nahari, President of Port Services Corporation, and Eardley Rebello, GAC Shipping Manager, also attended the ceremony.