GAC Shipping expands agency network to U.K.

GAC Shipping expands agency network to U.K.

   GAC Shipping, provider of global port and hub agency services, has expanded its agency network to include the United Kingdom following the signing of an alliance agreement with OBC Shipping Ltd.

   Stockton on Tees, U.K.-based OBC specializes in ship agency services to all types of dry bulk carriers, tankers and other tramp vessels at ports and terminals throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

   “There is a rising import demand for dry bulk commodities such as coal, agriculture bulk and forest products. Our timely partnership with OBC enables us to meet the surge in demand for port and ship agency services, particularly for dry bulk carriers as well as in the rapidly growing LNG sector,” said Lars P. Heisselberg, vice president, shipping services for the GAC Group.

   GAC Shipping’s global network agents include Oceania Maritime Services (covering Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands), Unipros (Korea), Kudrat Maritime (Malaysia), Wilford & McKay (Panama), Vensport (Venezuela), Ultramar Network (Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay), Wilson & Sons (Brazil) and Seaforth (East Africa). Rice, Unruh, Reynolds & Co. (U.S. East and Gulf coasts), once a member of the global agency network, was acquired by GAC earlier this year.