GAC Marine Logistics aims to be the world's leading provider of ship spares logistics by its 10th anniversary. It recently expanded its Asia operations by establishing a new team in Singapore led by Kenneth Bybjerg. This will allow the company to better serve clients in Asia seeking global sourcing of ship spares. GAC Marine Logistics is also planning further expansions in Hong Kong and Europe. The company has experienced strong yearly revenue growth, including 80% in the first half of 2006, due to its specialized expertise and network provided by collaborating with other GAC business units.

1. GAC WRAP page 13
GAC Marine Logistics has set its sights
high. The three-year-old company aims
to be the world’s undisputed leader in
ship spares logistics before its tenth
birthday, says Managing Director Chris
Steibelt.
Asian moves…
GML’s latest growth chapter unfolded
recently when it doubled in size by
forming a 14-strong team under the
GML Asia banner.
Kenneth Bybjerg, formerly GAC
Singapore’s Logistics Manager is GML
Asia’s first Director. The new outfit
brings together the skills of the existing
GAC Singapore ship spares team, who
handle locally-based business, with that
of GML, catering to Asia-based owners
and ship management companies
sourcing globally.
The move is a direct response to
increasing demand for time-definite
ship spares delivery, says Chris.
Clients now have a single point
of contact for all ship spares as well as
access to a wider range of services from
local collection and customs clearance
through to offshore delivery and
warehousing.
and Global grooves …
GML is continuing its brisk
development with expansion plans
for Hong Kong and Holland in the
pipeline.
“Since our launch, GML has had
yearly revenue increases – including
80% in the first half of 2006, compared
to the same period last year,” says
Chris. “To maintain this momentum,
we will forge ahead with expansions
in key markets. This is the blueprint for
fulfilling our goal to be the premium
service provider in the field.”
Success factor
Chris says that teamwork and support
from GAC colleagues are critical to
sustaining GML’s performance.
The core of GML’s pioneering
concept is bringing together expert
GAC is a full service provider
for Swedish navy ships calling
at foreign ports. We cover
hub agency, bunkers, centralised
accounting etc. It was therefore only
logical that the navy would choose
to use GML for the Mediterranean
sea trial of its newest ship - a stealth
Corvette, HMS Helsingborg, made from
advanced composite materials.
A consignment of spares had
to be shipped from Karlskrona in
southern Sweden to rendezvous with
the vessel en route to Spain.
The pick up was relatively easy
but delivery was trickier – should we
intercept the vessel in Vigo, Cadiz or
Cartagens? GML evaluated the options
and determined the most expedient
route was for on-deck delivery in Cadiz.
Through our network, GML shipped
High ambitions
GML on track to be world’s best
Kristofer Andren, GAC Shipping Marketing Manager on how
GML’s work with the Swedish Navy
the spares to Madrid and then
worked closely with our new Global
Network Alliance partner, GAC-Aarus,
(see story page 6) to ensure the safe
delivery.
The Swedish Naval officers
were happy that by merely sending
a simple email to GAC, they would
receive the spares on time through
the GAC network.
As for my part, providing a mini
hub and contact point with the Navy,
the rapid and clear communication
provided by GML enabled me to
focus on getting the job
done with regard to all parts
of our service agreement.
people in ship agency, marine/
offshore support, and logistics services
to offer a specialised product.
“Time and time again, that
formula proves successful,” says Chris.
“Our clients recognize and value our
wealth of knowledge and expertise,
and several have said that it is for
those time-sensitive or difficult jobs
that they instantly turn to GML,
knowing that we will deliver the
service required to get the job done.
“Often these spot jobs lead to
work for GAC’s Shipping Services as
well as Marine Services.
“Referrals of business
opportunities from our shipping
colleagues have been invaluable.
“As a Group, this cross-
marketing broadens our services. It
adds value to them and increases
the satisfaction of our customers.
Achieving even greater synergy with
the Shipping and Marine will be thus
a major driver for our growth.”

2. The Global Purchasing Unit’s Richard
Mallen is based in Bangkok (see story
page 12), but his thinking is global.
Ever keen to build staff awareness
about GAC’s operations and its
customers, Richard devised a general
knowledge quiz. And he sweetened
the contest with a prize of 1,000
Thai Baht (about USD25) for the top
performer.
Richard’s Quiz Triumph
So it was that Ms. Marisa Kornnanan
of Key Accounts took the main prize.
In second place was Ms.Prapasirin
Jarinthong from Sales and joint
third place went to Ms. Pongtip
Vanijchakorn from Key Accounts
& Ms.Skaoluck Chotirutrungsee
from Sales. Interesting to note the
dominance of women in the quiz.
If you think a quiz is a good idea,
talk to Richard about his or invent
your own.
GAC WRAPpage 14
Moves &
Appointments
Group Project Logistics:
Laurance Langdon
Group Project Logistics
Manager, based in Hong
Kong.
Previously:
Route Manager, Asia/USA
at GAC Hong Kong.
GAC Marine Logistics - Asia:
Kenneth Bybjerg
Director -Asia, based in
Singapore.
Previously:
Logistics Manager, GAC
Singapore.
GAC Dubai:
Matthew Diggle
Business Manager
– Freight Services.
Previously:
Business Development
Manager for UPS (UAE)
L.L.C.
GAC Hong Kong:
Dennis Lee Shipping
Manager, covering
Hong Kong and ports in
Southern China.
Previously:
Operations Manager for
GAC Hong Kong.
Clement Chua
Sales Manager, based in
Singapore.
Previously:
Worked in sales and
marketing for an offshore
company providing
services to the oil & gas
industry.
Kelvin Tan
Assistant Manager -
Customer Service, based in
Singapore.
Previously:
Business Development
Manager in freight
forwarding with
experience in
international logistics.
GAC Bunker Fuels, South Africa:
Jacqui Taylor
Bunker Manager.
Previously:
Bunker Trader for GAC
Bunker Fuels, South Africa.
GAC Shanghai
Capt. Thomas Tan
Shipping Manager,
covering ports in Central
and Northern China.
Previously:
Marine & Safety
Superintendent for GBLT
Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd.
GAC India:
Capt. Vivek Prabhakar Rao
Deputy Operations
Manager, Mumbai.
Previously:
Master on general cargo
vessels.
Gracias Devar
Business Manager –
Logistics Services, India.
Previously: Business
Development Manager for
GAC Mumbai.