GAC continues to anchor itself as one of the world’s top hub shipping agents servicing the needs of global shipping with recent signings in Germany and Oman.

In Europe, one of Germany’s largest ship owners, ER Schiffahrt GmbH & Cie, and in the Middle East, Oman’s Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC), have inked deals with GAC to take advantage of the group’s innovative hub services. GAC Shipping handles over 30,000 port calls per year worldwide.
Under its hub agency agreement, ER Schiffahrt GmbH & Cie has entrusted GAC with its crew changes, spare parts handling and delivery of cash to master through its network of sub-agents along the West African coast since February 2006. The Dubai Hub Agency Centre and GAC’s Global Disbursement Centre, also based in Dubai, handle administrative and financial aspects of port calls – from supervision to final disbursement account control and fund handling.
Founded in 1998, ER Schiffahrt is today a service provider for large liner companies worldwide. With its fleet currently totaling 77 ships - in service and under construction - and a total capacity of about 350,000 teu, E R Schiffahrt has quickly developed into a major player in international container shipping.
ER Schiffahrt is the product of a strong tradition dating back to 1834 when Rickmer Clasen Rickmers opened a shipyard in Bremerhaven, followed by a shipowning company and one of Europe’s largest rice mills in Europe. Today, fifth-generation family members continue this tradition by creating new shipping and shipping-related ventures.
Since January this year, GAC’s hub services team has been at the tiller for Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC) vessels at ports throughout Europe and in the Suez Canal.
Under the hub services deal with OSMC, GAC is responsible for the professional handling of its vessels’ calls at European ports as well as their smooth transit through the Suez Canal. This entails voyage monitoring, port call and transit supervision, proforma and final disbursement account control and funds management.
OSMC is a subsidiary of Oman Shipping Company (OSC). A closed joint stock company, the Government of Oman owns 80 per cent of its shares and Oman Oil Company (OOC) owns the remaining 20 per cent. OSC plays an active role in the global LNG (liquefied natural gas) market, using its fleet to export Omani products and develop the country’s shipping industry.
OSMC is responsible for the management of a number of vessels, including the ‘Sohar LNG’, ‘Muscat LNG’, ‘Salalah LNG’ and ‘Nizwa LNG’. Two more vessels, the ‘Ibra LNG’ and ‘Ibri LNG’ are expected to be delivered by mid-2006. A seventh LNG carrier will join its fleet in mid-2008.  Capt Matthias Imrecke, general manager of GAC’s Global Hub Services, says that through its handling of OSMC vessels, his team once again demonstrates its expertise in the global LNG market, assisting LNG carriers for numerous producers, importers and vessel operators in all aspects of port operation and voyage management.
 “These two recent wins for GAC Shipping in the LNG tanker and container ship arenas, reflect the growing confidence of various fleet owners in our capability to bring benefits to their overall operations through our hub offerings,” he added.