MUSCAT -- Oman Ship Management Company SAOC (OSMC), a subsidiary of the state owned Oman Shipping Company (OSC), has inked deals with GAC to take advantage of the latter's innovative hub services. Since January this year, GAC's Hub Services team has been at the tiller for 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's parent company Oman Shipping Company (OSC) is a closed joint stock company owned 80 per cent by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and 20 per cent by Oman Oil Company.
OSC plays an active role in the global LNG 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 their expertise in the global LNG market, assisting LNG carriers for numerous producers, importers and vessel operators in all aspects of the 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. The GAC Group (GAC) is the world's largest independent shipping, logistics and marine services provider, with over 230 offices worldwide. Established in 1956, GAC's core business covers three key areas shipping, logistics and marine services. GAC employs more than 6,500 people worldwide.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
